Chapter 51
FIFTY ONE
THE BELL ABOVE the door to Maddy’s Place has never sounded so hopeful.
Every step from Matthew’s car feels different today, lighter.
His hand remains in mine, a grounding weight.
A silent promise that started in his kitchen and hasn’t wavered for a single second since.
The city sounds are the same. The morning sun is just as bright.
But the ghosts that used to walk beside me have finally begun to fade, silenced by the profound peace of his presence.
The usual Sunday bustle is in full swing. Helen is leaning over the register, showing something on her phone to Lou.
“Well, good morning, you two,” Helen chimes. Her head snaps up, a grin spreading across her face as she takes in the sight of us, hand in hand.
We smile, murmuring our good mornings.
Lou turns, his expression shifting to a slow, warm smile that reaches his eyes. “Good morning indeed,” he says, his gaze soft as it lands on me. It then shifts to Matthew with a friendly, but assessing, look. “Nice to see you, Matthew. Have you been taking good care of our Amy?”
“In every way I know how,” Matthew replies, his voice full of an easy sincerity that makes Lou’s smile widen.
Warmth spreads through my chest. I let go of Matthew’s hand and slip behind the counter.
“Croissant?” I ask, already reaching for the tongs. I place two of the flakiest ones on small plates and hand one to Matthew.
Lou chuckles. “Come sit with me, son,” he says, gesturing toward his table. “And maybe these lovely ladies can send over a couple of coffees?”
“Coming right up,” Helen confirms, turning to the espresso machine. She glances over her shoulder at Matthew, eyes twinkling. “How do you take it, hot stuff?”
I nudge her with my elbow between mouthfuls of croissant, my cheeks flushing.
Matthew lets out an amused chuckle. “Black is fine. Thank you.”
With a hearty pat on Matthew’s back, Lou says, “Let’s leave these two to their work,” and leads him away.
As soon as they’re out of earshot, Helen leans in, her playful energy softening. “You’re glowing, mija.” She beams at me.
The truth of it bubbles up out of me before I can stop it. “He makes me so happy, Helen. It’s scary.”
Helen stops what she’s doing and places her warm hand over mine.
“Mira. Look at me.” Her expression is firm with fierce care.
“There is nothing to be afraid of. It is clear to anyone with eyes that man is head over heels for you. Leave the past in the past, Ames. You enjoy this. You deserve every last drop of this happiness after all you’ve been through. ”
“Thanks,” I whisper with a shy smile.
She gives my hand a tight squeeze before returning to the coffees.
A moment later, she slides two steaming mugs across the counter. “Now, go give your man his coffee,” she says, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “He probably needs it after the night you two had.”
“Oh my gosh, Helen, seriously?!” I exclaim, but a helpless laugh escapes me as I shake my head.
I carry the mugs over to Lou’s table.
“Thank you, dear.” He smiles up at me as I set his coffee down.
I place the other mug in front of Matthew. “Thank you, love.” Before I can pull away, his hand covers mine. His thumb gently strokes my knuckles in a slow, possessive caress that sends a delicious shiver straight up my spine.
My breath catches. My voice is barely a whisper. “Of course.”
Lou doesn’t miss the exchange. He takes a slow sip of his coffee, his gaze moving between me and Matthew with thoughtful observation.
He sets his mug down with a soft click. “Some people think love lies in the grand gestures, the fancy words,” he says, looking directly at me, although his words feel meant for both of us.
“But if you want to know where love truly lies,” he continues, nodding toward our joined hands, “you look for the easy silence between two people. That’s its real home. ”
A hot blush creeps up my neck.
He sees it all.
It’s a seismic shift in my entire being. And Lou, in his quiet wisdom, has just put his finger right on the heart of it.
Matthew tightens his grip on my hand, a silent message of reassurance. “I know exactly where my love lies,” he murmurs, lifting my hand to press a kiss into the center of my palm.
My heart might just beat right out of my chest. Overwhelmed, I give Matthew’s hand a squeeze before reluctantly letting go.
“I, uh, should get back to work.”
Lou just smiles. “You do that, my dear.”
I meet Matthew’s gaze one last time. He gives me a soft smile that holds all the love and security in the world.
I respond with a grateful nod before turning toward my office.
I don’t have to look back to know that their affectionate gazes are following me, a warm, protective blanket I can wrap myself in for the rest of the day.
Passing Helen as she expertly steams milk, I catch her eye and give her a questioning look. “Are you good out here for a bit?”
She rolls her eyes with theatrical affection. “Porfa, mija, I’ve got this. Go do your thing.”
I give her a thankful smile and continue to my office. Closing the door behind me, I lean against it for a second, a happy sigh leaving my lungs. Shaking off my dreamy haze, I settle into my desk chair and wake my computer.
For the next hour, I lose myself in the comforting rhythm of running my business: replying to suppliers, checking inventory spreadsheets, planning the schedule for the next two weeks. The focus is a balm. A reminder of the purpose I’ve found here at Maddy’s Place.
Finally, with my inbox tamed, I stand up, arching my back in a much-needed stretch. My gaze lands on two thick piles of paper on the corner of my desk.
The signed petitions.
My fingers trace the top sheet. A testament. A chorus of support from the community that has become my home.
With a newfound sense of resolve, I pick up both stacks. They feel heavy, weighted with the hope and trust of hundreds of people. I carefully square up the edges, tapping them against the desktop until they are perfectly aligned before combining them into a single, formidable stack.
This is no ordinary pile of paper.
It’s my army.
A two-rap knock sounds on the door.
“Come in.”
The office door pushes open, and Matthew steps inside, closing it softly behind him. He has a warm expression on his face, no doubt from his conversation with Lou. His eyes find mine, and he smiles, but then his gaze drops, landing on the sizable stack of papers beneath my hands.
He leans a shoulder against the doorframe, his arms crossed. The lightness in his expression shifts to one of deep respect. “Are those all signed petitions?”
“Every last one,” I reply, giving the stack a decisive pat. “There has to be a way to use them against Bancroft.”
A thoughtful silence fills the room. Matthew watches me, his gaze analytical, weighing a decision.
Finally, he pushes off the doorframe and takes a step closer. “I’m meeting with Harold tomorrow morning. It’s about another business matter entirely, but I was thinking… you should come with me.”
“What?” My head snaps up, my heart seizing in my chest. “But won’t that get you in trouble?”
He tilts his head, a you-know-better look in his eyes. “Let’s just say Harold needs me more than I need him.”
This is it.
The opening.
The one clear shot I never dreamed I’d get.
“This way he’ll hear it directly from me.
He’ll see the person whose dream he’s trying to crush for money he doesn’t even need.
” I look right at Matthew, the words rushing out in a wave of hopeful excitement.
“He’d never agree to a meeting otherwise.
But if you bring me in with you…” My shoulders rise in a slow shrug. “It’s worth a shot.”
For a long moment, Matthew just studies my face. A universe of pride, affection and unwavering belief shines in his eyes.
A breathtaking smile spreads across his lips. “I was hoping you’d agree.”
“Agree?!” The relief is so potent it almost makes my knees weak. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you.”
His smile turns wicked as he closes the distance between us, his hands finding my waist and pulling me flush against him.
“Oh, I do.” His murmur is a suggestive rumble that sends a jolt of pure desire through me.
“But first,” he continues, his expression softening into a playful grin, “I have a sudden hankering for a good burger. Wanna pay Sal a visit?”
A giddy laugh escapes me. “I would love that. But we should check with Helen first.”
“Lead the way.” He drops a quick, hard kiss on my lips before letting me go. “Bring the petitions.” He deftly splits the stack, handing one half to me.
We walk out of the office together, each holding a stack of papers, and approach the counter where Helen is handing a customer their change.
She finishes the transaction and turns to us, placing her hands on her hips. “You two are still here?”
Matthew steps forward slightly, his demeanor respectful and charming. “Actually, Helen, I was wondering if you’d be okay if I stole Amy for lunch.”
Helen’s eyes widen, and an appreciative grin spreads across her face. “Amy’s my boss, handsome. She can do whatever she wants.” She winks at him, then her expression softens. “But thank you for asking. And yes. In fact, not just for lunch. Take the rest of the day. Go enjoy the sunshine!”
“But will you be alright alone?” I interject.
“I got this, Ames,” she says, already shooing us away. “It’s slowing down. Don’t worry. Now, go!”
The bright sunshine feels warm on my skin as we walk to Matthew’s car. He opens the passenger door for me, a simple act that still makes my heart flutter. Once we’re both inside, the petitions secure on the backseat, he starts the engine and takes my hand in his.
As he pulls out onto the street, I let out a little laugh. “Sorry about Helen’s comments,” I say, a blush creeping up my cheeks. “She has no filter.”