14 It’s on the home
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- It’s on the house
Lila’s P.O.V.
I sat across from Skye at a cozy table at the same restaurant where I had been once before, only during my first visit I had been in my wedding dress, running away from my problems, but now my heart was still fluttering with the excitement of the day. Now, it felt like the restaurant had a warm, rustic charm to it, with wooden beams overhead and soft, ambient lighting that made everything feel intimate and inviting. I took a sip of water, trying to calm myself, but it was hard to do when Skye’s presence made me feel so jittery-and happy.
“I still can’t believe Maggie was so pleased,” I said, smiling at Skye.
“I mean, I was so nervous, and the kids were a handful, but it was… fun.”
Skye grinned, his deep brown eyes twinkling with pride.
“I knew you’d be great. The kids loved you, and Maggie could see you have a real passion for art. You’re going to fit in perfectly there.”
I blushed, feeling a mix of pride and gratitude.
“I can’t thank you enough, Skye. For everything. I mean, the job, the place to stay-it’s all just… too much. You didn’t have to do any of this.”
Skye leaned forward, his expression serious but warm.
“Lila, it’s not too much. You needed help, and I was in a position to give it. Besides, Fairview could use someone like you. And maybe I could use someone like you, too.”
My breath caught in her throat at his words, and for a moment, I felt like the rest of the restaurant faded away. There was something in the way Skye looked at me-something that made me feel like I was the only person in the world.
But before I could respond, Skye broke the moment with a smile.
“And don’t worry about this dinner. It’s on the house.”
“What? No way, Skye, you’ve already done so much-” I started to protest, but Skye held up a hand.
“Relax, Lila. This place belongs to my brother, Koda, remember. We’re just keeping it in the family.”
My eyes widened in surprise.
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14 It’s on the house
“Wait, Koda owns this place? I thought he just worked here.”
Skye nodded, looking amused by my reaction.
“Yep, and speaking of family, looks like Jules is working today.”
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I turned my head to see Jules coming out from behind the bar, her signature mischievous grin plastered on her face. She waved as she approached our table, looking completely in her
element.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my two favorite people,” Jules said as she slid into the chair next to me, giving me a quick hug.
“I heard the good news about the job! That Maggie’s in love with you, Lila, and I’m pretty sure Skye’s not far behind.” She whispered the last part to me as she leaned in only so I would be able to hear her.
I felt my cheeks flush at the teasing tone in Jules’s voice.
“Jules!” I gasped, leaning back so I was able to see her.
“What? I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking,” Jules replied with a laugh, nudging me playfully.
“Besides, with Gran already on your case, I figured you might need someone younger to root for you two as well.”
Skye rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile.
“First Gran, now you. What is it with everyone trying to play matchmaker? Isn’t it bad enough everyone already knows everything?” Skye asked, to which Jules simply shrugged.
“That’s what you get, living in a small town. And also because we know what’s good for you, Skye,” a new voice chimed in, and I looked up to see Koda approaching the table with a knowing smirk on his face.
“And Lila here might be exactly what you need.”
“Koda, seriously?” Skye groaned, but I could see the amusement in his eyes. It was clear he was used to this kind of ribbing from his family. Koda shrugged, unrepentant.
“Hey, I’m just calling it like I see it. And besides, the way you two were looking at each other when you walked in? I’m surprised the place didn’t catch fire.” Koda added.
I couldn’t help but laugh, the tension in my chest easing with the playful banter.
“OK, OK, you guys win. But seriously, Skye’s just been helping me out. I’m really grateful, but
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let’s not make things weird.” I sighed, taking another sip of my water because this conversation was making me blush.
“Weird? Please,” Jules said with a wink.
“If this is weird, then sign me up. You two are perfect for each other.”
“Alright, alright,” Skye said, holding up his hands in surrender.
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“I think that’s enough for now. Lila’s had a big day, and we’re here to celebrate, not to
embarrass her.”
“Fine, fine,” Jules conceded, though her grin didn’t fade.
“But don’t think we’re done. We’ll be watching you two like hawks.”
Koda nodded in agreement, still smirking as he looked between me and Skye.
“Yep. You’re not getting out of this that easily.”
I shook my head, still laughing as the playful exchange continued. Despite our teasing, I felt a warmth spreading through my chest-a sense of belonging that I hadn’t felt in a long time. It was strange how quickly these people had become so important to me, how quickly this
small town had started to feel like home to me.
As the early evening continued, the lively conversation at the table eventually settled into a comfortable rhythm. Jules and Koda had retreated back to their respective roles in the restaurant, leaving me and Skye alone at the table. The playful teasing from earlier still lingered in the air, but it was replaced by a quiet, more intimate atmosphere.
I fiddled with my phone on the table, absentmindedly tracing the edge of it with my finger. My thoughts were swirling with everything that had happened today-from meeting Gran and Mindy, to securing a spot at the art center. But more than anything, my mind kept drifting back to Skye.
He was sitting across from me, his expression relaxed as he sipped his drink. The way he carried himself, the ease with which he moved and spoke, it all seemed so natural-yet there was something else there, a deeper undercurrent that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
“So, how are you feeling about starting your new job?” Skye asked, breaking the silence.
I smiled, grateful for the distraction from my thoughts.
“I’m excited, honestly. It feels good to have something to look forward to. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this… grounded, I guess.”
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Skye nodded, his gaze softening.
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“I’m glad. You deserve something good, Lila. After everything you’ve been through… I’m just happy I could help. And honestly, I’m glad you’re staying in Fairview. It’s nice having you
around.”
I looked down, feeling my cheeks warm at the compliment. Before I could respond, my phone slipped from my fingers, clattering to the floor beneath the table.
“Oh, s**t!” I exclaimed, instinctively reaching down to grab it.
At the same time, Skye moved to help as well, and our hands met under the table, fingers brushing against each other. The contact sent a jolt through me, and I froze, my hand resting on top of his. The air between us seemed to thicken, charged with a tension that neither of us had anticipated.
For a moment, neither of us moved. my breath caught in my throat as I looked up, my eyes meeting Skye’s in a charged, unspoken connection. His hand was warm beneath mine, and I could feel the roughness of his calloused fingers against my skin. The world outside our table seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us in a bubble of heightened awareness.
Skye didn’t pull away immediately, and I found myself reluctant to break the contact as well. His brown eyes darkened slightly, and I could see the conflict in his expression-the struggle between what he wanted and what he thought was right.
Eventually, Skye cleared his throat, the sound breaking the spell. He gently pulled his hand away, picked up my phone and handed it back to me with a small smile.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. I took the phone, my fingers still tingling from where I had touched his.
The tension lingered between us, a palpable energy that neither seemed quite sure how to address. My mind raced with thoughts I wasn’t ready to confront-thoughts about how easy it would be to just lean forward, to close the distance between us and see if the electricity I
felt was real.
But instead, I settled back into my seat, trying to regain my composure. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, my heart still pounding from the unexpected connection. Skye leaned back as well, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before he spoke.
“You know, Lila… I’m really glad you’re here. I wasn’t sure what to expect when you first showed up, but… it feels right, you being here.”
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I swallowed, my emotions a tangled mess inside my chest.
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“I feel the same way, Skye. This place… it all feels like a fresh start. Something I didn’t know I
needed.”
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Our eyes met again, and for a moment, I thought I saw something deeper in his gaze- something that mirrored the same confusion and longing I felt inside of me as well. But before I could say anything more, Jules appeared at the end of the table, breaking the moment with her usual bubbly energy.
“Hey, lovebirds! You two need anything else before I end my shift?” Jules asked with a grin, clearly enjoying her role as the matchmaker. Skye and I exchanged a glance, both of us smiling at the playful interruption.
“No, I think we’re good,” Skye replied, his voice steady, though I could sense the underlying tension that still hummed between us.
“Alright, well, don’t be strangers,” Jules said, winking at me.
“And remember, Lila, we’re having a girls’ night soon, so you better be ready.”
I laughed, feeling some of the tension ease at Jules’s words.
“I’ll be there, Jules.”
With that, Jules gave us a final wave and headed back to the bar where she started to clean before her departure, leaving me and Skye alone once more. The moment had passed, but the charged atmosphere still lingered, a reminder of how easily things could shift between
