Page 77 of Everything Has Changed
Her words are soft, but they hit me like a ton of bricks.
“Isn’t that just another trope?”
She giggles, and I can feel it dance over my grin. I instantly decided it’s my favorite sound in the whole world.
“That would be the one bed trope. So it would only qualify if that’s what you book.”
I nod. “Maybe I need to pick up a few romance books and take some pointers. These tropes sound right up my alley.” I reach up with my free hand and brush a stray hair out of her face. My fingers lingera little longer on her cheek when her eyelashes flutter at the feeling. “Whatever you want,” I whisper to her.
She hums in response. “Be careful. You keep giving me what I want, and you might have a hard time getting rid of me.”
“Maybe that was my plan the whole time.”
Gwen giggles one more time, but this time she pushes off my chest and takes a step back. I reluctantly drop her hand when she gets too far to hold on.
“Can I think about it?”
I nod. “Take all the time you need. Until Friday, that is. Because the concert is Saturday night.”
She reaches for the door handle of the coffee shop. “I’ll let you know.” With a wink and another wave of her fingers, she finally steps into her cafe and disappears from my view.
I wasn’t lying. I would give this girl whatever she wants. Because looking in her eyes, having her in my orbit, crawling under my skin in the best way possible is the most natural feeling in the world.
“Hot damn, I need a cold shower after that.”
I jerk my head to the side and find a customer set up at one of the bistro tables Gwen has outside. A cup of coffee in hand and a plate empty save for the pastry crumbs dotting the ceramic.
He grins at me, and I try to politely return mine; though this odd feeling starts to settle in my chest. He looks familiar, though that could just be the generic face he has or the ball cap low on his head obscuring the full view.
“I just love young love,” he sighs wistfully. “How long have you two been an item?”
I furrow my brow. “We aren’t together.” The words are true, technically, but they taste bitter in my mouth.
He hmms in response, nodding his head in understanding. “I get it. My wife played hard to get once upon a time, too. Happily married thirty years next August, though.”
“Congratulations.” I’m not completely sure what to say to this obvious tourist, so I just pull a page out of Gwen’s book and shoot a small wave as I start to walk away. “Have a good day. You picked a great time to visit Willow Grove.”
“I did, didn’t I?” He chuckles and tips his hat at me. “Have a good one, sir.”
I keep walking down the street, resisting a look behind me to see if the man is still watching me go. But I wave it off when I think about Gwen again. And the possible date that may or may not include a hotel room this weekend.
I can’t wipe the grin off my face the rest of the day if I tried.
28
Gwendolyn
Imake my way back inside, joining my grandmother behind the counter as she rings up a customer’s order and slides over a bakery box filled with treats. I share a smile with the woman, who thanks Ophelia again for helping her pick out the perfect items to take back to her family but also for the tips on which trails to take.
“Don’t forget, you cannot miss the sunset from Harper’s Peak,” my grandmother offers.
The woman’s expression brightens. “Going to the bed and breakfast now to grab the family. I will not go another night without seeing it if it’s half as gorgeous as you say it will be.”
Grabbing the box off the counter, she waved and practically skipped out of the store.
“Another happy customer,” I muse.
Ophelia leans a hip on the counter, appraising me quietly.
