Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Josy
The morning sunlight streams through my bedroom window, warming my face and coaxing me out of a deep, dreamless sleep.
For a moment, I blink in confusion, my mind catching up to the fact that I’ve overslept.
Normally, I’d be scrambling to get ready for work, but today, I don’t care.
A smile spreads across my face as I stretch lazily, every muscle in my body deliciously relaxed.
Last night wasn’t just perfect. Life-changing.
I glance to the pillow beside me and find a folded piece of paper resting there. My heart does a little flip as I grab the note, Noah’s familiar scrawl greeting me.
"Good morning, beautiful. I hated leaving you, but I couldn’t be late for work. I’ll see you later. Don’t miss me too much. P.S. You snore, and it’s adorable."
I laugh softly, pressing the note to my chest. Noah Ross is mine. I can’t believe it’s real. After everything—all the doubts and obstacles—we’re finally together.
Reluctantly, I get up and rush through my morning routine. By the time I arrive at the coffee shop, the place is bustling with activity. Customers crowd the tables, chatter fills the air, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wraps around me like a hug.
Violet is at the counter, her expression harried but determined as she hands over drinks and takes orders. A few tables are cluttered with empty mugs and plates, but I’m too elated to care. I make my way behind the counter, flashing her a grin.
“Morning!” I say cheerily.
She stops mid-motion, narrowing her eyes at me. “Girl, what’s up with you? You’re practically glowing. What happened last night?” she whispers, leaning in conspiratorially.
I laugh, feeling heat creep into my cheeks. “I’ll tell you later,” I murmur, brushing past her to stash my purse in my office.
The next few hours fly by in a blur of orders, smiles, and chaos.
Violet throws me questioning glances every chance she gets, clearly dying to know what’s going on, but I stay tight-lipped.
When things finally slow down, I’m behind the counter reorganizing the leftover pastries when I spot Mrs. Henrietta and Mrs. Mirtha walking in.
As always, they’re a vision in their matching floral dresses, gleaming pearl necklaces, perfectly coiffed hair, and their makeup flawless. They’re Honey Springs gossip royalty, and they know it.
“Well, if it isn’t our favorite mama-to-be!” Mrs. Mirtha exclaims, her sharp eyes zeroing in on me. “My dear Josy, how have you been feeling? That baby bump of yours is growing more beautiful by the day.”
I smile, touched by her warmth. “I’ve been feeling—”
“Hold on just a minute,” Mrs. Henrietta interjects, waving a manicured finger at her friend. “Mirtha, are you calling Josy fat? Have you no tact?”
Mrs. Mirtha gasps, clutching her pearls dramatically. “Fat? Henrietta, I said beautiful. Maybe if you cleaned your glasses once in a while, you’d hear people correctly!”
“Don’t you start with me,” Henrietta huffs, planting her hands on her hips. “I hear just fine, and what I heard was you practically calling her a balloon!”
I can’t help but laugh, covering my mouth as they bicker like an old married couple.
“Ladies, ladies,” I say, holding up my hands. “I’ll have you know I feel great, and I don’t mind being compared to a balloon as long as it’s a pretty one.”
“That’s the spirit!” Mrs. Mirtha beams. “See, Henrietta? She has a sense of humor. You could learn a thing or two.”
“Oh, please. I taught her everything she knows.” Henrietta sniffs, but there’s a glimmer of affection in her eyes.
The two continue their playful banter as I grab their usual coffees and pastries, my heart full. This little town, these people—they’re my family.
By the time I finish with Mrs. Henrietta and Mrs. Mirtha, they’ve settled at their usual corner table, already deep into what I’ve come to call “the gossip hour.” Their animated voices carry across the shop, catching the attention of a few nearby patrons who lean in ever so subtly to listen.
It doesn’t take long before I hear the name Megan mentioned. Megan, the mayor’s daughter, is always a hot topic, and apparently, she’s outdone herself this time.
“You heard me right,” Mrs. Mirtha says, her tone dripping with scandal. “Dating a married man! Can you imagine?”
Mrs. Henrietta nods emphatically. “Homewrecker, that’s what she is. Poor Mabel—bless her heart—she’s been through enough already with that no-good husband of hers, and now Megan sinks her claws into him? Shameless!”
I roll my eyes as I rearrange the pastry case for the third time today. It’s not that I’m surprised; Megan has always been the type of person who goes after what’s unavailable. She thrives on the chase, and if it’s forbidden, all the better.
The memory of her antics with Austin comes flooding back, and I shake my head in disbelief. For years, she flirted shamelessly with him, even after it was clear that he wasn’t interested. When he and Violet started dating, Megan made it her mission to undermine Violet at every turn.
I’ll never forget the day Megan came strutting into the coffee shop, her designer purse swinging, and her lips painted a shade of red that screamed trouble. She ordered her usual latte but lingered far too long at the counter, making thinly veiled jabs at Violet.
“You’re dating Austin now?” she’d asked, her voice oozing fake sweetness. “I don’t know what he sees in you. You’re fat and ugly. But don’t worry, he’ll come back to me eventually.”
Violet patiently smiled, her composure rock solid when she responded, “I’m glad to know that you’re delusional. If he wanted you back, he’d be with you and not with me. So please, have some self-respect and never ever come back again. And don’t talk to me.”
Austin, however, wasn’t as patient. When he heard about it, he marched straight to City Hall and had a private “chat” with Megan. Whatever he said must have hit home because she backed off, for a while, at least.
Now, hearing Mrs. Mirtha and Mrs. Henrietta recount the latest drama, I can’t help but feel sorry for the poor man caught in Megan’s web. If history is any indication, she won’t stop until she’s caused maximum damage.
“Mark my words,” Mrs. Henrietta declares, pulling me from my thoughts, “this will end in tears. And not hers, mind you. That girl has ice water in her veins.”
“Bless her heart,” Mrs. Mirtha says, though her tone suggests anything but sympathy. “She’ll get what’s coming to her one day.”
I suppress a laugh and head back to the register, thankful that Megan and I were never friends. She’s trouble wrapped in designer clothes, and I have enough on my plate without her drama spilling into my life.
Shaking my head, I push the thought aside and refocus on the shop. The lunch rush has slowed, and Violet looks like she could use a break, so I grab a cloth and start wiping down the tables while listening to the steady hum of conversation around me.
“I’m so glad Megan stopped chasing Austin,” Violet says, walking over to me with a disapproving shake of her head.
“I know, right?” I reply, chuckling. “She’s a piece of work. Be thankful her sights are set on someone else now.”
“Thank God for that,” she says, her tone lightening. Then she narrows her eyes at me with a sly smile. “But enough about Megan. Spill the tea. Why were you late this morning, and why have you had this weird grin on your face since you got here?”
I place a hand on my chest, feigning offense. “Weird grin? Excuse me, my smile is not weird, you bitch.”
Violet snorts. “Okay, creepy smile, then.”
“Rude,” I retort, crossing my arms. “And I texted you, didn’t I? I overslept. You know, growing a baby is exhausting. I’m basically running on naps and snacks at this point.” I gesture to my growing baby bump.
Violet nods knowingly, placing a hand on her own belly. “Preach, woman. Been there, doing that. This little one has me wiped out most days. Honestly, I’m just grateful I’m not dealing with morning sickness like you were a few months ago. Imagine me puking all over the coffee shop counters.”
“Don’t remind me of those dark times,” I say, shuddering at the memory, and we both burst into laughter.
Her expression softens as she studies me. “Seriously though, is everything okay? You seem... different. Like, glowing different.”
“It’s more than okay, Vi.” My lips tug into a smile I can’t suppress. “Last night, Noah came over, and I finally told him how I feel.”
Violet’s eyes widen, and she gasps dramatically. “What? You confessed? What happened? What did he say?”
I take a deep breath, replaying every magical moment in my mind. “I told him the real reason I’ve been mad at him all this time. Then, I confessed that I’ve always loved him.”
She claps her hands together, looking like she might combust from excitement. “And? What did he do? What did he say?”
“He was shocked, to be honest. Apparently, he thought I was out of his league. Can you believe that? Noah Ross, thinking I was out of his league.”
“Wait, what?” Violet looks genuinely perplexed. “How could he think that? I remember how you two used to text and talk constantly. It was so obvious to everyone that you were both head over heels. He couldn’t have been that dense, Josy.”
“That’s what I said!” I laugh. “But then he told me he’s always loved me too, and—” my voice softens as emotion wells up in my chest, “—that he wants everything with me.”
Violet presses her hands to her heart, her eyes shimmering. “That’s so sweet, Josy. I’m so happy for you two.” Then her grin turns mischievous. “Let me guess. You had a wild night, didn’t you? That’s why you came in late. Too much sexy fun?”
I laugh, feeling my cheeks heat up. “It was magical. I can’t stop thinking about it.”
She pulls me into a quick hug, grinning from ear to ear.
“I’m so happy for you, Josy. I love seeing you like this.
Now all that’s left is for us to both get married to the loves of our lives and have a ton of babies.
Then, fingers crossed, one of your kids and one of mine will fall in love. Think of the family reunions!”
I laugh harder, shaking my head. “For that to happen, you’ll need to have a boy. Everly needs a handsome guy in her life and Adrian is too old for her.”
“True,” Violet agrees with a wink. “But seriously, look at us. Who would’ve thought we’d end up here, being this happy, living in the same town, raising our kids together?”
“Right?” I say, feeling a wave of gratitude. “I’m so glad you moved to Honey Springs. Honestly, I don’t think anything would’ve happened with Noah if it weren’t for you and Austin falling in love first.”
Violet’s eyes twinkle, and she gives me a knowing smile. “It was fate, my dear Josy. We had to go through all that crap to end up this happy.”
I nod, my heart full. “Fate,” I repeat softly, knowing deep down that she’s right.