“I’ve seen Valentine, all of it. I’ve been here a week you know,” I poke his bicep and he feigns an injury.
“Well, let me try to sell you on it then,” his voice wavers at the end. We stop walking and I face him. He appears determined to give me a tour.
“Alright then Jake,” I squeeze his hand back, “show me Valentine.”
His eyes light up as he starts to talk about each business on Main Street. He gave me the lowdown on who runs it, what they sell, and how they came to town. All the bits that were not included in my day-to-day walks around town or at any of the singles festival events.
“How do you know all this?” I ask after we’ve made our way down the short stretch of road.
“I’m the delivery guy for the bakery. I’m always on the move. I probably know almost every person in town by now. I love listening to everyone’s stories. It’s fascinating how even though the circumstances were all different, we all ended up here in Valentine.”
“I’m sorry I left so abruptly,” I blurt. “It’s been weighing on my mind. I didn’t want you to think that I only slept with you because we agreed to have some fun. But I heard you say you were falling for me and, I guess,” I let go of his hand, “I got scared. I figured I’d have a clean break and I could forget about my feelings for you.” I fidget with the buttons on my peacoat.
“You don’t have to apologize for anything Mallory,” he tucks a flyaway strand of my hair behind my ear and cups my face. “I have one more thing to show you,” he takes my hand once more.
We walk a little bit more and reach another brick building, a small row of businesses. He stops us at the one with a For Sale sign in the front. He lets go of my hand, takes out a set of keys, and opens the door.
“Now, Dylan did his best, but neither of us design clothing, so I wasn’t quite sure about what you’d need to picture it,” I walk inbehind him and can barely make out his words, my brain racing with the onslaught of thoughts.
“Wow,” I whisper as I take in the retail space. It’s a long, open space with the large windows at front providing a decent amount of natural light. One wall is brick while the others are a grey, almost lavender color. There is a big desk set up, an easel with a table next to it, and a giant teddy bear nearby.
I point to it and Jake adds, “we couldn’t find a mannequin.” He lets me wander around the space. I’m getting dizzy from thinking about all the possibilities. Of the business I could build, the one I’ve always wanted to run and operate from the ground up.
“This is a lot Jake,” I murmur.
“I know, and there’s an apartment upstairs. It’s basic but it’s a newer renovation so everything works and you’d be allowed to paint and decorate to your heart’s content.”
“An apartment?” I parrot the words back.
“I know your career is important to you. I heard you mention a possible job in California,” he runs his fingers through his hair, “and thought if you were willing to move for the right job, then there was a small chance you’d consider Montana.”
“I didn’t take the job yet,” I say as he nods along, “and I have a life in Canada. I have friends and an apartment.”
All valid points.
Except a part of my heart will be here in Montana. With Jake and Charlotte and the thought of what could’ve been.
“I know. I just couldn’t let you leave without putting all my cards on the table,” he takes both my hands in his, “I’m falling in love with you Mallory Morin. You’re funny, kind, beautiful, and I can’t stop thinking about us together. How much I loved cooking for you, seeing you in my clothes, sleeping in my bed. I want you in my life. And if you say no, then we’ll end things as is, a clean cut. But,” my pulse quickens with each sentence.
“I don’t want to leave.”
“Mallory,” I put my hand on his chest to stop him.
“I’ve never felt this type of connection with someone before. And while I love my career and it’s all I’ve really focused on for a decade, I can’t imagine the next decade without you there. I’m all in if you are.”
He cups my face and kisses me softly, purposefully, and I melt against him.
“I love you Mallory Morin,” he murmurs before he kisses me a final time.
“I love you too,” I rest my head on his chest for a moment, “even if I didn’t get enough brownie points for my maple dessert.” His chest reverberates with laughter.
“It was going to be a grand gesture, a sweet surprise,” he groans.
“I’m kidding,” I chuckle as I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him.
“Such a tease,” he returns the embrace.
“What happens next?” My cheeks start to hurt from the large grin plastered on my face.
