Chapter 19 Lily #2
“Which is good, because I’m not ready to make a decision yet. And I said this to Gabe, too, but I’m putting a pause on talking about the building until the end of the month.”
That was the exact thing I didn’t want to hear.
I didn’t want more time—I wanted to know who Hal was going to sell the building to.
And this conversation added additional worry I didn’t expect.
I was still in the running to own the building, but my chances didn’t seem as good as I initially thought.
What should have been a no brainer was something Hal was actively considering.
“Lily,” Hal said gently. “Trust me on this. When have I ever steered you wrong?”
He must’ve read the disappointment on my face.
I never was very good at keeping my feelings hidden.
I let out a sigh, lifting my gaze to meet his.
I honestly couldn’t think of a single moment.
I’m sure there were little things here and there—Hal was human, after all—but nothing that came to mind immediately. “Never,” I muttered.
“I always have your best interests in mind. I promise. I think you’ll see that if you let yourself enjoy the journey.”
“How’s your winter wish list coming along, Lily?
” Jules asked, shaking red pepper flakes onto her pizza slice.
Eliza, Jules, and I tried to get together at least once a week to watch a movie and catch up, even when our schedules were hectic.
Tonight, we were watching The Holiday, which was one of my and Jules’s favorites.
Eliza had never seen it. Thankfully, that was changing.
I let out a sigh, setting the slice on my plate and picking up my glass of wine.
Eliza and Jules both laughed.
“Well, I think I got my answer,” Jules said, shaking her head.
I swallowed my gulp of wine and wiped the corner of my mouth.
“Maybe that was a little dramatic. It’s…
” I paused, thinking through what I wanted to say.
“It’s going okay. Honestly, I’ve enjoyed getting to know Gabe more, when he lets me in.
He seems…” I twisted my lips to the side.
“Very guarded, and I think it has to do with his dad or work. Both, maybe. When we’ve let our guards down, things have been good.
We actually work pretty well together. But I don’t think we trust each other, and how can we? We’re on opposing sides.”
I got up from the couch and walked over to where my purse was, shuffling through the bag to pull out my list. I plopped back down on the couch and handed the list to Jules and Eliza to look. “We’ve done three things, but that leaves seven.”
“Well,” Jules started, “what if the next thing you did was get dinner together at Pasta Fresca? That might be a good opportunity for you to get to know each other and come up with a game plan to tackle the rest of the list.”
Eliza nodded in agreement. “Plus, you deserve to treat yourself. You hired help for the café—something you’ve been talking about for months. That’s such a big accomplishment, Lil, and worth celebrating.”
I looked at both of my friends and couldn’t believe how lucky I’d gotten to have two incredible women supporting me, cheering me on, and helping me celebrate my wins.
“You two are the best. I appreciate the reminder to celebrate. It’s so easy for me to skip ahead to the next thing that needs to be done. ”
Although I wished I could celebrate at my favorite restaurant with my best friends, I started to get excited about the idea of getting dinner with Gabe as friendly rivals.
There was one item on the list that was causing me more anxiety than the rest. My eyes zeroed in on number six: romantic kiss under the mistletoe that takes my breath away.
We didn’t have to do that one, right? I took another sip of wine to calm my nerves.
“Now, that’s a good kiss,” Eliza said before taking a bite of pizza. On the screen, the iconic kiss between Cameron Diaz and Jude Law’s characters played out.
“So good, but not as good as my kisses with Wes,” Jules said in a daze.
I rolled my eyes, although I couldn’t help the smile on my face.
Wes and Jules were so in love and perfect for each other.
I was obsessed with them together, especially because I’d never seen my brother this happy before.
His face lit up and his eyes always followed her when she walked into a room. It was like no one else existed.
“You two are so in love it’s sickening.” Eliza shook her head, but I could see the tiny smile on her lips.
“Although, he’s been way more chill at work ever since the two of you got together, so no arguments here.
I’m happy for you both, really. It’s just the whole being in love thing… well, I don’t think it’s for me.”
Eliza might have claimed to not care about falling in love—and to not be looking for it—but she had a soft side. She was like a mini cactus: prickly but adorable. She’d hate being called adorable, but…I was her best friend, which gave me immunity.
“That all might change when you meet the right person.” Jules used her elbow to nudge Eliza’s side. “Your soulmate is out there. I know it. For both of you.” Jules looked between us.
“Considering the last few guys I dated wouldn’t be able to find my clit if it slapped them in the face…my hopes are not high.” Leave it to Eliza to put it bluntly.
I snorted, and Jules let out a laugh.
I wanted to believe Jules, but I had my doubts that kind of love was out there for me. And it wasn’t like I had time to find him, which was part of the reason I was in this situation with Gabe. I had my café, I had my cats, I had my family. That was enough for now. Love would come later.
I did wonder what it felt like, though. To fall in love.
To be in love. While I’d dated here and there, none of it was that all-consuming, life-altering feeling.
I wasn’t sure if it was even out there for me.
Maybe some people got it and others didn’t.
Jules and Wes got it. My parents got it.
As long as those around me got it, that would be okay.
At least I’d know it was real, even if it wasn’t in the cards for me.
“Oh my god,” Eliza blurted, “I almost forgot.” She reached over for the remote to pause the movie.
“What?” Jules and I both responded, eyes wide.
“I think Cooper was talking to Jade on the phone today. In between the poker games, he went to the back hallway, and I had to walk past him to grab more limes and lemons from the fridge. I couldn’t make out much of the conversation, but he definitely said her name and something about how they can’t keep avoiding each other. ”
Jade and I were close growing up, but she spent a lot of her time with Cooper and Wes, who were two years older than her.
Them being closer in age—whereas I was six years younger than Jade—meant they spent a lot of time together.
Jade and Cooper always seemed close, up until she left after college and moved to California.
Everything changed after that, but she never said anything to me, regardless of how many times I tried to subtly ask.
Whatever happened, they’d kept it so close to their chests that there was no gossip around town that I was aware of.
“So there is something going on between them?” Jules asked. “I could’ve sworn I picked up on it over the summer when you FaceTimed Jade during the first family dinner I was at.”
I nodded at the memory. “Yeah, that was super awkward. But I have no clue if there’s still something going on. I mean, there was at some point, right?”
“There had to have been,” Eliza agreed. “Is Jade coming home for Christmas?”
“No, my mom said she has to work, and it’s not like she’s been picking up my calls,” I grumbled. “Do you think that’s what they were talking about?”
Eliza shrugged. “It’s possible. Either way, she has to visit at some point, right? I mean, it’s been a few years since she’s been in town.”
I was painfully aware of how long it’d been since Jade had been in Golden Falls. My sister and I kept in touch here and there over text and FaceTime, but I still missed her.
I was proud of her and knew how much she’d dreamed of getting out of town to travel and pursue her career. I never wanted her to worry about us or visit because she thought we needed it. I wanted her to visit because she wanted to.
As proud of her as I was, I felt like she had forgotten about us or thought less of Wes and me for not getting out of Golden Falls. She’d never said anything to make me feel that way, but I wondered.
Once the comfortable silence fell over us, Eliza reached for the remote again, resuming the movie. “How is this going to work out between them? I mean, their homes are on opposite sides of the world.”
Jules and I shared a knowing look with a smile, watching as Eliza, who started out the least invested, was glued to the screen.
“Guess you’ll have to keep watching,” I taunted playfully at the same time Jules said, “Because love always finds a way.”
From: Lily Richards
To: Gabriel Nelson
Date: Saturday, December 18, 1:27 p.m.
Subject: Dinner at Pasta Fresca
Hi Gabe!
Hope you’re having a good Saturday. Would you want to get dinner with me at Pasta Fresca tomorrow evening? We can check off another thing on the list and make a plan for the rest.
Let me know what you think.
- Lily
From: Gabriel Nelson
To: Lily Richards
Date: Saturday, December 18, 1:39 p.m.
Subject: Re: Dinner at Pasta Fresca
Lily,
I’d like that. It’s a date. Let me know what time I should pick you up.
Hope you’re having a nice Saturday, too.
- Gabe
From: Gabriel Nelson
To: Lily Richards
Date: Saturday, December 18, 1:41 p.m.
Subject: Re: Dinner at Pasta Fresca
And by date I meant our plans are set. Not like a romantic date. I’m sure a date with you would be pleasant, but that’s not what we’re doing.
From: Lily Richards
To: Gabriel Nelson
Date: Saturday, December 18, 1:50 p.m.
Subject: Dinner at Pasta Fresca
Right! I knew what you meant. It’s plans between two friendly rivals! Totally normal!! Nothing to be anxious about!
And you don’t have to pick me up. Let’s meet at the restaurant!
From: Gabriel Nelson
To: Lily Richards
Date: Saturday, December 18, 1:55 p.m.
Subject: Re: Dinner at Pasta Fresca
You might’ve exceeded the amount of exclamation marks allowed in one email.
From: Lily Richards
To: Gabriel Nelson
Date: Saturday, December 18, 2:00 p.m.
Subject: Dinner at Pasta Fresca
No, I didn’t!!! There’s no such thing as too many!!!!
Wouldn’t kill you to use one once in a while.
From: Gabriel Nelson
To: Lily Richards
Date: Saturday, December 18, 2:03 p.m.
Subject: Re: Dinner at Pasta Fresca
It might.
From: Lily Richards
To: Gabriel Nelson
Date: Saturday, December 18, 2:05 p.m.
Subject: Dinner at Pasta Fresca
!!!!!!!!!!