When I pulled into the driveway, Jake’s car was parked outside. I took a deep breath, then let it out slowly before grabbing my purse. I was nervous to see him. What if he did havefeelings for me? What would that mean? The two paths I had to choose from led to either Max or Ben. Jake wasn’t an option.
I parked in the garage and walked through the door into the kitchen. Jake was in the shower by the sound of the running water and the scent of his soap lingering in the air. There was a folder from Ridgeview Realty on the kitchen counter just like the one Janet had given him previously. I peeked inside, and there were listings for new homes, but still, none of them were the types of places Jake wanted.
The shower water turned off upstairs, so I knew Jake would be coming down soon. I hurried down the hall to my bedroom and glanced in the mirror to ensure I looked okay. My heart started to race, and I placed a hand over my chest. Was I nervous about going out with Max? Or was there another reason that I didn’t want to admit to myself?
I peered over at the clock on my nightstand and saw I had only ten minutes before Max was supposed to arrive. However, I soon found that that wasn’t the case, as I could hear a car rumbling down the driveway. Gasping, I ran over to the window and there was Max in an old blue truck.
I quickly looked at myself one last time in the mirror before hurrying down the hallway. Max got out of his truck, and I watched him through the window as he made his way onto the porch, holding what appeared to be a loaf pan. He was very handsome, wearing a light blue T-shirt, jeans, and a brown jacket. I didn’t want to be waiting by the door, so I let him knock.
With my hand on the doorknob, I slowly released my breath and opened it. The second I saw Max’s sweet smile and kind gray eyes, I realized how lucky I was. It wasn’t every day you were given a chance by a Christmas angel to find your one perfect match. Standing in front of me was one of the choices.
“Hey,” I greeted, opening the door wide. “Come on in.”
Max’s grin widened and he held out the pan. “This is for you.” I could smell the delicious hint of cinnamon and pumpkin. “I visited my grandfather this morning,” Max continued, “and when I couldn’t find him, I was told he was with your grandmother. It turns out they were in her kitchen cooking loaves of pumpkin bread. She wanted me to bring this to you.”
My stomach grumbled with hunger, and Max chuckled. “Mine did that earlier when I smelled all the loaves baking.”
I waved for him to come all the way in so I could shut the door. “As much as I want to tear into this pumpkin bread, there’s going to be some amazing food vendors at the festival. Not to mention, we’ll be eating tons of cookies.”
Max beamed. “Sounds like fun. Thank you for asking me to go with you.”
“Of course.” I walked over to the kitchen table and set the pumpkin bread on it. “I’m ready to go if you are.”
Max pointed out the window at Jake’s car. “Is that yours?” he asked.
I grabbed my purse off the counter and my gray winter coat off the rack. “No,” I replied, wondering how I was going to explain that I had another man staying with me. “I have a family friend in town who needed a place to stay for a few days. But believe me, I wish that was my car.”
He agreed with a nod and chuckled. “So do I.”
I slipped on my coat and opened the door, letting Max walk out first . . . only he didn’t. His focus landed on something behind me, and I soon realized it was Jake when I heard his voice.
“Oh, hey, I didn’t know we had company.”
That was such a lie. He had to have heard us talking when he was upstairs. When I turned around, my mouth dropped at the sight before me. Jake was standing there with only a white towelwrapped around his waist. His hair was wet from the shower, and he had the biggest smirk on his face.
“Oh my God,” I snapped. “Seriously? What are you doing?”
Jake held up his arms. “I’m sorry.”
With a heavy sigh, I turned to Max and his narrowed gaze was on Jake.
“Aren’t you Jake Reynolds?” he asked him.
Jake cocked his head to the side. “I am.”
Max smiled at him. “You’re an amazing golfer. My grandfather and I have watched you win plenty of times.” He turned to me, his expression full of surprise. “I had no clue you had famous friends.”
I waved a hand toward Jake. “He’s my best friend’s brother. We grew up together. I’ve been trying to help him find a house. Until then, he’s staying here.”
Jake walked over, still clad in only his towel, and extended a hand to Max. “Lydia’s saving me from staying with my parents. I owe her so much right now.”
I leaned in close to his ear, but I knew Max could hear me, too. “You can do that by putting on some clothes.”
Max shook Jake’s hand. “I’m Max Harper, by the way.”
Jake grinned. “It’s nice to meet you. I should probably go get dressed.”
“Yes, you should,” I reiterated.
