by Daria White
“Not closing myself off. I’m wondering if I need to take a step back. You know, reevaluate some things in my life before I get back out there.”
Gemma smiled. “Where’s this coming from?”
“I talked to my mom. She got me thinking and I’m wondering what the rush is. I can take a break. Why can’t I enjoy my life how it is right now? I’m going to do it.”
Gemma frowned.
Leah furrowed her eyebrows. “What? Why the long face?”
“I hate this happened to you.”
Leah gave a half-smile. “I didn’t mean to ruin the mood.”
“I know you didn’t. I want you to know I’m here for you, no matter what.”
Joy swelled up in Leah’s heart. “Thanks.”
Chapter 6
Cole entered Leah’s boutique, hearing the tinkling of a bell above him. As he examined the store, he clutched the small paper bag in his hand, careful not to crush the chocolate muffin inside. He’d taken a walk through town before his meeting with Leah, and Adele’s Baked Goods was his last stop before Leah’s store.
He noticed the pictures on the bakery’s walls, the smiling framed faces scattered about, bringing back memories of his childhood. Cole even took in the sight of his photo with his graduating class. He and Leah were sitting next to each other, smiling in their royal blue caps and gowns. Life seemed simple then, but as he continued to peruse her store, he was proud. They both had careers they loved.
“Welcome to Morris Style. Can I help you?” a female voice asked him with a smile.
Cole noticed the blonde’s nametag, so he figured she was an employee of Leah’s. “I’m here to see Leah Morris,” he said, returning her smile.
“I’ll let her know you’re here.”
He then spotted Leah on the other side of the store tending to a customer. She appeared relaxed but confident as she conducted her business, having grown from the girl he knew in high school. Leah back then was much more reserved and shy, but what he saw was a gorgeous businesswoman.
Cole watched as the blonde whispered something in her ear and Leah immediately looked in his direction. The moment their eyes met, her face brightened.
He gazed at her as she made her way to him, his insides tightening with anticipation. She seemed to float as she walked. Her glossy hair was half up in a ponytail in loose spiral curls, a few locks draping over her shoulder. Cole drew in his bottom lip between his teeth.
“Hey, you’re early.”
“If you’re on time, you’re late.” Then he held up the small brown paper bag, purposely turning it for her to see the logo on the front.
Leah’s mouth curved into a smile. “Is that one of Miss. Adele’s famous chocolate chip muffins?”
“I remembered you couldn’t get enough of these in high school. So, I thought I’d bring you one.”
He couldn’t resist buying it for her after stopping by the bakery on the way. It brought back so many memories of the treats they used to share, from the chocolate chip muffins to the moist pieces of vanilla cake. He figured Leah would appreciate the gesture, and he was certain her weakness for sweets hadn’t changed.
She reached for the bag, but Cole pulled back.
He had a condition. “Only if you split it with me.”
Leah laughed. “I only did that in high school to be nice.”
“For old time’s sake?” he pressed with a grin.
“Fine,” she agreed. “Follow me. My office is this way.” She twirled around.
Cole trailed behind Leah to her office at the back of the store. She took a seat behind the espresso desk and pulled up her laptop. Cole placed the paper bag on the desk and took the chair opposite her.
Leah stared at her screen. “I like the overall style of my website, but I want the photos to take it to the next level.”
Cole drew closer as she whirled her laptop to face him. The modern design appealed to the store’s targeted clientele. He then clicked through the pages, noting the prices of her apparel though suppressing a low whistle. She was right. If she wanted the attention of more clients, her photos needed updating. Cole drummed his fingers on her desk as he pondered a strategy.
“What do you think?” Leah asked, interrupting his thoughts.
“Overall, it’s amazing. But I agree with you about updating. The clothes in the background on the website we can keep. What I’m thinking is…”
“What?”
Cole rubbed his chin. “I think you’re what’s missing, Leah.”
Leah lifted an eyebrow. “Me? How am I missing? My name is on the site.”
“That’s it though. Don’t you see? You’re the brand. Morris Style is you. You have other models wearing your clothes and that’s fine, but I think what your website needs is you modeling your own clothes. Your customers will put the face with the name and make an immediate connection.” He paused when he noticed Leah’s body tense.
She did not look convinced.
****
Leah fidgeted with the lapels on her floral print shirt. She never thought about modeling her own clothes. Something was missing from her website, but she never pictured herself modeling her own apparel. Sure, she posted a few photos of herself on social media, and she even had an “About Leah” page with her photo online. Still, Cole was onto something.
She crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap. “You think that will work?”
“I think it will. If we showcase you, I can guarantee you’ll get the results you want for your business.”
Leah then reached for the chocolate muffin, needing something sweet to calm her nerves. She grabbed a small chunk between her thumb and forefinger, relishing the taste as the moist chocolate met her tongue.
“Cole, I’m not a model,” she said after swallowing.
“You don’t have to be. Besides, I’ll talk you through it. All you have to do is be yourself.”
Leah took another chunk from the muffin before passing it to Cole and then wiped her hands with the napkin as she mulled his suggestion. The thought of it all made her stomach do jumping jacks. She nibbled on her bottom lip.
“It’ll be fine,” Cole assured her.
“Easy for you to say.”
“I promise.”
Still, Leah couldn’t keep her introverted ways at bay. She truly thought to have a company logo was enough, but obviously, it wasn’t. How would she look on camera? What would others say once they saw the photos? Leah despised being shy growing up and foolishly thinking she would be past it once reaching adulthood. Now, running her own business, the old anxieties came flooding back. Yet, she swallowed the lump in her throat as Cole passed the muffin back to her.
I can do it. I can do it. She squared her shoulders. “If you think it’ll work, I’ll do it.”
“It was only a suggestion, Leah. We can come up with something else.”
Leah wanted to expand her business and didn’t want to miss the opportunity. “No, I want to. I need to do this.” She took in a deep breath and faced Cole.
His expression softened. “Leah, I believe you can do it. You’re more than you think.”
Leah smiled, allowing his words to wash over her. She took in his deep-set eyes and his stubbled jaw. He had changed so much from the boy she ate lunch with in high school. His beard matured his face. His is athletic build showed more now with his dark jeans and collared sky-blue polo shirt.
“Leah?”
She blinked her eyes refocusing on the conversation. “I’m sorry. I was thinking.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. So… what’s your schedule? If we’re going to do this photo shoot, I’m available next weekend,” she answered.
Cole pulled out his own phone. “We can take photos in my studio, and I suggest the park too.”
Her eyes widened. “The park?”
“So your viewers can see you in a more relaxed environment. I think it will make you more relatable too.”
“Okay, I can see that.�
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“How’s next Sunday? I saw you’re not open on Sundays. After church? Around 2 o’clock?”
Leah marked the date in her phone. “That will work.” She leaned forward. “Is this going to require a glamor team and—”
“If you’d rather it be us, I can do that.”
“What about makeup and hair?”
Cole’s eyes twinkled. “Personally, I think you in your own element is what will sell the photos. How you do your own hair and makeup will look that much more authentic on camera. You’ll be showing you’re a professional in fashion and beauty. Trust me?”
The corners of Leah’s mouth quirked up. “I do. Okay. I’m doing a photo shoot.”
Cole rose from his seat. “I’ll see you next Sunday.”
Leah stood up and, before she could stop herself, walked around her desk and embraced Cole. Even in her heels, she had to stand on her tiptoes to reach over his shoulder. His long arms encircled her waist for a moment, but then he broke away. Leah caught a whiff of his woodsy cologne but stepped back.
“Thank you. I appreciate it,” she said.
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you next Sunday if I don’t see you before then.” With that, he turned to leave but faced her again. “Enjoy the rest of the muffin.”
Leah laughed as he left her office. She walked back to her office chair. She sunk into her seat, her eyes widening as she pondered what she’d agree to. Could she do it?
She pressed her hand to her lips while she returned her attention to her laptop. As she scrolled through her current pictures, she drew in her bottom lip between her teeth. A chill went through her. Focus Leah. She opened a new browser and typed an email to her web designer.
****
“You’re a sweetheart,” her mother said. She reached for the grocery bag containing the buttermilk.
Leah rubbed her palms together. She sat at her mother’s kitchen island. “What’s all this, anyway?”
“Your father likes buttermilk in his waffles.”
“I thought he was slowing down with the waffles, hash browns, and sausage—”
“Except for Sundays. He’s usually good with his diet. Besides, I haven’t made buttermilk waffles in a while for him. It’ll be a treat.”
Leah rested her elbows on the countertop. She rubbed her forearms. She saw the goosebumps surface.
"Are you okay, Leah?
“Uh, huh.” She kneaded her shoulder.
“You seem tense.”
“You could say that, but I’ll be fine.”
Her mother raised an eyebrow. “Well? What is it?”
Leah sighed. “I’m updating my website. The pictures I have are okay but Cole thinks—”
“Cole?”
“Yeah, I hired Cole to update my photos. The thing is… he thinks I need to model the clothes.”
Her mother nodded. “You can trust Cole. Like old times I see. That boy loved eating my peanut butter cookies.”
Leah ran her fingers through her hair. “He had a sweet tooth.”
“So did you. Something else you have in common.”
“Mom, don’t meddle please.”
“All I know is, outside of Gemma, he’s the best friend you ever had.”
“We’re still friends. We didn’t keep in touch like we should have but…”
“But what?”
“It was like we… we picked up where we left off with no problem. It was as if no time had passed at all.”
“Your eyes lit up.”
Leah blinked. “What are you talking about?”
Her mother wagged a finger at her. “You can’t fool your mother. I know that look.”
Leah straightened in her seat. “Mom, I don’t know what you mean. We’re only working together for my website.”
“That’s the same thing you told me when you had a crush on his brother.”
The pit of Leah’s stomach fell. “And look how that turned out.”
“It may not have worked out with Seth, but honestly, I always thought Cole was a better fit for you.”
Leah laughed. “You must really want grandchildren.”
Her mother slipped her a curious glance. “You can joke all you want to—always joking to divert the conversation. Just like your father.”
She folded her hands in her lap. “That’s not a bad thing, but really, Mom, I’m okay.”
Her mother’s eyes squinted as if she didn’t believe her. “Okay, I’ll let it go for now.”
Leah checked her watch. “I should head home.” She walked over to hug her mother.
“Leaving so soon?” her father asked. He straightened the lapels of his shirt.
“Yes, I’ll see you both later.” She hugged her father. He kissed her forehead and the corners of Leah’s mouth turned up. She stood on her tiptoes and whispered to him, “Enjoy your buttermilk waffles.”
“I will, sweetie.”
Her mother gestured between the both of them. “What’s that, some secret father-daughter language?”
Leah grinned, grabbed her purse, and sauntered to the front door. As she strolled to her car, her mother’s words replayed in her mind. Cole and me?
Chapter 7
Leah kicked off her heels as she entered her house. Tossing her keys in the basket, she picked up her shoes and strolled to her bedroom. After changing into her pajamas, she searched her refrigerator for leftovers and searched her leftover stir-fry on the middle shelf. After fixing herself a plate and heating it up, Leah took a seat on her couch.
Anxiety swirled through her. Modeling her own clothes for her own site? It never even crossed her mind before. Not bothering to turn the television on, she pondered the idea, eating faster than she probably should. She finished her dinner in record time, though tasting almost none of it, and walked over to her sink to wash her plate. More so than the modeling question, Leah found herself mostly preoccupied with thoughts of Cole. Glowing at even the thought of his name, Leah pressed her lips together. She headed to her bedroom.
It wouldn’t be fair to get involved with him or anyone so soon after her breakup. Though her wish to be happily coupled whispered in the back of her mind, Leah didn’t see it happening soon. Even if something brewed between her and Cole, she didn’t want him to be the rebound guy. Besides, they were friends. Leah didn’t want to tamper with that. Her emotions had already been through a rollercoaster, so dating soon wasn’t in the cards.
It would take time to get used to being single, especially since it was so contrary to what she’d always wanted. She wanted to be a wife and a mother. A half a smile tugged at her lips as she envisioned her wedding day. Her mother’s ivory floor-length wedding dress waited for her even now, tucked in the back of her closet. I wanted to wear it for Brian.
Leah rose from her seat on her bed and moved to her bookshelf in the corner. While most of the shelves contained old yearbooks and pictures from childhood, one shelf had a few books. Leah’s eyes darted to Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera. She clutched the classic in her hands and grinned. It was one of her favorites. While she usually waited until the fall, Leah pivoted and walked back to her bed.
The pages brushed together as she opened to the first chapter. She leaned her back against her headboard and crossed her ankles in front of her. Ten minutes into the book and Leah’s’ eyes drooped. Setting the alarm for the next day, she placed the book on her nightstand and turned off her lamp. She rubbed her eyes and yawned before dozing off to sleep.
****
Cole dabbed his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand. His chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. He raised his chin to admire the sunrise streaming through the clouds. During his jog, he had passed a field of sunflowers with a weathered barn in its center. Cole even spotted a flock of birds rising and flying away all at once, their chirps filling the background.
He walked back to his brother’s house to shower and change. Inwardly, he smiled. Cole then assessed his brother’s refrigerator for breakfast. The corners of hi
s mouth turned up at the sight of his mother’s dishpan, comprising her mouthwatering breakfast tacos. Cole loved them as a kid, so he wasted no time heating two in the microwave.
He played with his phone as he chewed. Scrambled eggs and bacon bits danced across his taste buds. His eyes widened when he noticed he had quite a few emails, mostly job opportunities from potential clients. Some offered jobs were out of the country, but Cole wanted to slow down from traveling. He wanted to plant roots in Piedmont Valley. Not everyone understood his decision, usually those who had never left town. For him, it took leaving to understand what he had, to value the simple things in life.
Cleaning his mess and locking the door behind him, Cole walked down the sidewalk of his brother’s neighborhood, feeling drawn almost instinctively to Adele’s Baked Goods. He smelled the cinnamon in the air long before he saw the store’s sign, making his anticipation grow. The bell chimed as he walked in and Adele greeted him behind the counter, with the corners of her eyes crinkling. Cole smiled back at his longtime friend, who treated him like a grandson. The last time he visited, he was happy to know she and her husband still portrayed Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the children at the community center every year.
“I see you’re back,” her cheery voice stated.
“I was hoping to take two your croissants for the road.”
Adele reached her gloved hands inside the display case for his order. She tilted her head. “No chocolate muffins?”
“Not today. I had to jog to get over the last one.”
Adele lifted an eyebrow. “Sweets never hurt anyone; just don’t go overboard. Besides, you look like you could use some meat on those bones.”
“I promise I’m eating. I still like the meat and potatoes. Like you said, I don’t go overboard.”
“That’s my kind of man.” She handed him his brown paper bag as she tallied up his order.
Cole waited for his change as his eyes darted to the framed photos on the walls.
“Memories?” Adele said.
He sighed. “It’s good to be home.”
“And we’re glad you’re back, Cole. You and Seth. You both were quite a force to be reckoned with back in the day.”