“I meant to ask, what did Noah have to say about everything?”
It’s a sharp reminder, like a dagger to my chest. “He wasn’t exactly happy. I need to talk to him too.”
Harrison gives me a thoughtful nod. “I think you should. You guys have been friends forever. If you want something real with his sister, you need to repair whatever was broken between the two of you as well.”
I blow out a breath, running my hand through my hair. “I have quite the list of things to fix.”
“At least you can still fix them.” A soft, sad smile lifts his lips. “You’re showing up and that’s what matters.”
“What if it doesn’t go well with either of them?”
Harrison silently stares at me for a moment. “It will,” he says, nodding his head as he pushes his chair back and rises to his feet. “You just need to have some hope, and trust yourself with your feelings.”
He’s right.
I’ve been at war with myself for years over the way I’ve felt for Willow. I’ve tried to ignore them, to pretend they don’t exist. I’ve tried to keep her at arms length and then after letting her in, I tried to push her away.
I’m done being afraid.
I know what I want and it’s her.
It’s always been her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
WILLOW
Crisp leaves fall apart under the soles of my boots as I walk down the main street sidewalk. The brisk air bites at my cheeks and blows my hair over my shoulder, a few strands whipping across my face.
It’s a fairly cool day for the Harvest Fest, but every store in town is open, which offers a bit of relief from the breeze outside. I spot Maggie and Natalie through the front window of the bakery, as they both finish getting things ready for the day, and give them a quick wave.
The festival is supposed to start in an hour and the town is already buzzing with life.
I pass by the coffee shop as Sofia drags two chairs across the sidewalk, setting a few tables and seats out front of the store. “Hey, do you need any help?”
Sofia lifts her head, a smile stretching across her face as she shakes her head. “No, I’m good, Willow. Thank you, though!” She pushes the chair to the table and stands upright, dusting her hands on the fronts of her jeans. “Are you ready for today?”
“As ready as I can be,” I admit, subtly shrugging my shoulders as a smile lifts my lips. “I’m not sure what to really expect. I’ve never been on this side of the festival.”
“It will be great,” she assures me, her eyes bright as she dips her chin. “I’ve heard quite a few people talking about how excited they are to check out your shop.” She walks closer to the door, pulling it open for a customer on the other side. “I have a really good feeling about this for you.”
“I hope so,” I say, nodding at her. I pull my gaze from hers when a voice I wasn’t expecting thanks her. My eyes widen in shock. “Dean?”
He lifts his gaze, his coffee cup halfway to his mouth. He arches a brow beneath his framed glasses. “Willow. How are you?”
“I’ll see you afterwards,” Sofia says, giving me a small smile before she ducks back into the coffee shop.
“I’m good,” I say, my eyebrows tugging closer as Dean steps in front of me. I’ve known Dean Landry for many years, as he’s my best friend Mia’s father. “What are you doing here?”
“We’re off this weekend, so I decided to come spend some time at the lake since I don’t get to the house much.” He finally takes a sip of his coffee. “I was helping at the Whitmore’s. You know them, right? The Christmas tree farm right across the river?”
Dean is the head coach for the Aston Archers and his lake house is on the east side of town. I slowly scan his face, taking in his striking features. He and his late wife had Mia when they were still in high school, so at 39, he looks damn good.
It’s never been like that, though. As much as I tease him and like to ruffle his feathers, that’s a line I would never cross with Mia’s dad. He’s just nice to look at and makes it easy to mess around with Mia.
“Oh, yes, I know them.”
Dean nods. “Jack and I go way back. He’s having surgery later this month, so I told him I’d come help him with some things this weekend.”
