Jake snorted. “Lydia, don’t you remember the last time you snowboarded?”
Eyes wide, I jerked my head toward him. “That was a long time ago.”
“What happened?” Max questioned.
I shook my head at Jake and all he did was smile wider. “Lydia, here, took a tumble in the first five minutes and broke her tailbone. I had to carry her down the mountain.”
“Hey, it was a long time ago. I might be better now,” I said to Max.
“That sounds like an eventful memory.”
Jake’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. “We have a ton of those. I’ll have to fill you in on some one day.”
I definitely wasn’t going to let that happen. I could only imagine the embarrassing types of things he would tell Max.
Downtown Blowing Rock was only a few minutes from my cabin, so getting there didn’t take long. People were everywhere and parking was nonexistent on the main road. Luckily, we had a private lot behind the gallery. Once parked, the three of us walked across the street to the park where all the vendor booths were set up. Just seeing it all took my breath away, especially at night with all the twinkling lights.
Jake stepped in front of us and held out his hand to Max. “Thanks for the ride, man. It was nice meeting you.” After they shook hands, he turned to me. “I think Hailey and Oliver are over there somewhere. I’m going to go find them and catch up with some old friends.”
I nodded. “Have fun. If you see your sister, tell her to find me. I want to introduce her to Max.”
He smiled. “Got it.”
I watched him disappear through the crowd and all I could hear were squeals. He was a celebrity in town, and everyone loved him.
“Can you imagine having that kind of fame?” Max wondered, nodding in the direction Jake went.
“No,” I laughed. “Jake handles it well, though. He hasn’t let it get to his head . . . yet.”
“That’s good. Not all celebrities stay that way.” He took my hand and entwined his fingers around mine; it made me smile. “So, where do we want to go first? I’m trusting you to lead me in the right way. The food smells amazing.”
Food trucks were stationed around the edge of the park. I already knew which one I wanted to get dinner from. I squeezed his hand and pulled him toward The Refined Roadster.
“If you don’t love this food there’s something wrong with you,” I quipped.
We got in line and I watched him silently read the menu. I already knew what I was going to get.
His eyes lit up the more he read. “Wow. I want everything. What do you think I should try?”
This was the perfect time to test him, to see if we were compatible. I let his hand go and stepped in front of him. “Do you trust me?” His gaze narrowed playfully and he was about to speak, but I held up a hand. “Hold that thought. Let’s see if you say yes after I order our food. Stay here.”
He stood back while I went up to the window of the large red-and-yellow truck where Macy Henderson beckoned me over with a wave. Her husband, Jeremiah, was the creator of The Refined Roadster and they’d won dozens of medals for being one of the best food trucks in the business. He was busy cooking in the back, but he said a quick hello to me and returned to the food.
“Hey, girl. Want your usual?” Macy asked.
“Of course!” I answered, “But I need the order doubled.” I hooked a finger behind me and her gaze landed on Max. “I’m testing my date to see if he likes what I do.”
Macy shook her head and giggled. “I see. Well, he better, right?”
I winked at her. “Exactly.”
“All right, give us a few minutes. When Jeremiah saw you walking up, he put your lobster mac and cheese balls in the fryer.”
My stomach growled. “Thank you. I can’t wait.”
Macy had graduated high school with Jake and still looked the same with her long midnight-colored hair and green eyes, but that was the only similarity from high school. Now, sherode motorcycles and had tattoos all over her arms, just like Jeremiah. He’d brought her out of her shell and I loved it.
It didn’t take long for Jeremiah to finish our order. Macy loaded it all onto a tray, and before I could pay her, Max pushed my hand away and gave her the money.
