Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Sophia

T he aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries fills the air as I settle into what's quickly becoming my favorite corner of Coffee Loft. Jake slides onto the seat across from me, two steaming cups in hand. My fingers brush his as I take my Lofty Spiced Vanilla Latte, and I try to ignore the little spark that jumps between us.

"Ready to dive in?" Jake asks, his deep blue eyes twinkling with excitement.

I nod, pulling out my laptop. "Let's see what people are saying about Michael and Lily's day."

We spend the next hour poring over comments, messages, and emails. The response is overwhelming, to say the least. People from all corners of Wilmington and beyond are loving the content, and quite a few of them are reaching out, asking how they can get involved with the Wishing Wall.

"Look at this one," I say, turning my screen toward Jake. "It's from a local bakery. They want to know if they can donate treats for future wish fulfillments."

Jake leans in, his shoulder brushing mine as he reads. "That's nice." Something in his tone makes me look up. He doesn't look as excited as I feel.

"That's fantastic. We could set up a network of local businesses willing to contribute." I jot down the idea, my mind already racing with possibilities. "And here's another from a retired teacher. She's offering free tutoring services if we ever come across a student in need."

"The community's really rallying around this, huh?" Jake's voice is soft, filled with wonder along with the reluctance I noticed.

I look up at him. "It's all thanks to you, you know. You started this."

He shakes his head, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "I don't know about all that."

Before I can respond, Matthew approaches our table, a wide grin on his face.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite dynamic duo," he says, clapping Jake on the shoulder. "I just wanted to congratulate you both on the amazing job you're doing. Sophia, your coverage has been phenomenal. The buzz around town is incredible."

I feel a surge of pride at his words. "Thank you, Matthew. It's been a pleasure working on this project."

Matthew's grin widens as he looks between Jake and me. "You two make quite the cute couple, you know. Your passion for this project really shows."

I bite my lip, and Jake shifts uncomfortably in his seat. "Oh, we're not... I mean, we're just..." I stammer.

"Just good friends and colleagues," Jake finishes for me, though I notice he doesn't quite meet Matthew's eyes.

Matthew raises an eyebrow but doesn't push the issue. "Well, keep up the great work, you two," he says before heading back to the counter.

As soon as he's out of earshot, I turn to Jake, ready to laugh it off. The sound dies on my lips as I catch him looking at me with an intensity that makes my heart skip a beat.

For a moment, we just stare at each other, unspoken words floating in the space between us.The pull I've been feeling toward this man isn't going anywhere. Maybe it's time to take a chance, to see if there's something more here than just a professional partnership.

I take a deep breath, ready to ask Jake if he'd like to grab dinner sometime when my phone rings.

Frustrated, I glance at the screen. It's an unknown number. I'm about to ignore it when Jake nods encouragingly. "Go ahead, it might be important."

Sighing, I answer the call. "Hello?"

"Is this Sophia Martinez?" a deep voice asks.

"Yes, this is she."

"Hi, Sophia. This is Marcus Chen. I'm a local artist. I've been following your stories about the Wishing Wall, and I have an idea I'd love to discuss with you. Are you free to meet?"

Intrigued, I ask him a few questions and agree to join him at a nearby gallery. As I hang up, I turn to Jake, excitement bubbling inside me. "That was Marcus Chen, a local artist. He is creating a mural inspired by the wishes and wants me to document the process. He's wants to meet at the Wilmington Art Gallery."

"That sounds amazing." Jake's eyes light up. "When?"

"Now." I glance at the time on my phone. "He'll bet there for another hour."

Jake looks across the busy coffee shop. "Julie isn't coming in until later. I can't–"

"I get it. What if I meet him and get a better feel for what he has in mind?" I ask. "The Wishing Wall is your project, and I'm sure he wants to talk to you as well…

"You're right." Jake squares his shoulders. "Besides, he called you. Go see what's up and we'll take it from there."

"Are you sure?" I scan his face, trying to read his guarded expression. "I could reschedule."

He nods. "No need. Go get ‘em, reporter."

Half an hour later, I'm standing in front of a large, blank canvas with Marcus, his eyes alight with creative energy as he explains his vision.

"I want to create a visual representation of the community's wishes," he says, gesturing expansively. "Each wish could be a different color, blending together to form a larger image of hope and unity."

As he talks, I can almost see the mural taking shape. The wishes flowing together, creating something beautiful and inspiring. It strikes me then—this is more than just a story about a wishing wall or a mural. It's about how art can inspire and bring people together.

"Marcus," I say, my mind racing with possibilities, "I think this could be the start of something bigger. What if we involved other local artists? Created a series of works inspired by the wishes?"

"A community art project? That could be powerful." The man looks like he means it.

We spend the next hour brainstorming ideas, the energy in the room electric. By the time I leave, I have pages of notes and a head full of plans.

As I walk back to my car, I can't help smiling. This story is evolving in ways I never expected, touching more lives and inspiring more people than I could have imagined. And at the center of it all is Jake and his Wishing Wall.

I pull out my phone, ready to share the exciting news with Jake. But as I start to type, I pause. Maybe this is something better shared in person. Over dinner, perhaps?

With a smile, I put my phone away and start the car. It's time to take a chance, both professionally and personally. After all, isn't that what the Wishing Wall is all about?

I return to Coffee Loft, my mind still buzzing with ideas from my meeting with Marcus. As I push open the door, the cheerful chatter of afternoon patrons greets me, but my attention is immediately drawn to Jake. He's seated at a corner table, deep in conversation with a man I recognize as Tom Larson, the owner of Wilmington's most popular seafood restaurant.

Their animated discussion floats across the room, punctuated by Jake's enthusiastic gestures. I hang back, not wanting to interrupt. It's fascinating to watch Jake in his element. His eyes shine with passion as he talks about the Wishing Wall.

"So, the city manager mentioned this community event you're planning," Tom says, leaning forward. "What if we created a Wishing Wall for my restaurant, too?"

Jake shakes his head, his expression a mix of appreciation and protectiveness. "I appreciate the offer, Tom, but the Wishing Wall is unique to Coffee Loft. It's about more than just wishes—it's about the community we've built around it."

"Fair enough. How about this? We could create a special menu item inspired by the Wishing Wall and donate a portion of the proceeds to help fulfill wishes. And of course, I'd be happy to help if my restaurant could host one of the wishes," Tom says, his booming voice carrying through the restaurant, causing quite a few heads to turn.

Jake hesitates, clearly mulling over the proposal. My mind immediately jumps to the wish from the elderly husband who wants to do something special for his wife on their anniversary, but on a limited income. A romantic dinner at Tom's upscale restaurant could be perfect.

After a moment, Jake's face softens. "You know, that could work. The special menu item is a great idea, and having your support for wish fulfillment would be incredible."

Tom grins, clapping his hands together. "Excellent! It's a win-win for both of us. Your Wishing Wall gets more support, and we get to be part of this amazing community initiative."

As they continue discussing details, Tom's eyes suddenly land on me. His face lights up with recognition. "Hey, aren't you Sophia Martinez from WILM? Your coverage of the Wishing Wall has been fantastic!"

Jake turns, a smile spreading across his face as he sees me. But there's something else in his expression. Maybe it's concern that I'm about to steal the show.

"Sophia, come join us!" Tom waves me over. "We were discussing the community event and how my restaurant might get involved."

I walk over, trying to keep my expression neutral despite the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. "Hi Tom, Jake. Sorry to interrupt."

"Nonsense!" Tom exclaims. "Your input would be invaluable. In fact, I hope you're in charge of promoting the event. Your reach will really boost participation!"

I feel a flush of pride at his words, but it's quickly followed by a twinge of discomfort. I'm acutely aware that I've been encroaching on Jake's project. This is his passion, his baby.

As Tom continues to talk about his involvement, I sneak a glance at Jake. He's smiling, but there's tension there. Small lines around his eyes that weren't there when he watched Lily play at the park.