Runa sighed as she unboxed her most recent shipment. She’d been in a funk, and no matter what she did, she couldn’t snap out of it. The shop was thriving, bustling with customers, busier than she could have imagined. Emily was a stellar employee and an asset to the store. Runa finally felt welcomed into the Departure Cove community. On paper, everything was perfect, and she knew she should be happy and content.
But she wasn’t.
As much as she hated to admit the truth, the reason for her dissatisfaction was Chase Everwine. Although the friction with his mother was a hurdle she didn’t want to jump, Runa couldn’t help but wish they could have given things a chance. There was magnetism between them, an undeniable connection, and if given the opportunity, she believed that spark could have ignited into a full-blown flame.
It had been two weeks since she’d told Chase to leave her alone, and she’d second-guessed her decision every day since. She couldn’t stop thinking about him, partially because he kept dreaming up new ways to change her mind.
He’d sent a dozen roses to the shop on three separate occasions, followed by expensive chocolates. One evening she’d arrived home and found he’d had dinner delivered with a note that simply said I’m thinking of you. He’d respected her wishes about not calling, but he had texted her several times, each message sweeter and more sentimental than the last. His various gestures let Runa know he hadn’t given up on them.
Emily told her over and over that she should ignore his mother and listen to her heart, but she wasn’t sure. Runa couldn’t handle Camille Everwine’s obvious hatred and disapproval, especially when she had done nothing to deserve the woman’s vitriol.
“Do you want me to change out the mannequins in the front of the store? We have those new dresses that would look great on display,” Emily suggested.
“That’s a good idea. Let’s do it,” Runa agreed.
The two women were lost in creative concentration when the bell on the front door jingled, signaling a customer. Runa glanced up from her work, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Chase. Her lips grew warm as the memory of their kiss surfaced in her mind.
As much as she would prefer to hide and let Emily send him away, she knew she couldn’t. She needed to handle the situation. Taking a deep breath, she approached him.
“Hello, Chase. What can I do for you?”
She straightened her spine and tried to keep her voice as chilly and unwelcoming as possible. It was more difficult than she imagined it would be.
“Runa, it’s been two weeks since I’ve seen you. I couldn’t wait any longer.” The sadness on his face tugged at her heartstrings.
“Chase—”
“You said not to call, and I haven’t. But you didn’t say I couldn’t come into the shop,” Chase said sheepishly. “I had to see you.”
Runa cleared her throat and tried to ignore the nagging voice in her brain telling her she was being too harsh on him. After all, Chase’s mother was the problem, not him. Was it right to blame him for his mother’s actions?
“I suppose I should have been more specific about you not calling.” Runa did her best not to meet his eyes, knowing her resolve would crumble if she did.
“Did you get the flowers? And the dinner? And the chocolates?”
“I did. Thank you, but none of that was necessary.” She kept her eyes focused on the floor.
“But it was. I wanted you to know I was thinking of you,” Chase said helplessly.
The desperation in his voice made Runa’s heart melt. She felt the veneer of her hard shell begin to crack open. She tilted her head up and looked at him, the sincerity on his face causing her heart to constrict.
“Look, I appreciate all of it, but this thing between us—whatever it is—can’t happen,” she insisted, trying to make herself immune to his charms. It didn’t work.
“I know why you’re saying that.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know my mother came to see you, to warn you to stay away from me,” Chase stated.
“How could you possibly know that?”
“She told me. She was proud of herself for ‘fixing’ the situation,” he retorted, a flash of anger in his eyes.
“She said some hurtful things to me, Chase,” Runa admitted.
“I’m sure she did. Hurting people is her specialty. But forget whatever she said to you. As I’ve told you before, my parents’ opinions matter little to me.”
“That may be true, but if you and I are together, your mother’s path will undoubtedly cross with mine. I can’t live my life on the defensive,” she argued, trying to make him understand.
“You won’t have to defend yourself. I’ll do it for you. I’ve warned my mother to stay in her place. And if she is ever a problem, you must come to me right away. I’ll take care of it,” he explained.
“I don’t think it’s going to be that simple. Your mother’s feelings are intense. That won’t go away.” Runa shivered as the image of Camille’s angry face surfaced in her brain.
“Perhaps. But she will keep her opinions to herself. Or else.” Chase grinned, but there was an edge to his words.
“Or else what?” Runa inquired, curiosity getting the better of her.
“Just leave my mother to me.”
“I’m not sure it’s going to work.”
“I’m sure enough for both of us.” Chase grabbed her hand and squeezed it, pleading silently.
Runa’s heart begged her to lower her guard and give him a chance. She knew her feelings for him were strong, and from the look in his eyes, he felt the same way about her. She didn’t know how or why, but something about Chase pulled her to him. She was tired of resisting.
“Okay,” she whispered, giving in.
“What does that mean?” he asked, a tinge of hope in his voice.
“It means we can give things a try.”
A giant smile bloomed across her face as she spoke the words she’d wanted to say for weeks.
Chase sighed with relief and pulled her close to him in a crushing hug. He held her tightly, running his hands across her back in rhythmic strokes that soothed her frayed nerves. Being in his arms felt right, and although she couldn’t explain it, maybe she didn’t need to.
“You have no idea how happy you’ve made me,” Chase whispered. “You’re like a dream come true.”
Runa beamed as she allowed herself to be fully engulfed in his embrace. She didn’t understand her intense emotions, or why she was so certain she belonged with Chase. All she knew was she’d been lucky enough to catch his attention, and she wasn’t going to blow it. She’d made terrible choices in the past in regards to men, but her dreams of a perfect life in Departure Cove were coming true. She was going to listen to her heart and forget about the rest.
“So we’ll have dinner tonight? I’ll pick you up at seven?” Chase offered, still holding on to her.
“I’ll be ready,” she replied, feeling completely content for the first time in ages.
Chase pulled away and tilted her face up toward his. He simply looked at her for a couple seconds, seemingly drinking her in. Leaning down, Chase cupped his hand behind Runa’s head, gently pulling her face to his and lightly brushing his lips on hers. The kiss lingered, igniting a spark inside, filling her with anticipation. When he pulled away, it felt too soon.
“See you tonight,” he whispered before he turned to leave.
Runa watched him go, mentally calculating the hours until she would see him again.
“I knew it. I knew the two of you belonged together,” Emily gushed as soon as the door closed behind him.
“He’s really something, isn’t he?” Runa agreed, still a bit breathless.
“He’s a good catch, Runa. Every woman in town is going to be jealous of you.”
Still reeling from the kiss, Runa tried to bring herself back to reality by working on her inventory in the back room. She was going through her list when her phone rang. Glancing at the display, she smiled when she saw it was her mother.
“Hey, Mom,” she answered happily.
“Hey, baby. Tell me,” Asta stated, not wasting a second on small talk.
“What do you mean? Tell you what?”
“Something’s up,” Asta said knowingly.
“How do you know?”
“Your aura is red.”
“Mom, you know I don’t buy into that stuff,” Runa replied with a roll of her eyes.
“That’s your choice, but the fact remains.”
“Fine. Enlighten me. What does a red aura mean?”
“Red auras signify love, passion, energy,” Asta began.
“I suppose that makes sense.”
“It can also be the warning of danger,” Asta continued.
“Well… the first part is accurate,” Runa hinted.
“What are you not telling me, Runa?”
“I’ve met someone, and he’s wonderful.”
“And?” Asta prompted.
“And his name is Chase Everwine—”
“Everwine?” Asta drew in a sharp breath. “No, Runa. You must stop this very minute.”
“Mom—”
“Listen to me. The Everwines cannot be trusted.”
“That’s funny. Camille Everwine said the same thing about you,” Runa said flatly.
“That woman—”
“Look, clearly you had some type of history with them, but that’s in the past. You don’t even know Chase. The fact that you had issues with his parents has nothing to do with him, or with me.”
“Runa—”
“Tell me why you don’t trust them. Give me a solid reason,” Runa demanded, suddenly feeling very defensive.
“Well….”
“Go on. If it’s so imperative that I stay away from Chase, you need to tell me why.”
“I… I… can’t…,” Asta fumbled.
“That’s what I thought. Since you can’t back up your opinion with any facts, I don’t want to hear another word about it.”
“Runa—”
“I mean it,” Runa insisted.
“All right. I don’t want to upset you,” Asta soothed.
“Then be happy for me. That’s all I need,” Runa pleaded.
“I’m not sure I can do that,” Asta answered sadly.
“Then we’re going to have a problem, Mom,” Runa said quietly.