12. Leo
LEO
My two weeks in Golden Falls so far had passed by in a blur, but at least I’d gotten into somewhat of a routine.
My mornings tended to be less busy, since most days I didn’t get into Lake Ridge until the afternoon and stayed late into the evening.
Today, I was meeting Gabe for coffee at Lily’s café.
I’d very briefly met Lily my first day in Golden Falls when I’d picked up my keys, as well as last weekend at Lake Ridge when I stopped by her table during dinner.
I’d been meaning to return to Purrfect Blend Cat Café, both to say hi and also to get to know her better with her being Wes’s younger sister.
Maybe the fact that she was Eliza’s best friend played a small part in that, too.
I pushed open the door to Purrfect Blend, immediately greeted by the fresh smell of coffee, cinnamon, and caramel.
There was a steady chatter from the groups sitting at the circle tables, as well as at the stools at the counter near the register.
The walls were decorated with art of cats, local views, and abstract paintings.
The café was bright, lively, and welcoming. It was easy to see how people could spend hours here enjoying their coffee and pastries, in addition to spending time with the cats in the adjoining room.
Not seeing Gabe yet, I went to the light oak counter where Lily arranged a plate of pastries.
“Hey, Leo!” she said with a wave, as if I was a regular. “I hoped you’d visit soon.”
“Leo, hi!” Jules, who I’d met at Lake Ridge last weekend, greeted.
“Great to see you, ladies. I’ve been meaning to come by.” I smiled at them both and grabbed the stool next to Jules. “What do you both recommend?” I asked, my eyes scanning the chalkboards behind the register that detailed in cursive writing the available drinks and pastries.
“You can’t go wrong,” Jules said with a laugh. “I usually get anything and everything with chocolate.”
“I can also surprise you with a drink and pastry,” Lily offered.
“Yeah, let’s do that. A surprise sounds great.” I reached into my pocket to pull out my wallet. When I tapped my card against the reader, nothing happened.
“It’s on the house,” Lily said in a sing-song tone. “Least I can do after dinner last weekend, which was delicious.”
When I parted my mouth to protest her offer, Lily raised her brows, suddenly going from sunshine to stern, and I closed my mouth and slipped my card back into my wallet.
“Much better,” she said with a bright smile. “You’re meeting Gabe here, right? He’s running a little behind. He would’ve texted you but doesn’t have your number.”
“It’s not a problem. I’m in no rush.”
“How are you enjoying Golden Falls so far?” Lily asked while working on my drink.
“It’s been great,” I answered honestly. “I like that it feels familiar, with how close it is to where I grew up, but different enough that it’s also new. I’d been to town a couple times growing up but barely remember it. It’s nice to experience it now and prepare for the summer rush.”
“It gets so busy. I’m exhausted just thinking about it,” Lily said with a laugh. “I imagine it’s similar to the fall tourist rush in Maple Bluffs?”
While Golden Falls was the town to visit over the summer, Maple Bluffs was the place to be in the fall, with its pure maple syrup, hiking trails, and historic downtown. A wave of nostalgia hit me as I realized I hadn’t experienced a fall in Maple Bluffs in years.
“Yeah, I’d say it’s similar. From what my mom has said, the infrastructure for tourists is a little less built out. It’s easy for a day trip but lodging is difficult to find for extended stays.”
“We should do a girls trip in the fall. Head over for the day,” Jules beamed.
“I like the way you think.” Lily grinned at her friend. “Maybe even get some recommendations on what to do from our new favorite chef?” She looked at me hopefully.
“Of course,” I said with a chuckle. “Happy to help.”
Lily set the drink in front of me. “I made you an Americano and then dusted some coconut sugar and cinnamon on top, in the shape of paw prints, of course.”
“Looks fantastic,” I said with a smile. “Can’t wait to try it.”
“And then how do you feel about strawberry rhubarb bars?” she asked.
I looked over to the glass cases, and my stomach immediately rumbled at how delicious the bars looked. “No complaints here.”
Lily grinned. She then turned around and brought over two plates, each with a pastry.
As I waited for Gabe, I checked in with Jules about recommendations for contractors in the area and some of the projects my mom was considering. Like Eliza promised, Jules was more than helpful.
About five minutes after I’d arrived, Gabe walked in. He was wearing a light-blue dress shirt, a pair of slacks, and dress shoes.
“Hey, Leo,” he said with a welcoming smile. “Sorry, I’m late. I had a call for work that went over.” He sighed and leaned over the counter to give Lily a kiss.
“No worries, man. Gave me some time to catch up with Lily and Jules.”
Lily already had Gabe’s drink made, so we grabbed our mugs and plates.
“Do you want to stay in here or head to the cat room?” Gabe asked.
“I’m allergic to cats, unfortunately.”
“That’s devastating.” Gabe shook his head, looking pained at the revelation. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his serious response.
Gabe started to lead us toward a table when Lily called over to us.
“Oh, Leo! Would you want to come to yoga with Jules and me on Saturday? Gabe is coming, too.”
Gabe tilted his head to the side. “I don’t remember—” he started, but one look from Lily and he quickly changed his tone. “Yoga. Right. I’ll be there.”
“Eliza is teaching,” Jules chimed in.
Huh. I looked between the three of them, unable to figure out their motive. There had to be one, right?
“Yeah, sure,” I agreed. “I’ve been meaning to check out the studio. I don’t have a mat, though.”
“Perfect!” Lily exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “And don’t worry about it. Just show up Saturday at eight, and I’ll handle the rest.”
“C’mon,” Gabe said, nodding toward the empty table. “Before she ropes us into something else. She can be very convincing.”
Lily simply grinned, and Jules tossed her head back with a laugh.
“I can tell. She’s good at it, too, almost like you don’t realize she’s convincing you.”
Gabe nodded, expression serious. “It’s very scary.” When he glanced over in Lily’s direction, his eyes softened. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Anyways, I’m glad we’re meeting up. Feels like just yesterday I was new in town, too. You settling in okay?”
I gave Gabe the rundown of my first two weeks in town, creating the menu, and how last weekend went. I’d managed to briefly talk to him and meet his grandfather Hal when they came in for dinner with Lily.
“You two seem close,” I commented about his relationship with Hal. “But you didn’t grow up here?”
Gabe shook his head. “No, and I actually wasn’t in touch with my grandpa until recently.
Long story short, my dad was—still is—a controlling asshole, although he doesn’t have the grip on me he used to.
He cut off contact with Hal and forbade him from seeing me for most of my life.
It wasn’t until last winter when Hal reached out about the building”—Gabe gestured around us—“that I visited Golden Falls for the first time. Took a little bit for the town to warm up to me and see I wasn’t my father, but it was worth the effort.
I was able to reconnect with Hal, and with Lily’s help, separate my career from my father’s, finally.
Now, Lily and I own the building together. ”
“Damn,” I said on a sigh. “Sounds like it all worked out, though?”
Gabe nodded with a chuckle. “It did.”
“I was honestly surprised that I haven’t gotten more push back from being here seeing how close-knit the town is.”
“How so?” Gabe brought his mug up to take a sip.
“With Eliza being from here and me being her ex’s brother. I thought there would be more animosity there.”
Gabe hitched a shoulder. “I mean, I don’t know what happened between the two of them, and I think most people don’t.
Or at least I haven’t heard anything. It’s probably because Eliza hasn’t said anything about Colin to get people thinking that you should be on their bad side.
Did things not end well between the two of them? ”
“I think things ended fine,” I offered, but there were pieces I couldn’t stop thinking about.
Colin’s tone when we spoke on the phone.
Eliza not being in a relationship after him.
None of it was any of my business, but I couldn’t help wondering what happened.
“Anyways, what are you and Lily planning with the empty storefront?”
Gabe shared how they were setting up the space to be a business incubator and allow people to set up shop without committing to a brick and mortar. They were hoping to open it in time in time for farmer’s market season to add to the vendor list.
Residents were thrilled about it because of the support for local businesses and opening up vendor spots for the farmer’s market.
Applications for the farmer’s market had been steadily rising over the last few years as the town’s summer tourism expanded.
Lake Ridge offering food would only further increase the interest from out-of-town visitors.
The hour went by fast, and Gabe needed to wrap up to finish work. He worked remotely most days, and today he was going to finish up the day at the café.
“Guess I’ll see you Saturday at yoga then,” I said while getting up.
“I guess so.” Gabe chuckled. “See you then.”
My expression as I walked away matched Gabe’s—slight fear over what we’d gotten ourselves into.