Page 10 of Our Little Moments

I smile, walking towards my sister. “How’s the new book coming along?”

Layla laughs. “Managing publishing and writing at the same time can be a pain in the ass.”

“I can only imagine.” I chuckle.

Layla seems lost in thought again. She’s always been the dreamer in our family—it can be really tough to get her back into a conversation.

“Do you know how Hazel’s shop is going?” I ask, trying to spark a conversation.

Her head snaps over to mine, like I hoped it would. Layla’s been close to Hazel since she was born. It’s the only time Layla got to be the older sister.

“Are you really asking me that, Adrian?” She giggles. Our sister’s shop is a favorite around here. There’s not a more enchanting spot in Westwood Spring than Hazel’s flower shop. “Don’t you dare worry about her.”

I chuckle as my chest burns. I can’t help myself; I’ll always worry about them.

Layla hugs me, and every thought in my head drifts away. Even if I’ll never admit it, she gives the best hugs. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her back when she tries letting go. Layla has this special ability to make every worry go away. She can soothe every fear, whether that’s with her words or her hugs.

She untangles herself from me and smiles warmly. “Well, go say good morning to Isa. She’s worried about next month.”

Isabella’s coffee shop is always booming, but during the busy season, it’s a nightmare. During the last week of July, we have a crazy amount of tourists. They always go to Isa’s coffee shop, on top of her steady stream of local patrons, which makes it unbearable for my sister to manage all on her own. I offer my sister help every year, and she always declines, but she’s seemed particularly worried this week, so I head to her shop to make sure she’s okay.

When I enter my sister’s coffee shop, my heart stops beating. I’m pretty sure I stopped breathing too.

There’s a woman I’ve never seen inside, and she’sbeautiful.Stunning, really. Her pale green crop top brings out her dark skin, and her chestnut curls are in a messy ponytail.

My sister waves over at me, and I finally suck in a breath, realizing I’d totally zoned out.

Goddamn it, what is wrong with me?

I walk over to her counter with a grin. “Hey, Bella. How’s your morning going?”

My sister’s smile shines just like it always does when I call herBella—which is why I keep using the nickname.

“Great! Adrian, this is Stella. Stella, this is Adrian. He’s my annoying older brother.”

I usually don’t mind her teasing, but at this moment, heat rises to my cheeks at being described as her “annoying older brother.” The woman, who I’ve now learned is named Stella, smiles shyly at me and . . . I can’t do anything.

Get it together, Adrian.

Shaking my head, I hold out my hand. “Nice to meet you. Are you new to town? When did you get here?”

There. Safe topic of conversation.

She turns in my direction as she replies, “I arrived yesterday.”

She slowly shakes my hand, which makes me look into her eyes. Her eyes are the color of a lime—a much brighter green than her shirt. Eyes that are impossible to get lost in because they’re so bright. And there’s a vitality in them that I see so rarely.Life.

Isabella clears her throat, and I pull my hand back, turning to look at my sister.

“A vanilla latte for the new girl,” she says cheerily to Stella. She’s always had the gift to make everyone feel welcome and included. The tension in Stella’s shoulders melts away as she grabs her coffee.

I’ve always been an outgoing person. It’s one of the many traits Isabella and I share. I’m the one that talks to people effortlessly, but right now, my palms are sweaty.

It’s just because she’s a stranger. It’s just nerves.

“So, what brings you here?” I ask, following her as she goes to sit at a table. I feel my sister’s eyes on us, but I try to ignore her.

Stella sighs. “I needed a break, to rest for a little bit and forget about . . . how complicated everything with my career became.”

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