𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐄 𝐌𝐘 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒, 𝐉.𝐇.𝐊

iv.

I waited in the entryway for what felt like a while before I heard the knock on the door. I eagerly got up and opened the door for Jonah.  He stood there in a dark sweater and his hair perfectly curly. He leaned slightly against the doorway.

"Hey. Ready to go?" He asked. I grinned and nodded as I walked out the door with him. I didn't see a car in the driveway.

"You didn't drive here?" I questioned. 

"No. When I tell you it's barely a walk, I mean it. Almost everything is walking distance here, so most people don't even use their cars. Sorry if you were expecting a drive." He spoke.

"Oh no not at all, it's totally fine." I assured him. He nodded at me and we began the walk. "So, you lived here your whole life, huh?" 

"Well, almost. We moved here when I was two, according to my mom. Apparently we lived more in central London, but my dad wanted to get away from the city and apparently my mom thought that was totally ok, so they packed up everything and moved here. It's weird, I know, but they wanted to, so they did." He explained. 

"It's not that strange. Aunt Jane did the same exact thing. She packed up everything and left Chicago for this random small town in England. There must be some sort of alluring charm to it." I chuckled. He snickered. I could already see the town coming into view. He didn't lie, it was a really short walk.  "Anything I should know before we start the tour?" I said, jokingly. 

"Let's see....Well, the plan is, we stop by the bakery and say hi to Marcel and Nana. They are the sweetest people you will ever meet. They are the town grandmas. They act like everyones grandma and there is nothing you can do about it. Then we will walk the streets and I will introduce you to more people as I give you a professional tour." 

"A professional tour?"  I questioned. 

"Obviously," He said sarcastically. " Now let me finish. You have to meet Callie, she's a really great friend of mine. Oh! and Jameson, he's like a little brother to me. He should be roaming around at this time. And-"

"Ok, ok" I cut him off, "I get it. We're pretty much here, so where to now?" I gestured to the town drawing ever closer. 

"To the bakery. Just follow me." He grabbed my hand and pulled me in the right direction. His grip on my hand sent a wave of shock through my body. I froze for a moment before following him. I tried to make conversation to not make the moment awkward. 

"What do they bake?" I stuttered nervously. He didn't seem to notice. 

"What type of question is that? Anyway, you'll know it when you smell it. It smell's like you just walked into heaven." He replied. I bobbed my head in response.  We approached a two story wood building, and he was right. It smelled amazing, even from the outside. We walked through the door, a welcome bell rung. Everyone in the bakery turned to see who had just entered. 

"Jonah!" Most of them collectively cheered. He must be close with the townspeople. 

"Hello everyone!" He said as he pulled me through the crowded room to the front counter. "What's your favorite pastry?" He asked me, in a much lower volume. 

"Croissants. Always." I replied. 

"Well then you're in luck. Nana makes the best croissants." 

"Is her name actually Nana?" I question, skeptical. 

"Of course not. It's Jules, or something, but everyone calls her Nana."  He finally approached the counter, still not having let go of my hand. "Hi Nana!" He shouted. 

"Jonah!" A faint voice spoke. I looked over the counter to see a women, probably mid 70's, with a huge smile on her face. She walked closer to the counter. "How have you been darling? I haven't seen you in here for a couple days!" She asked him.