He looked like he wanted to say something but swallowed it down and pointed out another change. I was soaking it all in, but honestly it just felt good to talk and spend time with Jack. Between school, work, and life I hadn’t had much chance to keep up with my social life.
Once omegas finally broke the mold and gained a bit of equality in the eyes of the law and workforce, I’d worked my ass off to show that we were just as capable. Unfortunately that meant I was always surrounded by people and coworkers, but never made many real connections. That was something I intended to change now that I was in Holiday Hollow.
Jack continued to proudly list the stores we were driving by, some new, some old. The bookstore was replaced by an art store, but a new bookstore opened recently across town. I’d definitely have to check it out.
“And here we have the best coffee in town,” he announced as he pulled through the drive-thru of Claire’s Coffee and Confections. “Pick your poison. My treat.” I didn't bother to argue, figuring his small town hospitality wouldn't allow me to pay for my own.
“Well since it’s the beginning of fall, I think I’ll go for a pumpkin spice latte.” I waited for him to roll his eyes, but his smile never faltered.
“I was thinking the same thing. Theirs is amazing, but trust me, you need to get a maple bacon scone on the side, they're phenomenal.” My stomach growled at the mention of food, both of us laughing at the ridiculously loud sound. “I'll take that as a yes.”
Instead of there being a drive-thru speaker, like I was used to, he pulled right up to the first window. A bubbly woman with curly red hair and curves to die for slid the window open, her smile growing at the sight of Jack. She looked to be a couple of years older than us with enough enthusiasm to be mistaken for ten years younger.
“There he is! Let me guess, a caramel macchiato? Apple pie latte? Pumpkin spice latte?” I perked up at the apple pie latte she mentioned, but today felt like a pumpkin kind of day and I had already told him my order. I made a note to come back another day and try that one. Or maybe all three.
“Well, I have a new neighbor, and I told her I’d treat her to some coffee. I'm going to need two pumpkin spice lattes and two of your famous maple bacon scones.”
“It's your lucky day,” she announced. “We only have two left. Let me go snatch them before someone else does.” She literally turned and sprinted away, sliding up to a glass cabinet before another barista. They argued for a second before she returned with a small paper bag and a triumphant grin in place.
“They snooze, they lose,” she laughed, handing it through the window to Jack. She was fantastic and I couldn’t help but think how much I loved this place and the town already. “Perks of being the owner. Now let me get those pumpkin spice lattes, I just ground the spices fresh this morning, you’re going to groan.”
Jack went to grab his wallet but she waved him off, passing the two cups over from another barista.
“No way, new neighbors means it’s on the house.” We both jumped when she practically launched herself out of the window, hanging halfway in so she could grip the edge of the truck door and see around him. She gave me a cheerful wave. “I’m Claire, this is my place. Make sure you stop by, I’ve got new stuff seasonally.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I offered. “My name is Autumn Cedarwick. I just moved into my family orchard.” Her eyes light up at the mention of my name.
“Tell me you're gonna stay. Are you gonna run it yourself? Does that mean you're going to be part of the Fall Festival this year?! Are we gonna have apples again? Oh, and apple cider, I miss making my famous apple cider donuts, I’d always send your grandpa a box, I can do the same for you!” She said it all in one giant rush, not even taking a breath until the very end, practically gasping to catch her breath.
Her enthusiasm and demeanor had me smiling right along with her.
“Yes, to staying, at least for now. The orchard is going to take more than just me, but luckily I have some help. I’m still settling in but making the Fall Festival is the goal. Yes to apples, and a maybe on the apple cider,” I answered her in return, loving her enthusiasm. “You’ll definitely see me around again since I’m sure this tastes just as heavenly as it smells.” I noticed a few amused smiles of the other workers behind her. It was nice to see an omega not only owning a business but earning the respect of the town itself. Just seeing it made me even more excited for the orchard to get up and running again.
“Well then it’s definitely on the house,” she squeaked out before climbing back through the window and waving at us. “Have a nice day, you two!” The suggestive way she said it had me biting back an internal groan. Thankfully Jack doesn't even seem to notice, just smiling and waving back before driving off.
“On to the store?” he asked as he took a long pull of his latte.
“Yes, please,” I agreed before trying my own. “Oh man, this is magical!” I took a bite of the scone and my reaction was pretty much the same.
“The city has nothing on her coffee,” he laughed, driving down main street toward our destination.
I relaxed against the seat and enjoyed my breakfast, grateful for the morning’s turn of events.
Chapter3
Autumn
Weighing my options, I stood in the living room taking in how the natural light brightened up the space. It could still use a little cheering up to make it more homey, but that wasn’t anything a gallon or two of paint couldn’t fix.
After Jack and I had gotten back from the store and all of my delicious yummies were put away, I finally managed to find the energy to unpack. Whether it was from the excellent company all morning or the liquid heaven, I had a pep in my step and I was determined to get things done.
“Please tell me the wall didn’t somehow offend you and you’re already going to run off and leave me,” a familiar voice called through the open screen door. “You just got here.”
“Just debating whether a soft blue or yellow would work better in here,” I said, giving the space one last appraising look. “The only way I’m leaving here before the Fall Festival is if they make me. Did you not tell anyone I was coming into town?”
I turned to finally put a face to the voice I had spoken with the past few months while finishing out my internship. Sure, I’d seen a photo of Riley in one of the photos my grandpa had sent me before he’d passed, but it did nothing to captivate his mischievous smile or fabulousness. This beta was not only going to make my job easier, but my life better, I could already tell. That charisma would go a long way around here, especially chasing away the ghosts of the memories that kept hitting me every time I turned around.
“Well, when I saw your headlights down the drive, I started to make the trek from my cabin. But then I saw you trussed up in those cuffs last night and thought I’d better let you have your fun,” he shrugged, tilting his head to the side and staring past me. “Choose whichever color makes you happy, anything has to be better than what you’re currently working with. I told you this was a fixer upper.”