“That word—it doesn’t feel like the proper description for what we are.”
Her lips part and she abruptly closes them. She cocks her head to the side, arching a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “No, it doesn’t, does it?” Her gaze locks onto mine, her head slowly lifting back to a neutral position as she blinks.
“Hey Willow, can you come up front?” Her mother calls from the counter, severing the moment. “I need your help with something.”
She straightens her spine, her hand lifting as she places it on my bicep. “Can you come by after the festival is over?” She asks, her eyes searching mine. “We can talk then?”
Lifting my own hand, I cover hers with mine, her skin warm against my palm. A soft ripple of electricity trails along the nerves in my arms, sending the shock directly to my heart. “Yes, of course. I’ll be here.”
“Okay,” she says, a tender smile curving on her lips. “I’ll see you then.”
My hand lingers for a moment, her eyes still on mine when Finn calls her name again. Releasing her, I let my arm fall back to my side and she lets go of my arm. Her gaze stays on mine for another heartbeat before she turns around and heads back to the counter.
As I walk back to the front door, I pause with my hand on the cool metal, looking back over my shoulder to Willow.
She’s standing behind the counter, checking someone out, looking at complete ease in her new role as shop owner. This is where she belongs—back in Sugar Hill Hollow, running the maple store.
Her attention shifts, her eyes meeting mine from across the room and I don’t miss the way they shimmer as she stares back at me. The corners of her lips twitch as she bites back a smile, holding my stare once more before she looks back at the register.
Leaving her in her element, I head out of the shop and step back onto the busy sidewalk with the promise of returning later.
Because the Hollow isn’t the only place where she belongs…
She belongs with me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
WILLOW
My mother stops in front of me, a smile dancing across her lips as she slides her arms through the holes in her coat and my father pulls it up over her shoulders. “We’re so incredibly proud of you, Willow.”
“You’ve really outdone yourself with the shop,” my father says, standing next to my mother with a proud look shining in his blue eyes.
I glance across the room to where Noah and Finn are standing. Their matching gazes shine back at me.
My brothers and I have our father’s eyes and our mother’s hair.
“I’m so glad you were both able to come for the festival today.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” my mother says, stepping closer as she pulls me in for a hug. “I’m sorry we can’t stay longer to have dinner or anything, but we will get together one day next week.”
“I’ll come see you guys,” I say, releasing her before stepping in to hug my father. He squeezes tightly before letting me go. The two of them take a step away, both of their eyes searchingmy face. My heart pounds inside my chest. I haven’t been honest with them. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Of course, honey,” my mother says softly. Concern flashes in her eyes before she can stop it. "Is everything okay?”
Swallowing roughly, I nod. “Everything is fine. I just—I haven’t been honest about veterinary school.” I look past them at Noah near the back of the shop. He gives me a small smile and dips his chin, silent courage for me to continue. “I didn’t get in for the spring semester and I’ve decided I don’t want to go at all.”
My father’s eyebrows tug downward. “You aren’t planning on reapplying?”
“Christopher,” my mother scolds him under her breath, shooting him a glare before her face softens and she looks back at me. “Did something happen to change your mind?”
Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I slowly shake my head. “I just realized it wasn’t for me. After coming home and being here, I realized becoming a veterinarian isn’t what I really want to do with the rest of my life.” I pause, waving my hand around, a sense of pride washing over me. “This is what I needed to fill my cup and I know this is where I want to be. Managing Grammy’s shop is what Iwantto do.”
A tender smile pulls on my mother’s lips and she laces her arm through my father’s, giving him a small squeeze. “We support whatever you want to do, Willow.”
My father’s eyes are on mine and he nods, his mouth turning up into a smile to match my mother’s. “Yes. If veterinary school isn’t for you, then don’t follow a dream that is no longer yours.”
“You—” I pause, swallowing over the emotion lodged in my throat. “You don’t think I’m a failure because of it?”
