Page 89 of Love Under Snowfall

She jumped when her phone buzzed almost immediately.

Benjamin Clark:

I don’t want them.

Frankie:

Are you serious?

BenjaminClark:

When am I not?

Fair point.

Frankie:

Ok.

She advanced in line, attempting to focus on the pastry case and earthy scent of roasted coffee beans. Why did it seem so weird that he didn’t want them back? Why wouldn’t he need them? Surely, he had other occasions where wearing cuff links made sense. Frankie couldn’t exactly think of an example since she’d never owned a pair. Correction: She’d never owned a pair until now. So what should she do with them? It felt awkward keeping them. It wasn’t like she wanted a keepsake to remember her time with Benjamin. She’d much rather forget it ever happened and move the hell on with her life. He was the past and needed to stay firmly planted there. Her phone buzzed again.

Benjamin Clark:

How are you?

A weight settled on her chest, and warmth rose to consume her cheeks. Red flashing lights with the word “danger” illuminated down that path. She pulled up his contact, thumb hovering over the screen.

“What’ll it be?”

Frankie looked up and into the warm brown eyes of the barista. “Can I please have an almond croissant and a mocha?”

The aproned woman nodded, punching the order into the register.

Frankie took the opportunity to press a few buttons on her phone too.

Contact blocked.

Chapter forty-eight

Three months later, Leavenworth: Benjamin

Pulling into the town of Leavenworth, Benjamin drummed nervously on the steering wheel in tune with the frantic beat of his heart. Long gone were the twinkling Christmas lights and poinsettias, and while only a dusting of snow remained in town, the jagged peaks around him were practically coated. The white tips shimmered crystalline against the backdrop of bold blue sky and glowing sun. Even in his heightened state of apprehension, he could admit the view was remarkable. A far cry from the gloomy remains of winter that still lingered on the western side of the Cascades.

He’d debated with himself about stopping by unannounced like this, but his best friend’s new wife insisted that he was welcome anytime. Lucy, with her cheerful disposition and hospitable nature, had explicitly said,No need to call, our door is always open to you.And so, here he was, following his phone’s GPS to the charming Bavarian town that held haunting memories in hopes of finding some closure.

That wasn’t completely accurate. He’d accept closure, but what he hoped for was a new beginning.

Pulling into the gravel lot outside Off the Beaten Adventures, Benjamin inhaled a series of deep breaths, intending to calm his humming anxiety.

Through casual texting and cunning conversation, helearned that Jonathan and Lucy were both at the office that morning.

Benjamin:

What’s up?

Johnny:

Not much. Heading into OtB to work on inventory with the missus.

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