ee years ago. It was slightly crooked-like most things in her store-but she liked it that way. No

g about Ashton Vale w

the air. He didn't look around or pause to appreciate the shelves she'd built by hand or the carefu

sed the offer," he s

too," Lila said, fli

ser

"And yes, I refused. T

ing piece. "You're sitting on one of the last private

for every man who's tried to buy me out with t

, as if only just rememberin

rse the

used to getting your way. I've read enough about you in the news to know your company doesn't

. "You could rebuild

said. "But I

ow, where sunlight filtered in through the open blinds,

he said, voice a touch softer. "

That was...

e'd passed away just before she found this space and signed the lease. That every crack in the floor

hton Vale. And she did

ged. "I like

ed an e

maybe a little lavender." She gestured to the small

derstanding. Not quite dismissal either. More

the little reading nook in the back. He didn't move any closer, but he stood there, stran

bborn," he

u're just now fi

nod, he turned to leave. At the doo

another offe

refu

alf-smile.

ed again as h

ng a little faster than it should. Not because of his money.

time Ashton Vale would walk through her door-and the