The Tea Room at Rosewood Lane

Chapter 2: Tea and Tension

The bell above the door jingled as Lila stepped into the tea room early the next morning. The town was still quiet, the streets nearly empty except for a few early risers out for a morning walk. The air was crisp, but the sun was already beginning to rise higher, promising a warmer day. Lila had no idea what she was doing, but she knew one thing for certain—she couldn't waste time waiting around for inspiration to strike.

Her grandmother had poured her heart into this place, and Lila was determined to honor that legacy. She had always loved visiting here as a child, hiding behind the tablecloths and stealing sips of her grandmother's tea when she thought no one was looking. But now, standing behind the counter, it felt like she was stepping into someone else's shoes. A pair that didn't quite fit.

She set her bag down and glanced around, the room filled with the same mix of old-world charm and forgotten memories. She touched the chipped porcelain teacups on the shelf, their patterns faded with time. The floorboards creaked under her feet as she moved toward the back, where the kitchen awaited her. There were boxes and crates stacked high, some filled with ingredients, others with forgotten trinkets, all covered in dust.

The sound of boots on the wood floor made her freeze. She glanced over her shoulder to see Theo standing in the doorway, his arms crossed, eyes scanning the room with an appraising look. His presence felt too big for such a small place.

"You're here early," Lila said, trying to sound casual.

Theo shrugged, stepping inside. "I said I'd help out, didn't I?"

She felt a sharp pang of gratitude but quickly pushed it down. She wasn't here to rely on anyone else. She had to prove she could handle this on her own.

"Well," Lila said, glancing around. "I thought I'd start by cleaning up, getting rid of some of the old clutter. Maybe see what's salvageable."

Theo walked to the counter without responding, running his hand along the old wood. "You sure you want to clean it up? Could be more work than it's worth." His voice was low but steady, like he was used to delivering harsh truths.

Lila hesitated, her fingers curling around the edge of a porcelain teacup. "I'm not here to completely gut it, Theo. It's still my grandmother's place. I just need to... bring it back to life."

There was a moment of silence between them, the kind of silence that settled heavily over a room when two people were unsure of how to move forward. Theo's gaze softened for a fraction of a second before he turned away, making his way toward the kitchen.

"Well, if you're planning on reopening, you're going to need more than just dusting. You'll need a few repairs too," he said, his tone more practical now. "The plumbing's old. The floorboards are shaky in places. The walls are cracking." He ran his hand along the edge of the doorframe, his fingers brushing against the peeling paint.

Lila nodded, biting her lip. "I know. I'll get to it."

He paused, eyeing her for a moment. Then, with a slight grunt, he set down his toolbox. "We'll need to make a list of what needs to be done."

Lila bit her tongue, trying to keep the irritation from bubbling to the surface. She had already made mental lists, endless lists, but they were all scattered across her mind. The last thing she needed was someone—especially someone as blunt as Theo—pointing out what she already knew.

"I can handle the list," she said, a little sharper than she intended.

Theo didn't seem phased by her tone. He just gave a small nod. "Sure. But if you want this place to be more than just a nice memory, you're going to need to make some tough calls. Can't just rely on nostalgia."

Lila inhaled sharply, irritation rising in her chest. "I'm not relying on nostalgia," she snapped, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm doing this for her. For us—for what we built here. I just need some time, alright?"

Theo didn't respond right away. Instead, he met her gaze for a long, steady moment, his eyes dark and unreadable. Then, he sighed and dropped his gaze. "Alright. You'll get your time." He turned on his heel and made his way to the back room. "But if you change your mind, I'm here to help."

Lila stood in the center of the room, her chest tightening. His words cut deeper than she expected. It wasn't that she didn't want help. It was that part of her feared that accepting it meant admitting she wasn't enough on her own. She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced herself to take a breath. This was hers to build, her chance to prove she could make it work.

She shook her head, as if trying to rid herself of the moment. With a swift motion, she grabbed the broom and started sweeping, the steady rhythm of it calming her mind, grounding her. But as she moved through the room, her eyes kept drifting to the space where Theo had been. His words lingered like smoke, still burning in her chest.