~ ~ Beth ~ ~

I sniffed back the rising tears as Chris's words repeated in my head, making a meal of my guts, hollowing me out piece by piece. Not to mention my heart was still going haywire ten minutes after he had left the kitchen.

I'd sat there and listened to him, trying to convince me and himself that this thing between us couldn't ever happen.

People wouldn't accept us, he said.

But did it matter what other people thought?

Was he right?

Would Cal and April make me choose? Would they hate him? Hate me?

I didn't have an answer to those questions and if I was honest, I'd never given myself time to think about them.

But surely they'd want me to be happy, right?

And I was sure I could make Chris happy. If he would just give me a chance. Give us a chance.

Yeah, we would need to come up with a plan on how to handle our family, but April had said many times that she wished Chris could find the same kind of happiness that she and Cal had. And my desperate heart wanted to believe once they could see how happy we were, they'd accept us.

But all that was irrelevant if Chris wasn't willing to even try.

Looking down at pretty brown eyes. "What do you think, huh?" I asked Nix. "What can I do?"

Sighing out. For now, it looked like I was stuck with my restless, lonely heart.

~ ~ Two weeks later ~~

"Welcome to Marley's Diner." A smiley woman with spiky salt and pepper-coloured hair and a pink cafe apron approached me. "Would you like a table, hun?"

"Hi, yes." I glanced around searching for a familiar face. "I'm meeting a friend."

"You're new around here?"

I nodded. "That obvious, huh?"

"No. Not at all. And welcome to Lockwood. I'm Gina. Who's your friend?"

"Riley Jo—" I didn't get out her surname before Gina cut in.

"I know Riley Jo. Know the whole family. Nana Em is a national treasure 'round here." Gina flicked her head. "C'mon, let's get you seated."

She sat me in a corner booth and handed me a menu. "All the specials are on the board, but if you're looking for something sweet, then try our blueberry pie. It's my husband's speciality. And you won't find anything else like it around these parts."

"Thank you, Gina. Could I get a coffee whilst I'm deciding?"

"Sure hun."

Whilst waiting, I watched outside, thankful for the air conditioning being on full blast in here. My phone pinged. It was a message from Chris's mom, adding something else to my grocery list. I replied with a thumbs up.

The last two weeks had been crazy busy with Chris's family and friends visiting to meet Nix. And Riley and Adam had come down daily, too. It was safe to say; that I loved Riley. She and I were already great friends.

His parents had been staying for the past five days and were due to return home later today. It had been lovely to see everyone, but it also meant that I hadn't had time to talk to Chris again.

"Hey." I heard an unfamiliar voice and cast my gaze up to see a huge man staring down at me.

I inspected the fair-haired stranger. He did kinda look familiar as I tried to recall where I might have seen him before.

"It's Beth, right?"

Apparently, he knew me and startled, I sat up quickly, watching him slip into the booth opposite me. With a strong jaw and piercing green eyes, my stomach flipped over. But whilst he might be handsome, he had some boundary issues sitting down without being asked.

Who did that?

I was still staring when he held out his hand, offering it. "I'm Aaron. We're neighbours. Aaron Holt."

Oh. Ooh. That's where I must have spotted him, going into the Holt's residence. Chris had said they were a nice family. And polar opposite to Chris's other neighbour, Mrs Lassiter. She was downright rude, insisting my truck was an eyesore and I should consider upgrading if I planned on staying.

Pfft. As if.

"I've recently moved back home," he told me, and I noticed a small scar right above his left eyebrow.

Realising he was still holding out his hand, and I didn't want to be rude, I shook it. "I'm Beth." And then I mentally facepalmed.

He already knew my name. Duh. Idiot.

Aaron smiled. "Yeah, I know." It was the typical boy next door smile, one I was sure would melt heart and panties alike. "You're here on your own?" he asked.

"I'm waiting on a friend, Riley Jo."

"Ah, Riley Jo Lockwood? Yeah, I know her."

"She's married now. It's Matthews. Riley Jo Matthews."

He nodded. "Oh, right, well, I just came over to ask if you wanted to get a coffee sometime or grab something to eat?"

What? Was he asking me out on a date?

I wasn't sure how to respond and he must have seen my surprise and asked, "Okay. How about this? I will give you my number and if you are interested, call me." He wiggled his thick eyebrows. "Or y'know where I live."

I guessed it wouldn't be the worst idea to make a few more friends in Lockwood. "Well, Aaron Holt. You don't have a crazy look 'bout you—so why not." I opened my phone and handed it over for him to add his number.

"Well, look who it is?" My eyes shifted in the direction of Riley's voice, and standing alongside her was Maddy, her sister, whom I'd met a few days back.

"Aaron." Riley's grin widened into a full smile. "You're looking good there, handsome."

Aaron pushed up out of the booth and Riley hugged him. "You too, Riley-Jo. And congratulations on getting married." Aaron side-stepped and hugged her sister. "Maddy," he greeted before stepping back a little.

"I gotta go." He turned to me. "Hopefully, I'll see you around." He phrased it as a question, but I just smiled back.

Riley slid into the booth, followed by Maddy, as I angled my head and watched Aaron leave. Dayum. I had to give it to the man, he knew how to fill out a pair of jeans.

"Soooo, Beth..." My eyes shifted back to Riley's, whose eyes were wide and lit up. "Making new friends, huh?"

Before I could answer, a tray slid onto the table with a coffee and two tall glasses of lemonade.

"Here we are. A coffee for you." A cup was put in front of me. "And I got you your regular girls." Gina set their glasses on the table and then straightened up, pulling out her pad and pen from her front apron pocket. "Y'all decide if you want something to eat?"

Riley jumped straight in. "Gina, how's 'bout you fetch us some of that delicious pie? I've been craving it for days now."

"You got it, hun."

I lifted my cup whilst watching Riley. Now, this was what I didn't get: Why was she smiling like that? Why were those green eyes of hers so curious? Was she trying to dig deep? Was she trying to fish for something?

I didn't have to wait long.

"Soooo, you fixin 'on telling us what you were doing sitting here with Aaron?" She winked. "Y'all looked cozy when we got here."

"Riley Jo," said Maddy, speaking plainly. "Leave her be. She might not want to discuss her relationship with one of Lockwood's finest home-grown men."

I swallowed."Relationship!?" My cheeks heated and my voice pitched higher. "I only just met him."

Riley Jo laughed. "Don't go getting your panties in a twist. We're only messing with you." She shuffled in her seat. "But Aaron there, as well as being hot and sexy. He's also a good person."

My eyebrows dipped. "I don't think Adam would like to hear you say that!"

"I'm married not dead." She flicked her hair over her shoulder. "And I like to make my Adam a little jealous sometimes." Fanning herself. "It turns my husband into a beast. Let me tell you—"

Maddy's hand shot up. "Stop right there, Riley Jo. I'm not listening to anything that will have me blushing when I next see my brother-in-law ." Riley Just laughed as Maddy continued. "Anyhow. Back to Aaron. Everyone wanted to date him in high school, but he was laser-focused on getting good grades."

I didn't see any harm in telling them. "He asked if I wanted to grab a coffee sometime." Shrugging it off. "I think he's being nice because I'm new around here, that's all."

Riley and Maddy shared a look. "Yeah, I'm sure that's all." They both grinned, and the heat from my face spilt over to my body.

Thankfully, Gina returned with our pie and a serving of ice cream. She slid a plate in front of me. It smelled divine. I picked up my fork. "Thank you. This looks so good."

Riley was ahead of me, spooning in a mouthful and humming out loud. "I swear this is the best pie... and I don't say that lightly because Stella, my Nana's best friend, makes one nearly as good."

Wow. They weren't lying about the pie. It was delicious and I took another mouthful.

Riley scooped up some ice cream. "The way I see it, I think Chris might have himself some competition on his hands."

Her words had me jolting with fright. And with the startled inhalation, the mouthful of pie was sucked down and lodged itself, clogging up my throat and denying me oxygen.

OH, MY GOD!

I tried to suck down air. Tried to cough the pie up. But I couldn't dislodge it. My mind exploded into a wild, scattered panic. I pounded a fist high on my chest, but the trapped pie wouldn't come free. I couldn't gasp down any air.

"Riley Jo!" cried out Maddy "Do something!"

Of all the things I'd lived through and survived, I couldn't believe I was going to die choking on a slice of pie!

I pounded on my breastbone listening to their panicked voices. Eyes watering, a large hand landed on my back.

"C'mon, out with it." It was Gina's voice I heard as her hand thumped on my back again.

Finally, I spat it out, and relief flooded my lungs.

"Sweet Jesus, you alright, Beth?" asked Riley.

Gina handed me a glass of water, and I gulped it down. Embarrassed, I looked around at everyone's faces. "Thank you," I croaked. "I'm good now."

"You sure, hun?" Gina rubbed my back in circles. "You gave us a fright there."

Nodding and still sucking in air. "I'm sure."

"It was my fault." Riley looked ashen, shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I should have kept my big mouth shut."

Maddy squeezed her sister's shoulder, offering support. "It wasn't anyone's fault."

I nodded agreeing as Gina lifted my plate. "I'm gonna get you a fresh pie—on the house." Before I could argue, she flipped around and scurried off.

Taking another drink of water, I wiped the back of my hand across my mouth. "What did you mean—" I whispered, leaning forward but glanced around, to check no one was listening. "—What you said about Chris?"

Had Chris said something to Adam about me? They were close.

Riley relaxed in her seat. "I'm not blind. I've seen the way you look at him, Beth."

Oh, god. Maybe it would have been better if death by pie had been fate. My gulp was audible, but I had to ask. "How do I look at him?"

"I've watched you both over the past two weeks and you look at Chris the same way I look at Adam."

The air in the light, spacious diner was now thick with tension.

Riley lowered her voice, softening as spoke. "You're not the only one, Beth."

I opened my mouth to ask what she meant when Gina returned with a fresh plate of pie. "Here you go, hun. You be careful now." She squeezed my shoulder.

"Thank you, Gina. I appreciate it." She tipped her head at Riley and Maddy and went off to serve the other tables. I looked back at the sisters, giving my head a little wobble. "I'm not following you."

Scepticism was written all over Riley's face as she silently said. Ah-huh, sure. "Okay. I'm just gonna come out and say it. He looks at you the same way and his eyes follow you around. Sometimes it looks like he's worried you might just up and vanish."

My jaw dropped.

Riley picked up her spoon again, pulling her plate closer. "So what's in the way? Why are you both dancin' around each other's feelings?"

"Riley Jo. Hush now!" Maddy bumped her shoulder with her sisters. "That's none of our business."

"Puh-leeze." Maddy earned herself a pinch to her bare arm from Riley's fingers. "Don't you try to tell me you're not interested, too?"

Maddy muttered something, but both sets of eyes zeroed in on mine as if they were trying to empty my head of every single thought.

Could I tell them? Should I?

Oh, what the heck. "If—" emphasising the word. "—I tell you." I had all their attention as they leaned in closer. "Then it can go no further—you both promise?"

Another shared look and nodding of heads.

"Okay. You're right." There I'd said it. No taking it back now.

Riley squealed, jittering on the spot as Maddy stuck her fingers into her ears, wincing.

"I knew it," cooed Riley, waving her spoon in my direction. "I'm never wrong about these things."

I shot them both a curious look and whispered. "What? And you don't think it's weird or wrong?"

Riley's green eyes rounded. "Wrong? Love is never wrong. It's a thing of untamed beauty."

Damn. Riley sure had a way with words.

"But—" She dug her spoon into the pie. "—No one ever said beauty was without thorns."

Now I'd told them, more words came pouring. "Chris said that no one will accept us being together. They'll think it's wrong because everyone sees us as kinfolk, y'know?"

Maddy nodded thoughtfully, but Riley looked at me like I'd grown two heads. "Look. There ain't blood between you and yeah, I get your family might take a while to come around." She reached over and grabbed my hand, giving it a little squeeze. "But once they can see it for themselves, they won't stand in your way."

She sounded so confident, so sure that I wanted to believe her.

Riley let go of my hand and sat back. "Look. Both me and Maddy understand. We've had our fair share of people throwing shade our way because of who we love."

Maddy nodded. "That's true."

Riley carried on. "Maddy here just got married to twins, Jackson and Logan, and that had the whole of Lockwood talking and some things they were saying weren't nice at all."

Two men? I looked at Maddy in awe.

Maddy hummed in agreement, her cheeks flushing, adding. "Some folks will never accept us." She glanced at her sister. "But the people that matter, the ones that truly love us—will."

"And I turned heads by marrying Adam. I mean, he's nineteen years older than me and there were whispers he'd gone crazy from the loss of his first wife and our relationship would be a flash-in-the-pan."

I didn't care what other people thought...mostly. "I'm willing to weather whatever storm comes my way." I felt like my life had been intertwined like the branches of a bramble since Chris came into my life. And yeah, it may look ugly to those on the outside, but what we could have together would be worth it. "Because I've tried not loving him."

Matching smiles sat across from me. "Well, we just need to work out a plan."

"Riley Jo..." Maddy said in a warning tone.

"What!?" She picked up her spoon again and scooped up some pie. "Chris just needs a push in the right direction, is all."

Watching her eat her pie, I wasn't so sure it was just the family holding Chris back. Something in his past had shaped his heart, forcing him to erect a wall around it. April had all but said as much.

And then there was the other problem. Heather.

"What's goin' on in that pretty head of yours?" asked Riley, interrupting my thoughts.

I was beginning to wonder if she could read minds. "How do you know I'm thinking anything?"

"Well, you're thinking really hard or you're constipated." She took another bite of her pie and spoke with her mouth half-full. "It's one or the other."

I couldn't help but laugh, and Maddy joined in. But a sobering thought followed it. "I think Chris might consider getting serious with Heather. You've met her, right?"

Riley Jo did an eye roll any teenager would be proud of, setting her spoon on the side of her plate. "Pfft," she started. "I can tell you right now, there ain't a cats-in-hells-chance that woman is charmin' her way into his heart." She picked up her glass of lemonade. "But I will get Adam to grill him 'bout her. See where his heads at."

Was that a good thing? I didn't want Adam and Chris to fall out. "Won't he think Adam's meddling?"

Riley waved away my worries with a swish of her hand. "Adam and Chris are like brothers. And Chis knows Adam only wants what is best for him." She took a long sip.

Okay. I guess I would need to trust her on that. But... "You won't say anything to Adam about what I've told you?"

"No, because he would tell me to mind my own business." She grinned. "And where would the fun be in that?" Maddy shook her head. "So you leave all the details to me." Her smile was pure wickedness. "Just call me Cupid."

"Oh, boy," muttered her sister.

I didn't have any other ideas, but I believed things happened for a reason. Riley Jo pushing us towards the direction Chris was afraid of, might just work.

"Now c'mon. Eat up. Wasting good pie is practically sinful."

"Amen to that," said Maddy, picking up her spoon, and I picked up my fork joining my two new accomplices.