Chapter 2 — The Surprise Visit

Third Person

The bell above the door of The Velvet Thread chimed softly, signaling a new arrival. Gemma Cahill glanced up from the arrangement of silk scarves she was carefully folding on the counter, her hands momentarily pausing mid-motion. The golden autumn sunlight streamed through the large front windows of her boutique, casting a warm glow on the sage-green walls and polished wooden floors. The scent of lavender sachets mingled with the faint tang of autumn leaves drifting in from the open door.

She expected a regular—a neighbor stopping by for a chat or a loyal customer seeking the perfect addition to their wardrobe. What she didn’t expect was the towering figure of JJ Watt filling the doorframe, his sandy blonde hair catching the light like a halo. His easy smile and bright blue eyes immediately struck a stark contrast to the boutique’s quiet charm. Dressed in a fitted gray Henley and dark jeans, he radiated confidence, yet there was an unassuming warmth about him that softened his larger-than-life presence.

For a split second, Gemma’s mind faltered, still replaying moments from the Play60 event the day before. She had felt his sincerity then in the way he’d knelt to Noah’s level, and now, standing in her boutique, he carried the same unhurried aura. She tightened her grip on the edge of the scarf she was folding. What on earth was he doing here?

JJ’s gaze swept the room, lingering on the mannequins dressed in her lovingly curated designs before landing on her. His smile widened as he stepped fully inside, letting the door swing shut behind him.

“Hey there,” he said, his tone casual, disarming. “Hope I’m not interrupting.”

Gemma straightened, quickly smoothing the front of her blouse. “Not at all,” she replied, her voice measured despite the flutter of nerves in her chest. “Welcome to The Velvet Thread. Can I help you find something?”

“Well,” JJ began, his stride unhurried as he crossed the room, “I was in the area and thought I’d check out your shop. Noah couldn’t stop talking about it yesterday—said his mom makes the best clothes in town.”

A faint blush crept up Gemma’s neck, coloring her cheeks. She busied herself with the scarves as though they needed further perfecting. “He’s easily impressed,” she said lightly, though her lips curved into a small smile. “But I appreciate the compliment.”

JJ leaned casually against the counter, his tall frame somehow not overwhelming the space. He gestured toward the racks of clothing and cozy displays scattered throughout the boutique. “I have to say, he wasn’t exaggerating. This place is amazing. It’s got such a personal feel to it—you can tell there’s a lot of heart in everything here.”

“Thank you,” Gemma said, her voice softening. “The boutique’s been my second home for years now. It’s a lot of work, but I love it.”

Her fingers brushed against a length of fabric as she spoke, grounding herself. For someone who likely belonged in glossy magazines and glittering stadiums, he seemed remarkably at ease in her small-town boutique. A flicker of doubt passed through her mind—what was his purpose here? Yet, as he looked around, there was no sign of pretense in his expression.

JJ’s gaze shifted to a small display case near the counter, where a delicate Claddagh necklace rested on a bed of soft velvet. He tilted his head slightly as he studied it. “That’s beautiful,” he said, nodding toward the piece. “Irish, right?”

Gemma’s hand instinctively went to the Claddagh pendant she wore around her neck, her fingers brushing its familiar shape. “Yes,” she said after a pause, her tone soft. “It’s called a Claddagh. The design represents love, loyalty, and friendship.”

JJ straightened slightly, his expression thoughtful. “That’s a lot of meaning packed into one little piece of jewelry.”

“It is,” she agreed, her voice quieter now. “This one was a gift from my mother when I… when I started over.” Her thumb traced the engraved crown on her pendant, the gesture small but telling. The words slipped out before she could stop them, leaving her uncomfortably exposed. Her free hand tightened on the edge of the counter as she turned her gaze back to the scarves.

JJ didn’t press her. Instead, he nodded, his voice low and unintrusive. “It seems fitting. Those are important things to hold onto.” His words had a weight to them, as though he spoke from experience. For a brief moment, his gaze seemed distant, as if the necklace had stirred a quiet longing for something in his own life.

The silence between them was almost palpable, filled with unspoken understanding. Gemma glanced up, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. For a moment, the space between them felt heavier, yet strangely comfortable, like they’d both stumbled into shared vulnerability.

She quickly shifted her focus back to the conversation. “Can I help you find something specific?” she asked, steering them onto safer ground.

JJ’s trademark smile returned, breaking the tension. “Actually, yeah. I was hoping to pick up something for my mom. She’s always saying I never bring her thoughtful gifts. Got anything that says, ‘I’m the world’s best son’?”

Relieved by the lighter tone, Gemma gestured toward a rack of soft knit scarves in a palette of muted autumn tones. “These are popular this time of year. They’re handmade locally, and they’re perfect for layering.”

JJ ran his fingers over a deep burgundy scarf, his touch gentle as he admired the craftsmanship. “This is nice,” he said. “You think she’ll like it?”

“I think she’ll love it,” Gemma replied, her professional tone slipping into something warmer. “It’s classic, but the color gives it a little extra personality.”

“Sold,” JJ said, flashing a grin as he handed her the scarf. “You’re making me look good.”

As Gemma rang up the purchase, JJ wandered a few steps away, his gaze flitting between the boutique’s details. His fingers brushed the corner of a display table, his touch reverent, as though he appreciated not just the items but the care behind them. “You’ve got something special here,” he said over his shoulder. “It’s refreshing, you know? A place like this—feels real, personal. It’s not something I get to see often.”

Gemma hesitated, her hand stilling over the register. There was something almost wistful in his words, a subtle glimpse of how far removed his world must be from the simplicity of hers. “Thank you,” she said softly, handing him the kraft paper bag containing the scarf. Her fingers brushed his for the briefest moment.

JJ paused as he took the bag, his expression softening. “Thanks for yesterday, too,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Letting Noah come talk to me—I know that probably wasn’t easy for you, but it meant a lot. To both of us.”

Gemma hesitated, his words cutting through her careful defenses. “It wasn’t easy,” she admitted, though her tone was measured. “But Noah’s happiness comes first.”

JJ nodded, his gaze steady, his respect for her unmistakable. “And it shows. He’s lucky to have you.”

Something in his tone made her chest tighten. She didn’t know how to respond, so she simply nodded, her fingers drifting to her pendant once more.

“I mean it—if there’s ever anything I can do to help, just say the word,” JJ added. He gave her one last smile, warm and genuine. “See you around, Gemma.”

The bell chimed as the door swung shut behind him, leaving Gemma standing alone in the boutique. She exhaled slowly, her hand still resting on the Claddagh necklace. JJ Watt was a disruption she hadn’t anticipated—a presence that unsettled the carefully constructed life she’d worked so hard to maintain.

But as she watched him stroll down the sidewalk through the boutique’s front window, the afternoon light catching his figure, she couldn’t deny the faint flicker of warmth that lingered in her chest. It was dangerous, she knew, but a small part of her wondered if maybe—not now, but someday—she’d be brave enough to let it grow.