Page 57 of The Magical Tea Shop

“Roman will keep him occupied all evening. He’s good at that.”

Ivy and Jaxon fell into step and rounded the building to the square. “If we’re walking, do you want to get Montgomery?” she asked.

“Nah, he’s on a playdate.” Ivy knew she must’ve appeared confused when he added, “With Cece’s dogs.”

“Ah.” Ivy blew out a sigh when she spotted the town green and the statue. With Jaxon at her side, she didn’t want to be anywhere else.

“Are you sure you’re okay? He’s lousy with social signals.”

“Thanks for the rescue. Do you do this for all of Brantley’s dates?”

“Can I ask why you went out with him?”

“I’m pretty sure Priscilla set me up.”

“Pris, as in Alden’s mom?”

“Long story,” said Ivy at Jaxon’s raised eyebrow.

“I’ve got time.”

“It’s a high school story,” said Ivy.

“Okay, I’ve got lots of time.” Jaxon grinned.

Ivy studied him to see if he was serious before she shrugged and launched into the small-town dynamics of going through school with people you’d known your whole life.

Jaxon shook his head in wonder. “I must’ve moved a dozen times as a kid. I never experienced half that.”

“Lucky you,” Ivy joked.

He tilted his head. “Not really.”

“Was it hard to be the new kid?”

“Harder toalwaysbe the new kid. That’s why I hoped I could belong here.”

“You do belong here.”

Jaxon shook his head. “Not like you.” He gazed at her in a way Ivy couldn’t fathom, with longing and sadness.

“Here’s your tea shop and your car. I should let you go.” He gave a nod and raised a hand in farewell. “Until the fundraiser.”

He strode off before Ivy could invite him in. She shrugged, tucked herself inside her tea shop, and decided to relegate her miserable date to a lesson learned and use the time to create an ideal tea blend. She needed it ready for the fundraiser. Instead, she found herself mixing up dough for her Very Special Cookies. She knew it was a bad idea, an addiction she should forgo. Every time she baked the cookies it went awry, her serene life growing more complex with each batch. She couldn’t stop herself. She knew the recipe by heart.

Drafts kicked up as she stirred, alternately pulling and pushing at the glass door until the building breathed.

Ivy started out humming and then sang. Rain tapping in sprinkles expanded to splashy droplets blown sideways, splatting on the picture window.

Swaying in time to the gusts rattling the door, she started to dance. Electric air sizzled.

Ivy let her hair swing loose. In riotous waves around her head, it began to float.

Lightning cracked, illuminating the tea shop in stark clarity.

Thunder answered. Its deep rumbles reminded her of Jaxon’s voice reverberating within her when he spoke, how he’d rescued her and made her safe. How his presence protected her from Brantley’s unwelcome advances.

Had she given out the wrong signals? On every date? She should speak up, be more assertive. She’d meant to, but she had spent the last three years perfecting her welcoming demeanor as she built up an essentially superfluous business in a small town. Had dating again all been a colossal waste of time? None of these guys were Jaxon. Somehow, even when she didn’t speak up, Jaxon was in tune. He knew.

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