Page 20 of For My Finale

L ilah sighed in contentment as the morning light streamed through the windows of the little cottage, golden and warm.

For once, the weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, just a crisp breeze carrying the scent of fresh grass, and not a sign of any animals.

She sipped at her cup of coffee, only instant, but still better than whatever the hell Horlick’s was, and smiled to herself.

Life really was starting to come together. And in ways that she hadn’t expected. The memory of last night’s kiss lingered on her lips and she literally had to concentrate to stop herself laughing out loud like some kind of maniac.

Blossom.

There was a turn up for the books.

The first thing she’d truly wanted in what felt like years. The first sign, perhaps, that things were turning around, that she was going to figure things out here, find a place.

She glanced down at the shopping list on the counter, double-checking that she had everything written down.

Bread, eggs, milk, things that once upon a time she’d never bought herself.

They’d just appeared in her refrigerator like magic.

Grinning, she finished up her coffee, thrust the list into her pocket, grabbed her keys and headed for the door.

Just as she stepped outside, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and groaned when she saw Margot’s name flashing on the screen. She took a second to lock the cottage before she answered with a swipe.

“Lilah, darling.” Margot’s voice was as smooth as ever, all charm and sugary sweetness. “I was just thinking about you. It’s been too long.”

“Ir’s been two days since the last time you called, that hardly qualifies as long,” Lilah said tartly, stepping onto the path that led toward the village. “And it’s about three in the morning over there, you can’t have just thought about me.”

“A good agent never sleeps,” purred Margot. “You know that. And besides, I wanted to check in. You know, just in case you’ve finally come to your senses and realized how much you miss the real world.”

“The real world?” Lilah said, eyes rolling of their own accord.

“You know, civilization. Film sets, premieres, parties. Actually being someone.”

Lilah exhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay patient. “Margot, I’ve already told you. I’m not coming back, as much as I appreciate your persistence.”

Margot made a noise that sounded like a snort. “You say that now, but surely you must be tired of life in the land of cow dung?”

“Actually, life is absolutely perfect in the land of milk and honey,” said Lilah, grinning again with satisfaction as she walked. “The air is fresh, the people are nice, I might have—” She stopped herself, but the mistake was already made.

“You might have what?” asked Margot.

Lilah groaned. It was either answer the question or be bombarded with calls until she did. “I might have kissed someone.”

There was a beat of silence on the other end of the line. “Oh,” Margot finally said. “That’s… unexpected.”

“Life is all about the unexpected,” Lilah said. “So, clearly, I’m building something here and I’m not about to come back. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got things to do. Village things. Important things. ”

She hung up, interrupting Margot in mid-dramatic sigh.

With a deep breath, she slid her phone into her pocket and continued toward the village, feeling lighter than she could remember feeling in years.

Once in the small village shop, she grabbed the things she needed and put them on the counter. Mrs. Wilkins gave her an approving nod. “Nice and sensible,” she said. She raised a questioning eyebrow. “You won’t be wanting any tiger claws or squid urine or anything, then?”

“I think you mean bear claws and squid ink,” said Lilah patiently. “But no thank you, just the normal bread, milk, and eggs will do.”

“I should think so too,” said Mrs. Wilkins with a sniff.

But when Lilah paid, the older woman placed the change directly into Lilah’s hand, rather than banging it on the counter like she normally did. Lilah stopped herself from smiling, but she had the feeling that she’d passed some sort of test.

She left the shop in good spirits and was just walking past the pub when she saw someone frantically waving to her from the window.

“Lilah!”

“Arty?” she asked, stepping through the car park and coming closer.

“I’ve been trying to ring you at the cottage,” he said. “But you weren’t in.”

“Obviously not,” said Lilah. “I’m… here.”

“Yeah, right.” He scratched his head. “Look, I was wondering if you’d do me a favor and come and work a shift behind the bar this afternoon.”

“Me?” Lilah asked, raising both her eyebrows in surprise.

“I’m in a bind,” said Arty. “Anyway, you did just fine last time. I’ll pay you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“It’s not,” said Lilah. “But you should pay me if I’m going to work.”

“If?”

She shrugged. She had nothing else to do this afternoon. “Go on then.”

“Perfect,” Arty said. “Just for a couple of hours. Good girl.”

“Good girl? You can’t say things like that to a grown woman,” Lilah began.

But Arty was already pulling his head back in through the window and clanging it shut.

With a sigh, Lilah continued on her way. As she rounded the corner near the post office, Daisy pedaled past on her post-bike, looking bright and cheerful as always.

“Morning, Lilah,” she called.

“Morning Daisy.”

“Looking forward to rehearsal tonight,” Daisy said, bringing the big bike to a stop. “And have you heard the news?”

Lilah’s stomach clenched a little. Daisy’s news was almost always gossip. “What’s that then?”

“That new bloke working at the bakery’s got a boyfriend.”

“Oh,” said Lilah, surprised and gratified to find that she wasn’t the butt of the gossip for once. “Um, there’s nothing wrong with that, is there?”

“Of course not,” Daisy said, looking slightly offended. “But, and here’s the thing, the boyfriend used to work at the palace.”

“Palace?” asked Lilah.

“Buckingham Palace,” said Daisy in reverential tones. She gave Lilah a nod, as if that proved something, and kicked her pedal around to re-start her bike. “See you at rehearsal,” she said as she rode off.

Lilah shook her head and smiled to herself again as she watched Daisy go. It was strange how quickly this place had woven itself into her life.

But as she neared the cafe, she slowed her steps, drawing out the anticipation of seeing Blossom. Reveling in the morning that she’d had, the way that things were beginning to click together, the life she was starting to build.

She hadn’t expected to want to stay here. That had never been the plan. There had been no plan. But now, well, now things were starting to look a little different .

LILAH STEPPED INTO the cafe and her eyes went immediately to Blossom, standing behind the counter. A customer was paying, and Lilah paused, watching.

Blossom moved with such unconscious grace, her smile natural, her movements elegant.

And Lilah couldn’t believe that just last night, she’d kissed this woman.

Had held her and tasted her, had felt her respond.

Her heart beat hard in her chest. The bell above the door rang as the customer left, and, just like that, the cafe was empty.

Without thinking, without second-guessing, Lilah moved. She crossed the floor in swift strides, skirted the counter, then backed Blossom up against it, pressing herself in, her lips searching for Blossom’s.

Blossom gasped in surprise, but the gasp melted into a soft, pleased sound as she tilted her head and kissed Lilah back. Lilah pressed her body flush against Blossom’s, feeling the warmth of her, the way Blossom’s fingers curled around the front of her shirt.

They shouldn’t be doing this here, anyone could walk in. But that thought somehow just made the moment more thrilling. Lilah felt like she’d spent a lifetime denying herself what she wanted. But now she had permission, now she was allowed, and she was going to enjoy every second of it.

Blossom deepened the kiss, her hands sliding up into Lilah’s hair so that Lilah felt her stomach swoop with an urgency she hadn’t expected. They were taking things slow, she told herself, and yet…

The shop bell jingled.

Lilah practically jumped away from Blossom, her heart slamming against her ribs as if she’d been caught committing a crime. She turned, wide-eyed, to see Ives standing in the doorway, arms crossed, an amused smirk on her lips.

“You know, if you don’t want the entire village knowing about this, you’re going to have to try a lot harder,” Ives said.

Lilah’s cheeks burned. “Right.” She cleared her throat. “So, um, do we go outside and fight over Blossom’s honor now? Or is it more of an evening tradition?”

Ives came up to the counter. “No fighting.”

“No?” asked Blossom.

Ives sighed. “Look, as long as Bloss is happy, then that’s what counts, I suppose.”

Blossom beamed at her. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” said Ives. She eyed Lilah. “And to give you your due, I was worried about you upping sticks and catching the next train out of here. But it looks like you’re actually settling in. It looks like people are starting to like you.”

“You sound shocked,” Lilah said, not quite willing to believe that Ives was going to let her off this easily.

“I am,” said Ives. “Even Gloria was saying in the pub last night that you were helping her performance. Something about having a co-director taking a weight off her shoulders.”

Lilah blinked, caught off guard by that. Gloria was the last person she’d have expected to be singing her praises. She felt a small swell of warmth in her chest. This really was working, wasn’t it?

“Well, that’s something,” she said. She looked at Ives, then smiled. “Buy you a coffee to celebrate?”

“Why not?” Ives said. “To-go, though, I’m not sticking around for all this lovey-dovey stuff.”

Blossom laughed as she moved to prepare the coffee, and Lilah relaxed her shoulders. This was going well. “So, what do you think about this bookshop idea, then?” she asked Ives.

There was a brief and awkward silence.

Lilah felt the shift immediately. She turned to see Blossom giving her a look, one she quickly realized meant that Blossom hadn’t said anything to Ives.

Ives looked between them. “Bookshop?”

Blossom recovered quickly, offering Ives a bright, if somewhat forced, smile. “Just an idea. Nothing worth talking about yet.”

Ives looked skeptical, but didn’t push. “Alright, if you say so.”

Lilah exhaled quietly in relief. Blossom handed Ives her coffee, and Ives nodded her thanks before heading for the door. Just before she stepped outside, she glanced back. “Try not to get caught canoodling again,” she said.

The door swung shut behind her. “Canoodling?” asked Lilah.

Blossom shook her head, but there was a half-smile on her lips that was just too tempting. Lilah gave in, stepping toward her again, putting a hand on her waist, pulling her back in.

It was a good two minutes before Lilah groaned softly, but managed to pull herself away. “People might see,” she said, voice hoarse. She felt like a teenager in high school.

“Fine,” Blossom said. “So, what do you suggest? Renting a hotel room for a dirty weekend?”

“Is that your version of taking things slow?” Lilah asked. She smiled. “How about you come over for dinner tonight before rehearsal?”

“You’re cooking?” Blossom said.

She was in too deep now. “Perhaps,” Lilah said carefully.

“Then it’s a date,” said Blossom.

A date. The word sent a pleasant little thrill through Lilah’s stomach. She smiled, nodded, and picked up her groceries. Yes, life was good. And it could only get better from here.