Page 10

His eyes held mine, and I felt a warmth seep through me, melting the last of my hesitation.
As we talked, the hours slipped away, the conversation flowing effortlessly.
He shared stories of growing up with his siblings, the closeness he had with his sister, his distaste for the rigid, superficial circles of his life in Seattle.
And I found myself opening up, sharing small pieces of my life, my shop, the quiet love I had for this town.
By the time the meal ended, I knew I was in trouble.
He’d stirred something within me I thought was long gone, rekindled a fire that Marcus had snuffed out.
Cole walked me back to my boutique, his hand brushing gently against my arm.
I knew I was on the edge of something both terrifying and wonderful, yet I was scared to take that step forward.
COLE
Lunch with Tori was quickly becoming the highlight of my week. That day, I arrived early at Maple Grove Café.
It was a cozy spot she’d suggested tucked just off Main Street, its brick walls lined with plants and warm, wooden décor.
I couldn’t deny the way my pulse quickened at the thought of seeing her again.
She had a way of lighting up a room just by walking into it.
The more I learned about her, the more that quiet intensity in her eyes intrigued me.
When she finally walked in, my breath caught.
She wore a simple green dress that complemented her dark hair, the color deepening the warmth in her eyes.
I rose as she approached, fighting to keep the eager smile off my face, not wanting to overwhelm her.
Tori was still guarded around me, and though I could guess why, I still didn’t know the full story.
I wanted to respect her boundaries, but I also wanted her to know I was here for the long haul, even if she didn’t fully trust me yet.
"Hi," she greeted, her voice soft but steady as she took her seat across from me.
Her expression was composed, polite, but there was a flicker of something deeper that I hoped to bring to the surface.
“Hi, Tori,” I replied, unable to keep my smile from growing. “Thanks for meeting me here.”
We ordered our drinks, and I leaned back, studying her.
I tried to resist the urge to ask every question that had been piling up in my mind since the first time I saw her.
"So," she began once the waiter stepped away, tilting her head slightly as if weighing her words, "how does a guy like you keep ending up in Oakridge Bay?"
“A guy like me?” I chuckled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She looked down, twisting the napkin in her hands with a faint smile.
“You know, someone probably way too busy for a small town like this,” Tori said.
I shrugged, swirling the spoon in my coffee.
“I’m a little different from my family, I guess. I like space to think, to breathe. I wasn’t expecting to find… someone like you here, though.”