“That’s great, Jourdanne, really it is. And if he doesn’t care about intimacy, then you totally have to do it! This could be exactly what you—and your dad—need!”
We walked around the corner of the inn, and immediately noticed smoke on the horizon. It was hovering over the trees and billowing out in a dark mess. My heart started pounding.
Parvati’s shoulder pressed into mine as her hand frantically searched for something to grasp. “The café! Jourdanne, it’s the café!”
We hurried down the sidewalk as a fire truck raced by. People were coming out of their shops to see. Parvati and I ran quickly until we were close enough to smell the smoke. It was the café, as much as I had hoped it wouldn’t be. We stood there together, arm in arm, watching alongside other curious people as the firefighters exited the truck.
One by one, ten tall, strapping men rushed to connect the hose to the hydrant that was right in front of us. Parvati and I stepped back as two of the men, a blond-haired, blue-eyed guy with a gracious smile, and a dark-haired, green-eyed man with a stern look on his face came over to secure the hose. Parvati gave the blond a little wave, and I laughed.
“You’re ridiculous,” I whispered in her ear.
“Opportune times,” she answered.
After the firefighters were ready, they began spraying down the café. It was a total disaster. The entire front of the café was burned to a crisp. The framing around the window had melted, and the wooden chairs and tables that were once visible from the street were nothing but ash.
“Let’s set up here,” a woman said, just a little down the road. She was a reporter, and her cameraman was putting down his tripod. “Ready?” He gave a nod, then counted down 3, 2, 1, on his fingers. “Good afternoon, Zoe — here with the latest.”
Looking back at the cafe, I clung to Parvati. My only other source of income had just literally gone up in flames. Why was the universe being so cruel?
“You don’t think anyone was inside, do you?” Parvati asked as she kept her eyes to the dying flames. Even the florist shop next door had singe marks around the top left corner of the building.
I took a deep breath. “I don’t know.”
“Excuse me…” Parvati got the attention of the blond firefighter. “Was anyone inside?”
It was like the whole audience paused to hear the answer.
“No, ma’am.” And his words brought a loud sigh of relief. “The alarm tripped automatically, and the owner said no one was here.”
We all relaxed a little. Sometimes our boss would go in and do payroll and other paperwork on Monday mornings like. It was the one day the café was closed throughout the week.
After the commotion settled, Parvati and I walked back to the inn. She was already talking about other jobs she’d have to find. That or she would go back to her parents’ place until the café was repaired. I was out of options. No matter what I thought about the proposition or how it would affect Matt and Leandro’s relationship, it was all I had left. Besides, one summer with a guy didn’t mean I was bound to fall in love. Right?
MATT
I was more than elated to hear that Jourdanne would be coming by. We planned to review the contract together, and hopefully she’d stay and spend some more time at the house. I arranged to have flowers brought in just to brighten the place up, and I ordered a tray of snacks and sweets from the local bistro downtown. Everything was set for the perfect night.
“Hello,” she greeted me at the door. The second I saw her face, everything in the world melted away. No worry, no loneliness—no Leandro. She was wearing a pale pink spring dress with little green flowers all over it. The hem sat just above her bare knees, and she had brown sandals to match her shoulder bag. She looked carefree, whimsical even, and she smelled like heaven. Lilies and lilacs, it must’ve been.
I closed the door behind her and then met her at her side as I placed my hand ever-so-gently along the small of her back. She didn’t seem surprised by my touch, in fact, she welcomed it. Jourdanne leaned a bit closer to me as she thanked me for inviting her back. She was utterly adorable and every bit the lively personality I needed to see as of late.
“I’m so glad you came.”
“Is Leandro home yet?” she asked as she looked around at the entry and then to the stairs. When her eyes met mine, I shook my head.
“Not yet. His flight is tomorrow evening.”
She gave a nod, then I led her to the study where we had talked the other night. I left her side to pour us drinks, but I watched her take in the room. She went to the vase on the table by the window first. Her delicate hands took hold of a bloom and brought it to her nose for a sniff. Pleased, she smiled, then her eyes traveled around to find the platter of snacks.