2. Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Rebecca
T he wedding is beautiful. I feel lucky to have been invited, not just because it’s a large event, but because it’s the illustrious Bakers.
I haven’t been working at Three Sticks for long, but everyone in town talks about them in reverent tones. There’s a long-standing history about the family that I’m not privy to yet, but the few weeks I’ve worked for them has been great.
It’s a bit of a drive from my parents' house, two hours in each direction, but they’ve been willing to work with me and not schedule me to do a close and then open the next morning.
My parents think I’m crazy for doing the drive so frequently, but I wanted to have a solid start at a job before classes start in two weeks. Once I’m in my dorm, it’ll be a much shorter commute.
Tasha, my roommate from last year that carried into this year, has questioned my sanity for taking a job in such a small town, instead of somewhere right in Pineville City. She doesn’t even understand why I got a job to begin with.
Last year, she blew through her money, calling her parents every few weeks, asking for more. It was hard for me to not partake in a lot of the activities, as my funds were more limited. Plus, it brought up a lot of feelings that threw me back into childhood. I decided I needed some extra cash for when what I have from my parents runs dry.
Three Sticks has a reputation that precedes it and wanting to be a business owner myself, it seemed like a logical place to work and learn.
And so far, I’ve learned that the Baker sisters are badasses. Not only did they open their own café in their twenties, that they are completely rocking, but they’re getting married and building families. They’re shining examples that you can have it all.
That’s what I want out of life. The family, the loved ones to come home to, and financial security. While I had the loving family, the financial aspect left much to be desired.
Despite the beauty of the event and the air-conditioning blowing at full blast, it’s warm and stuffy in here, and I need a moment of fresh air.
The other girls I work with are all lovely, even if I don’t know them very well yet. We all sat together for dinner, but now that it’s dancing time, they’re out on the floor with their neighbors and friends. Though I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if I joined them, part of me feels like I’m infiltrating an inner circle, since I’m not a Juniper Grove resident.
Instead, I walk through the double doors and out onto the patio, leaning over the railing to look out at the gardens below. It’d be a beautiful place for a ceremony, but it seems that my boss and her new husband decided to be wed at city hall.
Wrapping my hands around the metal bar in front of me, I tip my upper half backwards and point my face to the sky. It’s sparkling and speckled with glittering stars. You can see so much more of the sky out here than you can in Pineville City. Even more than at home, which isn’t that much bigger of a town than Juniper Grove. It’s breathtaking.
With a small shake of my head and a smile pulling up my lips, I close my eyes and count to three before opening them back up and letting them land on a single star.
“I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish, I wish tonight.” It’s something I used to do when I was a little girl, make a wish on the first star I saw.
I wish for happiness and success like the Bakers.
It’s not until a throat clears behind me that I jump, pressing a hand to my chest.
Arguably the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on holds his hands up in peace while one corner of his mouth ticks. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.”
Though my lips part to respond, I’m tongue tied, unable to tear my gaze from his broad shoulders and dark brown eyes.
“So, what’d you wish for?” He takes a step closer, then leans against the railing a mere two feet from me.
I tuck a copper curl behind my ear as I look at the ground, my cheeks heating before meeting his eyes again. “Oh, well, if I tell you, it won’t come true.”
“Very good point. We wouldn’t want that, now would we.” When he smirks at me again, my heart patters.
Not sure what to say, but not wanting him to leave my bubble, I say the first thing that comes to mind. “Nice wedding.”
“One of the best I’ve been to in recent years.” His attention flicks from me to the gardens below. While I don’t know him, I can tell something is weighing heavily on his mind.
It’s the way his shoulders slump and his mouth presses into a firm line. And his eyes look almost…sad.
“How do you know the couple?” It’s what everybody talks about at a wedding, right?
With a tight smile, he turns back to me, his dark brown gaze rolling over my frame as his eyebrows bunch. “I haven’t seen you around before. Juniper Grove is fairly small to not know a pretty face.”
My pulse flutters. “Oh, um, that’s because I live in Marigold Park.”
He seems pleased with the answer and nods slowly. Though part of me is wanting him to ask why, to figure out what I’m doing here.
Instead, he cocks his head to the side and extends a hand. “I’m Eli.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Eli short for something?”
He lifts a shoulder, but keeps his hand stretched toward me. “Let’s keep it simple. Just first names. Or nicknames, as the case may be.”
Delicately, I place my hand in his. “Bex.” A tingle crawls through my extremities as our skin touches.
A slight ‘hm’ draws my focus to his face, and I realize that I’m still holding his hand like an idiot and quickly let it go, pulling on a lock of hair as I clear my throat. I’m not usually easily intimidated. Nor do I tend to make a fool of myself. But something about Eli has my tongue twisting and my brain unable to put together a coherent thought.
There’s a loud uproar from inside, and Eli looks toward the ballroom with a sideways glance before turning back to me.
“You know, I was just thinking of getting out of here. Been a long day. Any chance you’d like to join me?”
When I don’t answer, he cants his head to the side and smiles warmly.
Maybe I’m making an assumption that all he wants is to have sex. It seems very forward with somebody you just met. While it’s not like me to have a one-night stand, I could certainly do worse than Eli. And maybe I should have a little fun, especially before my nose is buried in books.
“Hm. I’m not sure. My mother did teach me not to talk to strangers, let alone go places with them.” I have to tease a little, if only to ease my own nerves. And maybe to give myself time to come to terms with doing this.
His eyes narrow and a smile creeps across his face, making his eyes crinkle. “I thought we just introduced ourselves. So, technically, not a stranger.” But the smile quickly drops from his face as he looks at the ground and shuffles his feet. “I’m just not sure I can go back in there, and I could use somebody to talk to. And if that’s not you, that’s okay too. Just figured I’d ask.”
Soulful brown eyes latch onto mine, and I’m momentarily breathless. There’s hurt haunting this man. And even though the only things I know about him are his name and his incredible attractiveness, a large part of me wants to not only learn more about him but help soothe that pain.
Pushing his hands into his pockets, he shrugs and turns on his heel to walk away.
“Wait! Eli. Yes. I’d like to talk more.” And if it becomes something else, I can always say no and walk away. I don’t know more than his name. And because of that, I’ll likely never run into him again. So, what harm could it do?
There’s a warmth that emanates from him when he looks over his shoulder at me, his eyes glinting. He reaches behind him and extends a hand in my direction.
With a deep breath, I take the few steps toward him and link my fingers with his, letting him lead me away from the ruckus behind us and into the main part of the venue.