I couldn’t agree more.
Hailey waved for me to continue. “Tell me what happened with Max.”
I ate another chip. “He asked me out and I convinced him to go with me to the Cocoa and Cookie Craze Festival.”
She squealed again. “That’s great, Lydia. Now what about Ben?”
“Ben showed up at the gallery this morning,” I explained. “He’s going to meet Violet and me at the Winter Bash on Saturday to discuss which of his prints we want to showcase. He’s very talented.”
Hailey shook her head and laughed. “You go from no guys at all to two in a single day. Which one do you like more?”
“I’m not sure,” I admitted honestly. “I plan to figure that out.”
I already knew I was supposed to choose one of them, but I had no clue which one it would be.
Hailey turned on the movie and after three plates of food, one being nothing but desserts, I was stuffed. We were halfway intoNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationwhen the doorbell rang. Hailey peered over at me and I lifted my brows.
“Is Oliver expecting someone?” I asked.
She shook her head and glanced over at her phone. “Not tonight. And I don’t have any texts from anyone saying they’re stopping by. I have no clue who’s here.” Hailey picked up the remote and paused the movie. “Give me one sec.”
I watched her go to the door and open it, not expecting to see the person waiting outside. My whole body thrummed with happiness the second I saw Jake’s smiling face. He wasn’t dressed in designer jeans, and his dark hair wasn’t perfectly coifed; it was hidden under his old Appalachian State University baseball cap. He reminded me of the Jake I grew up with, who always wore T-shirts and flannel with his worn-out boots. I was glad to see his fame still hadn’t changed him.
“Jake!” Hailey shouted with excitement. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “What are you doing here?”
He let her go and his gaze shifted back and forth from me to her. “I decided to come home.”
Hailey grabbed his arms. “What do you mean? For good?”
His smile broadened and he nodded. “Yep. For good. Blowing Rock is my home, and it always has been. I can’t imagine settling down anywhere else.”
Hearing him say that awakened feelings inside me I didn’t know existed. I jumped up from the couch and hurried over to hug him. Elated couldn’t even begin to describe how I felt. “Jake, that’s fantastic.”
His arms wrapped tightly around my waist, and it caught me off guard; it was as if he didn’t want to let me go.
“Are you going to buy a house?” Hailey asked.
Jake released me slowly and nodded at her. “Janet over at Ridgeview Realty sent me some homes to look at. I was thinking of driving by them tomorrow.” His attention shifted back to me. “Do you want to go with me? I could really use your opinion.”
Hailey elbowed me in the side. “Oh yes, that’d be perfect. You’re good at picking out houses.” She waved her hand around the room. “You helped me decide on this one.”
Jake lifted his brows at me. “Can I count on you? It’ll be fun. We can catch up on everything.”
I had missed him, and I had no doubt we’d have a great day. Spending time with him had always been an adventure. Sometimes, it was easier talking to him than anyone else.
“If Violet comes into work, I’d be happy to,” I said. “She’s been sick the past few days, so I’ve been running the gallery alone.”
Jake nodded. “Okay. I can always help you man the store if you need me to.”
Hailey and I looked at each other and burst out laughing. “That could either be the best thing ever,” Hailey claimed.
“Or the worst,” I added.
Jake crossed his arms over his chest. “What do you mean?”
I patted his shoulder. “You’re a celebrity now, Jake. You’ll draw many people to the gallery, but they’ll most likely crowd the place instead of buying things.”
Hailey patted his other shoulder. “Which means you’ll be in the way. Sorry, big brother. We can’t use your help.”
