The Tea Room at Rosewood Lane

Chapter 5: Brewing Feelings

The days seemed to grow warmer, and with them, the pace of the tea room's revival quickened. The renovation was nearing its final stages, and Lila found herself split between the physical labor of restoring the space and the emotional labor of trying to hold everything together. The tea room, once a quiet escape for so many, was now a battleground for her emotions—an uncertain mix of nostalgia, hope, and the overwhelming fear that she might not be enough to bring it all back.

But every day, as more pieces of the puzzle fell into place, Lila felt a little more confident. The walls were freshly painted, the kitchen sparkled with new appliances, and the floorboards had been sanded and polished to perfection. The smell of fresh-baked scones now drifted through the air most afternoons, drawing a steady stream of customers who were eager to revisit a place they hadn't realized they missed until it was almost gone.

Yet, as much as Lila had grown to appreciate the small victories, there was one thing she hadn't anticipated: how much Theo's presence had come to mean. He had been a constant fixture in the tea room, appearing at all hours to help with the repairs, offer advice, and sometimes simply be there when she needed a moment of quiet.

And yet, despite the ease between them, there was still a chasm she couldn't quite bridge. There were moments when he seemed so distant—his gaze thoughtful, his words sparse—that it left Lila feeling like she didn't understand him at all.

It had been two weeks since the door had opened and she had stepped back into this space for the first time. She had learned a lot since then—about scones, about tea, about fixing leaks and broken chairs. But what she had yet to understand was Theo.

This afternoon, she was deep in the kitchen, pulling a batch of scones from the oven when the door swung open. She didn't need to look up to know who it was.

"Hey," Theo's voice came from the doorway, soft but unmistakable.

Lila glanced over her shoulder. "Hey," she said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Want some fresh scones?"

Theo stepped further into the room, his eyes landing on the warm, golden-brown pastries cooling on the counter. "Are they as good as the last batch?"

Lila chuckled, feeling a little less on edge with the teasing. "Better. Trust me."

Theo grinned, the tension between them easing slightly as he stepped up to the counter. "I'll be the judge of that."

As he took a bite, Lila watched him carefully, waiting for his reaction. His eyes softened with a hint of satisfaction, and he nodded approvingly.

"Yeah. You're getting better at this," he said, his tone light.

Lila let out a relieved sigh. "Good. I was starting to think I was failing at the basics."

"Not at all," he replied. "These are great." He paused, then added with a slight smile, "But you'll need a little more practice with the tea. It's a bit too weak."

Lila smirked. "Too weak? The scones are perfect, and now you're complaining about the tea?"

"I'm just trying to keep you on your toes," Theo teased, but there was something in his voice that made her heart flutter. Was it... warmth? She wasn't sure, but she liked it.

Before she could respond, the door opened again, and Clara stepped in, James following close behind with his usual easy grin. "We're back," Clara said with a wink. "And it looks like I'm just in time for the taste test."

Lila couldn't help but laugh. "You're always in time for food," she teased. "But sure, try the scones. They're fresh."

Clara and James eagerly made their way to the counter, grabbing a plate and immediately digging in.

"These are amazing," Clara said between bites, her eyes lighting up. "I've been to a lot of places in the city, but there's nothing quite like these."

Lila's heart swelled a little at the compliment. "Thank you," she said, trying to push down the pride that bubbled up. "I'm just... figuring it out."

Theo had stepped back, his hands in his pockets as he watched the exchange with mild amusement. "I told her she's getting better," he said, nodding toward Lila. "I think she's finally found her groove."

Lila's cheeks flushed at the praise, and she looked down at the counter, fiddling with the flour-dusted rolling pin. "It's a work in progress."

James grinned. "I think it's pretty close to perfect," he said, finishing his last bite of scone.

Lila smiled, feeling the warmth of the moment, the easy camaraderie filling the room. For the first time, the idea of the tea room being full again didn't seem as daunting. Maybe it was because of the people—her customers, the people who'd been here before and the new faces that were starting to fill the space.

But as she turned to grab a new batch of scones from the oven, her gaze flickered back to Theo. He was standing a little apart from the others, his expression thoughtful, almost distant.

The thought crossed her mind again, like a whisper in the back of her mind: Why was he still here?

She didn't have an answer. She didn't even know if she wanted one.

"So, are we getting the place ready for the grand reopening?" Clara asked, breaking her from her thoughts.

Lila shook herself from her reverie. "Yeah, I think so. I've got a few more things to do—final touches on the décor, some last-minute organizing. But it's almost there."

"I can help with some of that," Clara offered, smiling warmly. "James and I are both free for the rest of the afternoon."

Lila's face softened, grateful for the gesture. "Thank you. That would actually be a huge help."

As they all began to work together—moving vases, adjusting the furniture, cleaning the windows—Lila couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting. Maybe it was the renewed energy in the room, the way everything seemed to be coming together, or maybe it was the quiet connection she was starting to feel with Theo.

But as the sunlight streamed through the windows, casting long shadows on the floor, Lila realized one thing for certain: the tea room was starting to feel like home again.

And maybe—just maybe—Theo was starting to feel like a part of it, too.