CHAPTER ELEVEN - Cracks in the Façade

As they ate, Ella found herself sharing stories about growing up in Willow Creek – summers spent swimming in the lake, her first job at the local ice cream shop, the time she and her friends snuck into the old drive-in movie theater. Lucas listened intently, asking questions and laughing at all the right moments. In turn, he opened up about his own childhood – the pressure of growing up in a wealthy family, his rebellious phase in college, the moment he decided to strike out on his own in the business world. "I think that's why Willow Creek appealed to me so much," he admitted, pushing his empty plate away with a contented sigh. "It's so different from everything I've known. There's a... realness to it." Ella nodded, understanding. "It's not always exciting, but it's home." As the evening wore on, Ella found herself reluctant for it to end. There was a warmth between them, a connection that felt both familiar and thrillingly new. When they finally left Mama Rosa's, the night air w