25. Chapter 25

Chapter twenty-five

Fenella

Me: We need to make honey mead a global sensation

Lavinia: that sounds medieval

Ashton: isn't that what they drink in Laandia

Milo: did you go out without us? Bad girl

Me: You'll see me soon! Party for my birthday! Here

Rupert: Here as in…??

Me: Laandia. Battle Harbour

Lavinia: In the castle!

She sends a variety of emojis of castles and crowns and excited faces.

Me: Even better

Milo: What's better than a castle and all those princes?

My club, I decide.

Coral: Send deets and I'll get them there.

Coral will make sure everyone is there, and while of course I want my friends around to celebrate my birthday, I have to wonder what Silas will think of them.

And what they will think of Silas.

I think a lot about Silas—more than I should for someone who may not be thinking of me.

I like Silas. I like him as a person, and I like him more than a friend. I'm fairly certain he feels the same way.

If this were the old Fenella, even three-week-ago Fenella, I would take Silas's lack of action in pursuing me and make him fall for me. I could do it to. I've done it before—make a man fall in love with me when he really didn't want to.

I'm very fall-in-lovable. But long-term-lovable?

I haven't managed to become that for anyone.

But do I want to be that for Silas? It's clear he does not want anything more than what we have—spending time together at the shop. Spending time together outside work. Looking at the stars on dark nights, which has to be one of the most romantic things I've ever done with anyone, and I'm doing it with a man who only wants to be my friend.

Has Silas friend-zoned me? Because I'm not staying in Battle Harbour for the unforeseeable future? There's nothing I can do about that… except to stay.

I wouldn't even follow my fiancé around the country while he was on tour. There's no way I'm about to relocate for someone.

Not yet.

But what if…

A text chimes from an unknown number.

How are you feeling this morning?

This is Silas btw

He texts me. Silas has texted me, and I didn't even know he had my number.

I can't stop the smile as my thumbs tap out a reply.

Me: Great!!!

Me: Actually… great. No exclamations point. I drank Screech again and I promised myself I wouldn't do that again.

Silas: You really need to stay away from that stuff. I had a bad experience when I was younger and have managed to avoid it at all cost. Stick with the honey mead. Or the shots. You're a good bartender

Me: Maybe I'll have to take a shot behind the bar at our club

It's getting easier to picture a life here. Just a sliver, like a crescent moon cresting over the waves. But I shut it down before it can grow because while Silas is a big part of why I'm enjoying my time in Laandia, I wouldn't stay just for him.

I'd have to stay for me.

Silas: you should come in for coffee

Is that an invitation? An indication that he wants to see me?

He crashed the royal party last night. I think it's obvious he wants to see me.

Maybe he's just a slow mover. Likes the slow burn.

I'm not staying forever. I would really like to see how Silas can burn before it's time to go.

Me: I might just do that. Who's working today?

Silas: Leodie, me and Wyatt. I give him hours on the weekend when he doesn't have practice

Me: Such a nice boss

Silas: Because I let you sleep in?

I send a smiley face in return

Silas: back to work. See you soon?

Me: If you're lucky

Silas: I thought you were the lucky one

That gets me out of bed. Silas does want to see me. I never expected that Silas would become the one thing I can't wait to see in Laandia.

After breakfast, after I say goodbye to Gunnar and Stella, I pack my car with my things and drive into town to move in to Edie's.

It's a sunny day in Battle Harbour with a chill breeze tinged with salt blowing off the ocean. I park behind Edie's building and walk across the square.

Three people greet me by name, one person rushes up to me with an excited grin to talk about last night. He's someone I was dancing with at Ragnarok, but I haven't a clue what his name is .

It's obvious I made many friends last night.

The owner of the candy shop waves at me, and I stop to admire the container of fall flowers outside the flower shop. And then I go in to buy some.

Eventually, I make it to Coffee for the Sole. The doorbell chimes as I push the door open. The scent of coffee wafts to greet me, same as it always does, but the shop feels different today. Every table is full, with a lineup halfway to the door.

I'm greeted. Smiled at. Waved to.

Something happens inside me. Everything is warm, liquid, sweet, like a vat of honey that's been sitting in the sun.

"Fenella, I heard you were rocking out with the king last night." Mrs. Geordie stands before me with her flat white and an impressed smile. "I had a very memorable night dancing with him years ago, and I've never forgotten it."

"Duncan would be one I'd never forget a night with," Mrs. McKibbon chimes in. "That man keeps getting better with age."

"It was a fun night," I tell them, edging closer to the line. I look up to see Silas looking at me.

Smiling at me.

He holds up a pumpkin spice latte.