Chapter 13
Esme finally finished cleaning up her little shop. She put her hands on her hips and let out a long, satisfied sigh.
It had been almost two weeks since she’d walked away from Liam.
She’d picked this small town for a reason–the air was fresh, the pace of life was slow, and it was exactly the change she’d needed. The moment Esme arrived, she dove right in and rented a shopfront. It wasn’t big, but it was perfect for the cozy coffee shop she’d always dreamed about.
Now everything was ready. Esme packed away her cleaning supplies and locked up for the night. She caught her reflection in the glass door and surprised herself with a big, genuine
smile.
How long had it been since she’d smiled like that?
The thought sent a tiny ache through her chest–a pain she thought she’d long since buried. Liam, Joy, and their little boy were probably living their happily ever after by now.
“Liam…” The name slipped out before she could stop it. Esme quickly shook her head, trying to clear him from her thoughts. This was her new beginning. She wasn’t going to let old memories drag her down.
As she stood there, lost in thought, something warm and soft brushed against her ankle.
“Mrow~”
A little orange tabby cat rubbed up against her, purring so sweetly it almost sounded like a
question.
“Oh, hey there, kitty!” Esme beamed, crouching down to scratch its head. The kitten flopped over, showing its belly and mewing for more attention.
“This little guy really likes you.”
The voice was warm and easy, and Esme glanced up–she hadn’t noticed the man standing a few feet away.
“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t see you,” she said, scooting over to give him some space.
He smiled and knelt down beside her. The kitten immediately snuggled into his hand, like they were old friends.
“Is he yours?” Esme asked.
He shook his head, that gentle smile never leaving his face. “Nope.” He set down a bag of cat treats and started rubbing the kitten’s belly like he’d done it a hundred times. “Found him around here a few days ago. Whenever I pass by, I stop to feed him.”
“So, he’s a stray?” Esme met his eyes, mirroring his smile.
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Chapter 13
“Looks like it,” he said, his voice low and kind. “He probably wishes he had a real home.”
Watching him with the kitten, Esme noticed how his lashes cast delicate shadows across his cheeks. Something soft and hopeful stirred in her chest.
“Alright then,” she said, scooping up the kitten like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Mrow?” The kitten didn’t protest, just blinked up at her, confused but curious.
“Wait, where are we going?” the man asked, a little thrown.
“To the vet!” Esme said, clear as day. She set the kitten on her shoulder, grinning over at him. “Let’s go!” She was already pulling up directions to the nearest animal clinic on her phone, not giving him a chance to argue.
He blinked, then scrambled to grab his bag of treats and followed after her, still a bit stunned.
He ran a hand through his messy hair, steadied himself, and offered her his hand. “I’m Neil. Nice to meet you.”
Esme stopped and shook his hand, just as formally. “Esme. I just moved here, so… nice to meet you too, Neil.”
The little tabby, not wanting to be left out, placed its tiny paw on top of their hands and let out a
soft “mrow.”
They both looked at each other and burst out laughing.
The shadows of her past seemed to drift away, fading with every step toward the evening.
Neil walked alongside her. “So that cute coffee shop on the corner–that’s yours?”
Esme nodded. “It is. Tomorrow’s my first day open. Guess I’ll have a kitten as my first
customer.”
The orange tabby meowed right on cue, rubbing its head against her cheek.
‘I’ll be there too,” Neil said, grinning. “I’ve actually been curious about your place for a while.”
She shot him a teasing look. “You trying to compete with the kitten for my attention?”
As she spoke, the glowing sign of the animal clinic came into view just ahead.
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