Page 23 of Hoax and Kisses
“Tourist mode today, Zoey. Enough.”
Standing beside my rental, I fish the piece of paper with Rosie’s handwriting from my jacket.
“Start your day on the most famous pedestrian street in British Columbia, Moss Street,” I read out loud. “Your first stop is Oli’s for lunch. It was originally called Jerry’s, but was renamed when Jerry’s grandson, Oliver, your host, reopened it after a fire damaged the building. The restaurant gave our little town its reputation, and the food there is to die for. I recommend the duck grilled cheese. Ask for a table on the terrace. You’ll have a fantastic view of the lake that borders the structure.”
I cock an eyebrow. Damn, I didn’t know Oliver was such a big deal around here.
“Then,” I read silently, “make your way up the street to the romance bookstore you’ve already been to, One Last Chapter. If you’re in the mood for a steamy story, I suggest talking to Lola; she always has great recommendations. Last but not least, Daphne’s Wildflowers. The florist shop is very popular with tourists and locals alike.”
Rosie proceeds to name a few hiking trails for beginners right outside Pine Falls, ending her list with a stop at her café, where she promises a cappuccino will be waiting for me.
Smiling, I tuck the note back into my pocket. It’s nice to have a friend in a place I’ve just set foot in. In a town where I know no one.
Almostno one.
I stroll down the sidewalk, passing in front of antique shops, my mind wandering back to Rosie’s mention of the flower boutique.
At home, there are always fresh flowers in a vase somewhere, courtesy of my mother. When I was little, every room in the house was filled with arrangements. Most of my childhood memories are scented with jasmine, lilac, rose, and lavender. Now that I have my place, Mom brings bouquets with her every time she comes over. It never fails to whisk me back to a simpler time, when all I had to worry about was what film to choose for our Saturday movie nights.
I frown, despite the warmth seeping through me at the memories. When was the last time we had some mother-daughter quality time? Seems like decades ago. The thought stays with me as I make a mental note to pick up flowers at that boutique on the way home.
At Oli’s, I get the duck grilled cheese and a plate of homemade fries, per Rosie’s instruction. And honestly, I’m gonna make it a daily stop, because this might be the best food I’ve ever tasted.
After lunch, I make my way up the street, wandering in the direction of One Last Chapter Bookstore. It’s easy to see why tourists love Pine Falls. Moss Street stretches through the heart of the town, its cobblestone surface, while not welcoming to specific footwear, gives the area a quaint charm. Dozens of shops line each side, waiting to greet tourists and locals alike. The crisp air carries the scent of the trees that give the town its name, fresh and musky. Or maybe it comes from the houses nearby, all made of wood and stone.
The wind ruffles my dark hair, and I tighten the lapel of my coat around me. Life here is so different from life in Vancouver. I’ve never pictured the city as a particularly bustling place, but compared to this town?
Not a person I see is in a rush. There are two women over by the pet store, sitting on a bench chatting, coffees clutched in their hands, while their kids play in a patch of grass next to them. An older couple on the other side of the street is out for a lazy afternoon stroll, stopping to admire a bed of dahlias.
The pace is unhurried, life slow but steady. Time seems to pause, to stretch, allowing for moments of connection and quiet enjoyment of simpler pleasures.
It’s such a foreign concept to me, living in slow motion like this. I’m always on the go, so to even take a walk on a Monday during business hours? Can’t say I’ve ever done it.
When I get to the bookstore, the wooden sign above the door swings gently in the breeze. The shop’s windows are crammed with neatly stacked books—some new and some old, but all stories of lust and love. A bell chimes softly as I step in, and I’m immediately greeted by a woman with black hair who’s perched on a ladder, tattoos covering her right arm.
“Hi! Welcome to One Last Chapter.” She tilts her head, assessing me for a moment. “Wait, Zoey, right? The woman who rents Oli’s house?”
I smile warmly. I need every ally I can get if I want to succeed in building this hotel, so I have to make a good impression. Just have to remember her name first.
Fuck.
It’s Laura… no. Lydia. Shit, that’s not it. Looo… Lola!
Mental high-five.
“Hey, Lola! Yep, that’s me. Thanks to your friend, I finally found the place. Not my finest moment, I have to say.”
She places a stack of books on the shelf and comes down. “Ah, don’t worry. I get it.” Quickly, she gives me a once-over. “I see you’re starting to get the vibe around here.”
I peer down at my sweater and the leggings tucked into my boots. “Quite the change from last week, huh?”
She chuckles. “It fits you well. How’s your stay in Pine Falls so far? Matt didn’t scare you too much?”
Cheeks heating, I do a half turn, fidgeting with the spines of several books on a nearby shelf and hoping like hell she can’t see how red my face is. “Scared? N-no, not at all. Quite the opposite, actually. I mean…” I clamp my mouth shut.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I take a breath and add, “Turns out he was very helpful, that’s all.”
