7
Eli stood across the road from Starlight Chocolate Confections. He adjusted his leather jacket and tried to feel as Benjamin would when he first saw the shop. Depressed, and hopeful that it would offer some reprieve in the form of alcohol-infused chocolate.
At ten o’clock in the morning, it wasn’t early, but the sign in the front window had just flipped to OPEN. Despite the sign and the unlocked door, when he entered the shop, it appeared empty. Eli looked for one of those small bells that people could tap if they needed something. Not seeing one, he called, “Hello?” The British accent came out naturally, without a second thought.
Silence.
Eli had time. He could wait. Things had been so busy with preparations that he hadn’t had the opportunity to revisit the store since Adeline had s
