Mom and Dad both hug me goodbye and tell me they can’t wait for me to get back into town.
They’re not the only ones.
Back in New York City, I wonder how I ever thought all this noise—cars honking, sirens wailing, people hollering—felt like home.
And I also wonder if I’m a walking cliche.
Small-town girl moves to the big city. Returns home for one reason or another and finds true love. Ends up moving back to the town where she grew up.
If I am, though, so what?
Because by the time I take the elevator up to the 5th floor, I’m already homesick.
The production office is chaotic—camera cases everywhere, editors arguing over lighting filters. My boss, Kendra, greets me with a half-hug and a latte. “Our golden girl returns! The footage from Mistletoe Bay is stunning.”
“Thanks,” I say, forcing a smile.
She flips through her tablet. “The network loves the nostalgia angle. They want to expand it—make Mistletoe Bay our signature series. ThinkLove Actuallymeetssmall-town charm. Rumor has it they’re going to want to see the summer nostalgia angle as well. Life on the water, small town coastal community, you get the picture. And who better to make that happen? ”
Stay.
In Mistletoe Bay.
My shoulders relax, and I feel like I can finally take a deep breath. “You’re serious?”
“Of course. You have an eye for your hometown, Tessa. And for the record, that police officer? Perfect on camera. You two have chemistry.”
I nearly choke on my latte. “He’s not part of the story.”
Kendra smirks. “Oh, he’s definitely part ofyourstory, sweetheart. Viewers eat that stuff up.”
I shake my head. Nathan wouldneveragree to be in the spotlight. I’m lucky he agreed to the tiny glimpses that made it to the first cut. “He’s the Chief of Police, and soooo not interested in being in the limelight.”
“Hm. That’s unfortunate. Maybe you can convince him.” Kendra wiggles her brows.
Not a chance, but I don’t tell her that.
I leave the meeting with my heart pounding. Not from embarrassment, but clarity. I don’t want to come back here to prove myself.
I want to go home.
Where my heart is.
The next three days are a whirlwind of production meetings, editing, and planning for the rest of my time in Mistletoe Bay.
Friday afternoon, I walk into Kendra’s office full of determination and a plan.
“Tessa! Ready to head back to Mistletoe Bay?” she asks.
“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Oh. That sounds ominous.” Kendra takes her glasses off and sets them down on her desk. “I’m all ears.”
“First, I just want to say that I’m very thankful for the opportunity to see this project through. And I love the idea of this documentary turning into a fictional mini-series…”
“I’m sensing a but…”
“But,” I laugh nervously. “I’ve made the decision to stay in Mistletoe Bay after the holidays.”
