Hailey sighed. “We won’t let that happen. You and Lydia belong together. One way or another, itwillwork out.” I wanted to believe that more than anything. “Okay,” she continued, “I’m going to go, but Oliver and I will be there soon. All you need is your little sister to cheer you up. We’ll have us a housewarming party.”
“Sounds good, Hails.”
We said our goodbyes and I went back out onto the balcony. There was only one place that truly felt like home . . . and this wasn’t it.
21
LYDIA
Ignoring Hailey’s calls wasn’t what I wanted to do, but I couldn’t speak to her just yet, not when I didn’t have answers. She left a message saying that Jake had told her what happened. I had no doubt she would try to persuade me to choose him. I wanted to choose him, but I had to consider Max and the repercussions if I let him go. That was why I wanted to talk to Margaret. I needed to know the rules of the Christmas magic she used on me. But unfortunately, Margaret never appeared.
Just like Rumpelstiltskin always said in the TV showOnce Upon a Time,magic always comes with a price. If that was the case, I had to be careful.
For the rest of the night, I turned my phone on silent and watched Christmas movies. Now, it was Friday morning, and I was headed to work. I texted Violet to let her know I was coming in.
When I arrived at the gallery, I half expected Hailey to be waiting inside, but she knew me well. If I was ignoring her, she knew to give me my space. However, there was someone in the store I didn’t expect to see, especially so early in the morning.
Ben and Violet stood by the desk, laughing and smiling as if they didn’t have any cares in the world. It was such a joy seeing them together. I touched the mistletoe on my sweater, and it tingled against my fingers as if it were trying to tell me something. The answer was clear and right in front of my face. Margaret said the mistletoe would help guide me down the right path. What if it helped see other people’s right paths? Ben wasn’t mine, but maybe he was Violet’s. If he was her happily ever after …
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. This wasn’t the first time the mistletoe reacted. It did the same thing when I watched my grandmother and John together. It was clear they were meant to find each other.
My heart hurt just thinking about how I could have potentially messed things up for the two people I cared most about. If I hadn’t met Margaret or revisited the previous two years in my dreams, they would have never found their happiness. I wouldn’t have met Max and my grandmother wouldn’t have met John. Likewise, Ben and Violet would have never met. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
“Lydia, you okay?” Violet asked, hurrying over to me.
My eyes burned, but I held back the tears. “I’m fine. There’s just a lot on my mind.”
Violet grabbed my wrist and pulled me over to Ben. “We have some amazing news to tell you.”
Excitement bubbled in my chest. “Tell me.”
Violet let me go and wrapped an arm around Ben’s waist. “All of Ben’s prints sold this week while you were out sick. We didn’t want to tell you over the phone.”
“Oh my God,” I squealed, hugging her tight. “We need to add more.”
She laughed. “I know. That’s what Ben and I are going to do today.”
I moved to Ben and hugged him. “Congratulations, Ben. I’m not kidding when I say you’re the best photographer I’ve ever met.”
“Thanks, Lydia. That means a lot. But”he let me go and I stepped back to see his wide smile“that’s not all I have to tell you.” My heart stopped as I waited for his following words. He glanced over at Violet, and she waved impatiently for him to continue. Ben focused on me again. “A magazine contacted me about taking photos of golf courses nationwide. Jake had given them my name and they offered me a substantial contract. I’m talking huge, Lydia. This is what I’ve been dreaming about.”
The tears I tried holding back earlier flowed down my cheeks. I hugged both him and Violet again. “I’m so happy right now. I don’t think anything could make this day better.”
Ben chuckled. “I’m sure I can think of something.” He started for the door and glanced back at me and Violet. “How about some crème brulee coffee from Sarah’s Café?”
“Yes,” I called out. “That could definitely make this day better.”
Violet raised her hand. “I second that. Thanks, babe.”
Ben left and I couldn’t begin to describe my happiness level. Violet bit her lip and stared at me; it was apparent something was on her mind.
“What is it?” I asked her.
She blew out a nervous breath and smiled. “Ben’s going to be traveling for quite some time, going to all these fantastic golf courses. He’s asked if I’d like to go to some with him. ” She held up her hands. “That is, if it’s okay. I’ll still be here helping with the gallery. I promise I wouldn’t be gone all the time; it’d just be a day or two here and there.”
I grabbed her hands. “I don’t mind at all. Don’t worry about me and the gallery.”
She flung her arms around my neck. “Thank you, sis. For the first time in my life, things feel right. I owe it all to you.”
