He ran a hand over his beet-red face. “Yeah, that happened. It was hard turning down the free beer.”
After he’d finished college and become a local celebrity, the breweries giving out beer samples at the Winter Bash kept handing them to him. They were all excited to have him around and endorsing their drinks.
“Do you want to go together on Saturday?”
I bit my lip sheepishly. “I can’t. I’m meeting someone there.”
Jake’s eyes widened. “Is this someone other than Max?”
He made it sound so scandalous. I’d never gone out with two different men within a weekend, but it did appear that way. Then again, I was supposed to choose either Max or Ben.
“Yes,” I confessed and held up a hand quickly, not knowing why I was even explaining myself. “But I’m meeting Ben withViolet. We’re going to talk to him about putting some of his photos in the gallery.”
Jake narrowed his gaze. “So, not a date?”
With pursed lips, I stared at him inquisitively. I had to admit, I was curious about why he was asking so many questions. He’d never shown that kind of interest before.
“Why does it matter if it is or isn’t?” I asked.
He held up his hands in defeat. “Hey, I have to make sure any guy you go out with is good enough for you.”
“I’m a pretty good judge of character, Jake. I don’t need help, unlike someone else I know.” I batted my eyelashes at him so he knew I was talking about him.
“Yeah, yeah,” he chuckled, waving me off and getting to his feet. “But I took your advice and ended things with Daphne last Christmas. I think I did well this year, making the right choices.”
I stood and smiled at him. “I couldn’t agree more. It’s good to have you home.”
The reflection of my Christmas lights twinkled in his green eyes. “I’m glad to hear you say that.” His eyes never wavered from mine, making my heart pound like never before.
“I’m going to head to bed,” I said, grabbing my snowflake blanket off the couch and wrapping it around my shoulders. “I’ll call Violet in the morning to see if she’s working. If she is, I’ll stay home and after we look at the houses, I’ll go to the gallery.”
Jake nodded once. “Sounds like a plan. Thanks again for everything.”
“You’re welcome. Good night.”
“Good night,” he said, his voice low and smooth.
Turning on my heel, I made my way down the hallway to my bedroom, and I could hear his footsteps as he went upstairs. It was strange having him back and staying at my house. So many things had changed with him, all because I traveled back in time and did things differently.
When I got to my room, I sat on my bed and removed the mistletoe, gently laying it on my dresser. It shimmered and I smiled. I was curious to see what happened next.
11
LYDIA
Iwoke up to the smell of bacon and eggs and the delectable scent of coffee. After taking a quick shower and throwing on a long hunter-green sweater and black tights, I ran a towel through my curly hair and dried it for just a few minutes. Before leaving my room, I fastened my magic mistletoe to my sweater. Every time I touched it, I felt its warmth.
I could hear Jake rummaging around in the kitchen and Hailey’s comment about him wandering around the house in his underwear came to mind. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he were. I’d seen him numerous times like that years ago when I spent the night at Hailey’s house.
When I peeked around the corner, I saw Jake in the kitchen . . . and he was clothed. He was standing with his back to me, his hair standing up all over his head and dressed in a gray T-shirt and jeans.
“Good morning,” I called out.
He glanced at me over his shoulder and waved with an egg-encrusted spatula. “Morning. You hungry?”
My stomach growled.
“I am,” I said, sitting at the kitchen bar where he had two plates with silverware already placed and glasses filled with orange juice. I set my phone down and took a sip of my drink. “You didn’t have to cook breakfast, Jake.”
