Page 64 of For My Finale
“Okay,” she said. “But I swear, if this turns out to be some fancy celebrity nonsense…”
“It won’t be,” Lilah promised, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Now, come on, we’re going to be late.”
She took Blossom’s hand and led her outside, the cool evening air wrapping around them as they started walking toward the village.
Blossom cast Lilah a sideways glance. “You’re still not going to tell me what’s happening?”
Lilah squeezed her hand. “Nope.”
Blossom huffed, but let it go, curiosity warring with anticipation.
She let herself be led through the village streets, Lilah at her side, her heart drumming with curiosity. And it wasn’t until they were almost there that she saw that the cafe was lit up, the windows glowing with cozy comfort.
Lilah had to practically drag her in.
The cafe was full of people. Her people. Ives was there, standing near the counter with a drink in her hand. Arty, Gloria, Mrs. Wilkins, Daisy, even George. Streamers had been strung up, and someone had draped fairy lights around the walls. The smell of home-cooked food filled the air, and the whole room was buzzing with an infectious energy.
Blossom stared around in awe. The entire village was here.
On a small table close to the coffee machine there was a blackboard propped up, with the words ‘Save Blossom’s Cafe’ written in big, swirling letters. Beneath it, there was a picture of a QR code and a small explanation about crowdfunding. Blossom blinked at it, overwhelmed.
“I…” Her voice caught, and she turned to Lilah, whose face was alight with excitement. “You did this?”
“Surprise,” grinned Lilah. “You look like you need a drink.” She went off toward where Arty was tending a pop-up bar.
Before Blossom could even begin to process everything, Ives appeared at her side and gently took her elbow, leading her toward the counter. “Come on, let’s talk for a second.”
Blossom let herself be guided, still trying to wrap her head around what was happening. “Ives, I…”
Ives held up a hand, cutting her off. “Before you say anything, just listen. This was all Lilah’s doing. She got everyone together,organized everything, even convinced the most stubborn villagers to contribute. You wouldn’t believe how much she’s been running around behind the scenes over the last forty-eight hours.”
Blossom swallowed the lump in her throat. “I never asked for this.”
“No,” Ives agreed. “But you needed it, and you deserve it.” She nodded toward the board. “You should get enough to give you a decent start on this bookshop cafe idea, which Lilah told me all about and, I think is brilliant, by the way.”
“Coming around to the idea of Lilah, then?” Blossom couldn’t help but ask.
A smile twitched at the corner of Ives’s lips. “Maybe she’s alright.”
Blossom let her eyes drift over the cafe again, soaking in the warmth of the people who’d shown up for her. For her dream. It was almost too much to take in. She turned back to Ives, and without another word, she pulled her into a tight hug. Ives grumbled something about being sentimental, but still hugged her back.
When she finally broke away, Blossom went in search of Lilah. She found her in the small backroom of the cafe, pulling out a new crate of tonic bottles. Without hesitating, she stepped forward and turned Lilah around.
“You did all of this for me.”
Lilah smiled. “You needed a push. And, well, I like seeing you happy.”
“I’m going to do it,” Blossom said, fully decided now. “I’m going to see this project through. It’s big and it’s scary and it’s a change, but you’ve taught me that I can do this. This is going to be the best bookshop cafe in Bankton.”
“The only one,” said Lilah, laughing. “Why not make it the best in the county? Or the world?”
“I’ll settle for the best in the county for now,” Blossom said, smiling back at her. “And thank you doesn’t seem like enough.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll think of something,” Lilah said, cockingan eyebrow and giving Blossom a lascivious look.
Blossom stepped in, put her arms around Lilah’s neck, and kissed her soundly.
There was the sound of someone clearing their throat from behind them.
