32. Welcome Back
Courtney
Ianxiously readjust my stance, tamping down the ice below my boots and staring back at the man I have simultaneously loved and hated through tiny dancing flurries. My mind races a million miles an hour and when the dust settles seconds later I’m left with the realization that Kashvi was wrong about me, I don’t belong in Havenwood. I belong wherever Finn Abernathy is and that answer rings out like truth in my ears. Seeing him again reaffirms every feeling I have for him and sends my heart into a tailspin, my tongue practically ties itself as I decide what to say to him.
“Courtney?” His icy blues are wide as I watch his entire body lock up at the sight of me. Is that a bad thing? Did I come in vain? I take a beat to calm my landsliding thoughts, running through deep breathing exercises I learned in therapy.
I offer a timid smile as my response. I had had dreams and nightmares about this exact moment, about the day I would see Finn again. In my dreams, he had been happy to see me and in my nightmares had rejected me completely, still scathed from me running away on Halloween night. This time it’s real and I’m terrified, knowing I can’t wake up if I don’t like his response.
“It’s great,” I offer, testing my voice. I tick my head behind me at the four-foot obelisk of marble.
“The memorial for Martha, it’s beautiful.” We both take a few subconscious steps closer to one another. We can try to argue that it’s to hear one another better but we both know it’s the magnetic pole between us, each of our magnets singing to one another, pulling us to each other.
“I..” He shakes his head slowly in disbelief, keeping his sights on me as if afraid that I’m a mirage that will disappear if he dares to blink.
“I never thought I’d see you again. At least not here in Havenwood.” He adds on.
“What does that mean?” I ask, still unable to fully gauge his reaction.
He reaches into the left pocket of his trench coat and retrieves a rectangular slip of paper, a boarding pass. The sight of the physical boarding pass causes me to giggle, proof that the mayor is as stuck in his old-fashioned ways as ever. He extends the flimsy piece of paper towards me and I accept it, making extra sure I don’t accidentally brush his fingers with my own as I do.
I look over the slip, a grin creeping onto my face as I read the flight details.
“Logan International to LAX. For tomorrow.” I laugh despite myself, covering my persistent smile with a gloved hand.
“You were coming to see me?”
“I had to make sure my flowers got delivered.” He jokes softly. Finn looks like he might be on the verge of tears, his nerves are as evident as mine.
“I don’t know where we stand,” he begins, his expressively beautiful eyes pouring his thoughts and feelings straight into mine. I can feel the raw emotion behind them, I see his desire to reach out and hold me, and the same feelings are reflected just below my own surface.
“What I do know is that these past few months without you have made me realize that I will do everything and anything I can to win you back because without you I’m incomplete.” My eyes fill as he voices every sentiment I’ve felt since departing from Havenwood and spending those lonely and reflective three months in LA.
He takes a step into me, his large hand cupping my frigid cheek. Finn’s face is so close to mine as I reach up and trace his strong features—the high bridge of his nose, the sharp cliffs of his cheekbones, his full lips. I nuzzle into the warmth of his palm, his touch feeling so right. It feels perfect.
“Havenwood might hold my past but you are my future and I promise to prioritize you, like I should have from the beginning, until forever.” I barely hold back my hot tears as my head swims in his sweet, unadulterated words.
“Forever is a long time, I’m sure I can learn to forgive you by then.” My voice trembles as I form the words through my constricted throat. I had forgiven Finn weeks ago—before I had even crossed Havenwood’s border. But now I had sufficiently worked through my own traumas and unrealistic standards and nothing can keep me from being with Mayor Finn Abernathy. Not even myself.
“I will grovel at your feet every day until you do.” With that promise he draws my face close and presses his lips to mine, the familiarity of his mouth welcoming me back as if I’d never left. I’d almost forgotten how perfectly his bottom lip fit between mine, the subtle mintiness on his tongue, his mustache brushing against my skin, all the things I’d fantasized about experiencing once again.
I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him in closer as I tip my head back, deepening our kiss. I let out a quiet moan as Finn grips me tighter, my thoughts dipping out of innocence as I rack my brain trying to think of the closest possible spot I can get him naked.
My less-than-pure thoughts are interrupted by a deep voice clearing their throat. Finn and I peel apart, both of us rosey-cheeked from the embarrassment of getting so carried away in public. I look over and see that the person who has caught us is Milo.
He stands a few feet from us, looking stoic in his long, lavender winter coat and extremely fashionable boots. His long, handsome face is devoid of any telltale expression that might cue me into how he is feeling about seeing me again.
“You’re back.” Is all he says, his voice just as inexpressive as his body language. I offer him a curt nod. Through my healing journey, I’d learned to forgive Milo for his role in my deception. Though, unlike Finn, Milo never asked for my forgiveness.
Milo takes two big steps forward, closing the distance between us. His face finally conveys a glimpse of readable emotion as he wraps his long arms over my shoulders. I pause for a beat in confusion, had Milo missed me? I don’t stop to question him now, instead, I wrap my arms around his slim middle, accepting his silent apology.
“Good,” Milo smiles his bright, white smile, reverting to his normal eccentric character.
“The redhead said we had somewhere to be right about now.” He looks to his brother who in turn looks to me in confusion.
“We do?” Finn raises a raven eyebrow at me. I offer him a playful grin and take his hand in mine, grabbing Milo’s with my other freehand.
“Let’s go, boys,” I instruct guiding them in the proper direction down the frozen cobblestone streets, extremely eager to show them the surprise I have in store.
Finn and I use the short walk as an opportunity to catch up on the last couple of months and what we have missed in each other’s lives, each of us taking turns talking and listening. Our topics range from the tourism boom in Havenwood, the new transplant population, signing my book deal, Agnes having to hire an entire crew to help her manage the new demand for her pastries, and even my encounter with Mr. Sweatpants. Milo was extremely proud of me for my witty comebacks.
Milo only chimes into the conversation occasionally when he feels Finn like has forgotten any details or to fill me in on his recent dating conquests. I laugh as we go, feeling whole again with the two of them at my side.
As we near our destination, I squeeze Finn’s hand a little tighter, working up the courage to talk about what is coming next for me.
“I think I’m going to make my presence in Havenwood a little more.. permanent.”
Before he can respond, the three of us round the corner of the red brick building and are greeted by a small group crowding outside of Courtney’s Cover to Cover. Finn’s eyes widen as his jaw falls limp, he stares at the new professional sign hanging over the shop as he trips over his words.
“What-? How-? What is this?” He sputters out a disbelieving laugh, beaming down at me with a happily confused expression on his handsome face.
“This is Cover to Cover’s grand opening.” I admire the crowd of familiar faces who have shown up to support me. From where I stand I can spot Landlord Gable and his wife, Fred, Cathleen, Micah, and Agnes. I’m so eternally grateful for each of them being here today.
“I called in a favor,” I inform Finn as I drag him to the front of the crowd with me. The doors to the shop are at our backs as I prepare to address the group. Finn stands dutifully beside me, still in a state of shock but supportive nonetheless. He’s still grinning down at me as prideful admiration reflects in his icy eyes.
A familiar freckled face breaks through the crowd, making a B line for me. Elsie throws her arms around me, almost toppling us over as she pounces. I can’t help but laugh and squeeze her back as we rock together in a tight embrace, I had missed my barista dearly.
“Welcome home,” she greets, pushing a cool piece of metal into my palm. The key to my bookstore.
“We have A LOT to catch up on.” She raises her eyebrows to emphasize her point but finishes with a smile, letting me know the gossip can wait.
“We sure do,” I giggle, thanking her before she rejoins the small sea of people. I take a deep breath, knowing now is the time to make my grand opening speech. With Finn’s hand in my own and the supportive faces in the crowd, I know I’ve got this.
“Thank you all for being here and thank you, Elsie, for making this possible. When I decided to rent this space and turn it into the bookstore of my dreams I knew its grand opening had to be just as perfect as it was. I wanted to open the store when the time was just right and I could be surrounded by family and friends.
“It took traveling to California and back to realize that every face I see in front of me right now has become my best friend and honorary family over the past six months. And now, that the timing is in fact just right, it’s my pleasure to welcome you all to Courtney’s Cover to Cover!”
I insert the key into the door, disengaging the lock and allowing the cheering mob to enter my perfectly renovated shop. The gorgeous shades of moody green and accents of gold dazzle them all, a complete turnaround from the dusty brown color that used to fill the space before. I notice Finn peeking in, attempting to catch a glimpse over the heads of the crowd.
“Go,” I encourage, shooing him inside.
“Go see it!”
“I’ll be right back,” he promises excitedly, kissing the top of my hand and following the others inside. I wait by the front door, greeting new and familiar faces alike and accepting congratulations when a tight grip on my bicep forces me to turn.
Standing in the doorway is a familiar rain cloud with juniper green eyes bearing into me, Starr. Oh no, I internally groan, I’m not prepared to deal with a confrontation on a day that is supposed to be filled with positivity and I’m really not prepared for this confrontation in particular.
“Welcome back, Hollywood.” Her words seem almost genuine.
I stare at the pale woman in disbelief, completely stunned into silence. I watch as part of Starr’s hard outer shell melts away in front of me, revealing a small portion of her soft center. She must sense my hesitation because she exhales through her nose, her green eyes focusing anywhere but on me.
“He was completely ruined when you left.” Her gaze tracks through the open doors and lands on Finn. I follow her line of sight, watching the mayor interact diligently with his townspeople. The thought of Finn being hurt and alone sends a lightning bolt of guilt through me, knowing I was the cause.
“I can see how much you mean to him, Courtney. I will always always wish that was me, there’s no point in lying about that but he loves you and I want him to be happy. Even if it’s not with me.” She blinks away forming tears before they can begin to threaten her thick eyeliner.
“And it seems like you’re not going anywhere anytime soon,” Starr motions to the newly installed sign above the shop.
“So, truce?”
She extends a hand tipped with black nail polish. I ignore it and instead pull her into a hug. I can see how much Finn means to her and even though I’m never going to give him up - and I mean ever - there is comfort in knowing that there is someone else who cares about him as much as I do. She stands as stiff as a corpse under my embrace but awkwardly pats my back.
“You know, Starr, you’re not so bad. Almost sweet even.”
“Don’t go around telling people that,” she separates herself from me by pushing gently on my shoulder.
“It’s bad for my punk rock image.” And for the first time ever, I see Starr smile. Her canines are filed into sharp fangs and are almost as white as her skin but it is still a pleasant look on her.
“See you, Hollywood.” She gives me a nod before walking off into the weather. Only now do I notice that she is wearing ripped jeans in thirty-five-degree weather, causing me to chuckle at her dedication.
“Ready to go in?” A silky voice calls from behind me, enjoyable little goosebumps rising all over my skin in response. I turn and find Finn leaning against the open doorway, looking as delicious as humanly possible. Once again I find myself wishing we were alone. I look past him momentarily at all the happy faces inside the store, the sight of people picking books off the shelves and admiring the decor earning me a warm feeling of pride.
“Before we do I need to tell you something,” I say, taking a few steps into Finn so that we are close enough for our breaths to mingle, practically breathing in the same air. I look up at his soft face as he gently swipes a stray strand from my forehead.
“Anything.”
“You once told me that I amazed you because I saw potential in a beat-up, old flower shop in a dying town. You asked me if I could do the same for a person and at the time I didn’t know what you meant but I do now.
“After my breakup with Carter, I convinced myself that I could only love someone who was ‘perfect’, a man with no flaws and all good sides. But then I met you and I realized you’re perfect because of your flaws. Finn, I love you.”
A smile slowly spread across his face and before I knew it I was being lifted in the air and spun in a short circle before my boots touched the ground again. Laughter flies out of me as Finn’s lips crash onto mine, I run my hands into his raven hair and savor this moment the best I can, wanting to remember it forever.
“Come on,” he coaxes as he pulls back from our kiss.
“Let’s go enjoy this opening and celebrate you.”
“I can think of a couple of ways we can celebrate later.” I wink at him as he holds the shop door open for me, the two of us giggling as we enter, hand in hand. I turn to comment Finn when a familiar face in the crowd catches my eye.
A woman in a gray dress stands across the room, her caramel brown hair is topped with a linen cap and her forest green eyes are watching me. A proud smile is stretched across her plump lips as she offers me a slight bow of her head, I stare at her for a beat, confused as to how no one else has noticed her presence. I return her nod just as Finn turns to see what I’m staring at but the woman is gone. Vanished into thin air.
I smile at the spot where Martha had just stood, satisfied in knowing that I’m not the only Berrycloth woman who was able to rewrite her story. Standing here now with the man I love, surrounded by my friends and my future shining brightly ahead of me is a gift I never could have predicted; it is more beautiful and fulfilling than anything I could have written myself.
This was my piece of paradise and it was right here in Havenwood, USA.
THE END