Sunlight spilledacross the plush carpet of my hotel room. I didn’t come back to The Plaza to stay–I came to say goodbye. At least for now. To pack up the version of myself I’d hidden in this hotel room for months. Longer than I’d intended. Not that I’d really intended on anything. I was too worried about surviving. The Plaza had been my temporary refuge, shielding me from my reality. But healing wouldn’t begin until I escaped the city’s noise. It was time to leave. I moved through the room with an urgency gathering my things, tossing dresses and heels into my luggage, although I suddenly felt no attachment to them. This journey wasn’t about leaving, it was about choosing something new. Grand Haven felt like peace. I was heading back to the charming town and the bed-and-breakfast. But this time I wasn’t just visiting, I was moving in.
My phone buzzed, startling me from my thoughts. Caleb’s name flashed across the screen, and my pulse quickened at the reminder of him. Caleb Jameson, to be exact. We made idle chitchat while he continued to tend the bar. As the night came to a close, and he had announced last call, I asked him for his last name again because I thought he might have been jokingthe first time. Turns out he wasn’t. I wanted to know so I could google him. I should probably add “hypocrite” to my laundry list of issues.
If he ignored my request and googled me, there was no doubt that he would go running for the hills. With one click, he would know everything he needed to know about who Grace Harrington was.
Everything that I had been trying to escape from. All my indiscretions and failings out on display. The problem was, if that was what he learned, he’d be reading about a stranger. Looking back, all those things felt like they were done by another person, a ghost of who I had become. They definitely didn’t feel like me. Not like the Grace I wanted to be.
I answered, and his warm voice greeted me. “Hey! Ready for your big move?”
“I think so,” I said, smiling softly as I closed my suitcases and sat on the edge of the bed. “Though I am terrified I’ll have nothing to wear.”
He chuckled. “The bar doesn’t have a dress code. But if you’re really concerned, nudity is not frowned upon where you’re concerned.”
“Caleb Jameson, are you trying to get me naked?” I gasped in fake horror.
“I said nothing of the sort. Just trying to help your clothing problem,” he snickered.
“Is that so?” I teased, my heart fluttering at his easy charm.
“Absolutely,” he replied, his tone taunting but sincere. “And speaking of clothing, I was thinking, how about you wear something comfortable to play mini golf once you get settled in? No heels. It’s a high-stakes game, you know.”
“Mini golf? Is this going to be a pool repeat?” I laughed, shaking my head. “Are you asking me out?”
“Yes, I believe I am,” he admitted, a warmth resonating through the phone. “But I can also try to help ease the shock of small-town life.”
“It’s a date,” I confirmed, feeling excitement for what was to come.
It was easy to stay stationary in life when things got hard. The unknown was harder than the misery I let myself wallow in. But the only way things were going to change was if I changed.
After checking out of The Plaza, the train ride to Grand Haven was a blur of nerves, hope, and anticipation. Before I knew it, I found myself walking along Main Street, finding the familiar coffee shop from my first visit.
After ordering my coffee and earning a confused look from Ms. Kenzie, I settled into a cozy corner booth. As I cradled my drink between my hands, I gazed out the window, taking in the rustic comfort of Grand Haven. My decision had been impulsive, maybe even rash, sparked by an exciting yet calming weekend of meeting Caleb and becoming enchanted with this town. I hoped this move was the change I needed.
The coffee shop door jingled, interrupting my thoughts. Jena, Caleb’s friend from the bar, stepped inside and scanned the room impatiently until her gaze landed on a young girl sketching quietly at a nearby table. I people watched as the girl quickly gathered her things, clearly used to this routine, and followed Jena toward the door.
As they passed, the girl hesitated briefly before meeting my gaze. Her bright eyes sparked with curiosity before she glanced toward the door and watched Jena get back into her red car.
“Hi,” I said softly, offering a smile.
She returned it shyly. “Hi.”
“Noelle, get a move on. Jena is waiting and you’re going to be late,” Ms. Kenzie interjected sharply.
Noelle nodded quickly, hurrying out the door. Through the window, I saw her climb into the car before another car honked three times as it passed Jena’s car. Once it drove by, I recognized the car and its owner: Keith.
As they pulled away, I took a long sip of my coffee. From behind the counter, Ms. Kenzie snorted and shook her head. I shrugged off her outburst and watched people go about their day, imagining what my life would look like a few months from now. I longed for Grand Haven to be the refuge I was searching for.
CHAPTER 9
Caleb
Don’t google me.
I had to admit, I’ve heard a lot of strange requests throughout my time as a bartender—both firsthand and secondhand through other people’s stories—but I had never heard that one before.
Grace had breezed into the bar like she owned the world. She didn’t know about my status as the proprietor of Bar, and I wasn’t going to correct her just yet. I enjoyed hearing her candid thoughts on the bar and Grand Haven in general.
There was a tension between us and it fucking killed me to say no to her offer of going back to The Grand. She was sexy as all hell and we already had great chemistry that I was certain would translate into a fun night, but one-night stands weren’t my thing. Sure, I’d had a few casual hookups in the past, but it was hard to separate feelings from the physical. Someone would get too attached, things would get messy, and living in a small town made awkward run-ins unavoidable. It would be the talk of the town.
