Chapter One
Valerie
Fall is without a doubt my favorite time of year, especially as I watch the town of Hollow Oak slip into the holidays. The tourists return home, and I can once again recognize most of the faces around here. The cozy feeling of being in a small town comes back, and I’m reminded of why I’ve always loved living here.
I make my way down Main Street toward the Sweet Spot to get my morning coffee fix. I’m a bit more excited than normal because my best friend is getting married, and today she’s coming in to try on dresses. There’s nothing better than that, but it’s even better because I own the bridal shop. I love finding brides their dream dresses, but it’s extra special when it’s someone I love.
Not only am I helping her get her dress, but I’m going to be a part of the wedding too. A wedding that’s been a long time coming. Julie and Jacks have been in love before we even knew what love was. We all knew they’d get married, and finally they’ve set a date.
“Valerie,” Claire calls from behind the counter when I enter the coffee shop.
“Morning.” I scrunch my nose when the smell of pumpkin assaults me.
It’s the one thing about fall that I don’t love. Why would anyone ever pick pumpkin spice when you can have classic chocolate? Then again, I’ve always been a traditional girl. So much so my friends tease me about it. What’s wrong with wanting things to go a certain way? I love structure and the predictable. I don’t see what’s so bad about that. I know what I want, and I’m not going to settle for less.
“Please tell me you’re still making chocolate croissants and not swapping them out with pumpkin muffins or something,” I say when I scan the display case and don’t see them.
“Oh god.” She bumps her forehead with the palm of her hand. “I’m so dumb. Someone just came in and bought them all. I should have pulled one for you. I’m so sorry.”
“Someone bought all of them?”
“Yeah, I’m so sorry, Valerie,” she says again.
“It’s fine.” I sigh. “I’ll just have a coffee today. I do have to fit into a bridesmaid's dress soon anyway.” Claire rolls her eyes at me.
“You’ll take a chocolate chip muffin top and you’ll eat every bite because I made it.”
“Don’t twist my arm,” I laugh as she makes me a coffee.
“I’m so excited Jacks and Julie are finally getting married. I’m shocked they waited this long. They’ve been engaged since high school.”
“They have,” I agree, not willing to say more.
The truth is Julie’s parents are so controlling that they think they should wait even longer. Thankfully, Julie finally put her foot down. I don’t get their deal. Jacks is a good guy, and they should be happy for Julie. He’ll be an incredible husband. He’d do anything to make Julie happy.
“Here you go.” She hands me my coffee and a to-go bag with my muffin. “I’ll save a croissant for you tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” I say before heading back out the door.
I glance both ways before I cross the street to get to the bridal shop that’s been in my family for generations. My mom handed over the reins after I graduated from college this past spring. I’ve been working in the shop most of my life in one way or another.
Mom and I fought about college. I didn’t think I needed to go because I could run this place with my eyes closed, but she insisted that I needed to get out of Hollow Oak for a few years. She wanted to make sure this is what I really wanted and I wasn’t taking the shop over because I felt I had to. I understood and went away to school, but I’m happy to be back home. Though some things have changed around here.
Tidas Combs being one of them. My eyes narrow when I see his car parked in front of my shop.
There used to be an insurance company next to the bridal shop, but Mr. Brookes closed his doors and retired last summer. That’s when Tidas swooped in and bought the place for his law firm. Apparently he was some big-shot lawyer in the city but moved his office out here for some reason. Of course he has to be a divorce lawyer. Out of all things to move in next to my bridal shop, it’s that.
I swear he’s always going out of his way to try and needle me. He has from the first moment we met when I’d been home on spring break from college. At the time I was only a few months away from graduating, but whenever I was home I’d help my mom out at the shop. That first morning, I’d pulled up outside and saw Tidas Combs sitting on the bench out front. He had the audacity to try and talk me out of going in, spouting off about how most marriages end in divorce. Worse, he tried to talk me into coming into his office to talk about prenups.