Page 52 of Hold Me Instead
She gripped his bicep and pulled them to a stop, halting his thoughts.Were these daydreams?
“This is my friend Cleo’s shop,” Charlie said, pointing to the black awning beside them that read Cleo’s Local Goods in white script font.
The store was lit brightly, its front picture window showcasing a well-loved oak buffet and hutch cabinet, featuring teas, candles, towels, and pottery. Princess pumpkins were nestled on top and below the buffet, with sprays of dried florals.
“Now,” she said, her hand still on his arm as she breathed deeply. When she looked up at him, the street lamp glinted off her eyes. “Smell that?”
He sniffed on command. Sugary sweetness hit his nostrils, the cinnamon spice blending with the autumnal air. Sure enough, they were one shop down from Dorothy’s Bakery.
“Fuck. I forgot how that place filled the block.”
Charlie laughed. “You didn’t soak it in when you stopped by the other day?”
He took a moment to enjoy her laugh, missing it after her blowup the day before—even though he was enthralled to see that side of her too. “I’m embarrassed to admit, I called in a to-go order and was only inside for a minute.”
She gasped, her hand sliding from him, leaving behind a warmth that made him shiver. “We’ll have to fix that,” she said with a small smile. “Magnolia’s new place will be opening there soon,” she added, pointing across the street at the storefront with a teal door before she continued walking.
“Ah, right. Magnolia, Cleo. The names you came up with the other night,” he teased.
She nudged his arm with hers. “Cleo couldn’t believe her luck when the space next to Dorothy’s became available. She leaves her front door open on beautiful days so the bakery smell wafts in, but when they’re all buttoned up in the summer or winter, get this, it carries through the vents. Something about how this connected strip of shops was originally built, I don’t how it works. But it works, and that’s the main thing.”
Zachary salivated as they passed the bustling bakery, then realized the time. “How late do they stay open?” he asked.
“Oh, a couple years ago, they extended their hours to 8 p.m. Dorothy still bakes regularly, but her daughter runs the day-to-day and pushed for the change. The grandkids have taken an interest too, so they cover post-school hours and busy seasons. It’s pretty neat, actually.”
The words sank like a rock. All these family businesses were hanging on in this tumultuous economy, passing down through generations. It was what his dad had hoped for until Zachary had followed Anna. Dorothy’s Bakery had been around as long as EFVH. Zachary remembered visiting his dad at work as a kid and running over to the bakery, his fist wrapped tightly around every dollar he’d scrounged together from his allowance. The woman had the biggest heart, always giving kids more than their money covered.
They reached the end of the block and crossed the street, the Menomonee River in front of them as they veered slightly, until Charlie announced, “Here we are.”
He followed her into the gastropub, the name Gourmet Buns stenciled on the wood-paneled wall by the hostess stand. Once settled in their booth, he looked around at the open space decorated with cedar, steel, and iron.
“Trendy,” he said.
“And delicious.” She pointed to the menu. “Best burger I’ve ever had.”
“In Elmwood Falls?”
“Ever,” she said, leaning forward with a playful smirk.
“What about Chicago?”
“Well, I haven’t been. Isn’t it known for pizza, though? Or hot dogs?”
He grinned and leaned closer as well. “So I won’t be disappointed we skipped Al’s?”
“Good God, I hope not.” Charlie laughed.
“Wait, you’ve never been to Chicago?”
“Nope. School and rotations took me through Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. Never really had a reason to go to Illinois.”
“Alright, we can definitely make an excuse to drive down for pizza one day. Maybe a burger too, depending on how this goes.” The words fell easily, the thought exciting him, and yet, he straightened in his seat like he’d made a mistake.
Her smile faded, and she cleared her throat and grabbed her menu.
Rubbing a hand over his mouth, he stared at his menu, wondering what his reaction had looked like. Could she tell he felt her laugh ringthrough his entire body? That he wanted to do whatever he could to make her laugh again? He wanted to forget that she loomed over the business, that he was working there while his dad was recovering, that the financial hit the practice had taken was worse than he’d imagined. That hanging out with her again, outside of the office, was more than appealing.
He’d rather focus on the hints of their old friendship returning. Forget they even worked together. They deserved a night without anything between them—business shit could wait.
