I raised an eyebrow, even though she couldn’t see it. “Are you suggesting I buy a business here in Willow Harbor just to get permission from Cedric to travel here more often? All for a girl I like?”
“Yes. Isn’t it romantic?” She sighed wistfully, and I laughed.
It was a good idea. Maybe I could build a custom home on the lake, like the one my mom and I had rented every Christmas when I was little.
“Okay, put a pin in that idea, Chloe. I’m going to be late, and I don’t even know if she likes me back.”
“Jack, I’d be willing to bet Roberto’s family sauce recipe that she likes you back.”
I heard Roberto protest in the background and grinned.
“Bye!” I said.
“’Kay, don’t chicken out. I’m looking at commercial properties in Willow Harbor. Bye!” Chloe hung up before I could say anything more, and I grinned.
Maybe this could work. Maybe I could try the relationship thing. For Hannah, I would do anything.
The parking lot was packed, and people were making their way inside already. I needed to get in there. As I jogged across the parking lot of the small white church, I peered around at the thick trees surrounding us. Willow Harbor was a special place. My mom and I had stumbled onto it when I was twelve and I’d been back every year since.
There was someone at the door with a name tag that readDennis, and he greeted me.
“Hi. Do you know where I would find Hannah Phillips before she goes on stage?” I held up the flowers.
The older man grinned and nodded. Then he led me down a hallway and pointed to an open door. “She’ll be in there warming up,” he said and then went back to the main lobby to greet others.
Being in a church felt weird. I was surprised God didn’t burn me up where I stood, but I pushed the guilty thoughts down and beelined it for that door.
When I got there, I heard a man’s voice say Hannah’s name, so I slowed.
“Hannah, I…” the man said. “I want to be frank with you about something so that neither of us are guessing at anything.”
My heart stopped beating at that moment.
“Okay?” Hannah’s voice was small and timid. I knew I should leave, shouldn’t eavesdrop. I…
“I’m moving back to town. I’m opening a vet clinic, and I intend to win you back,” the guy declared, and a crushing weight fell on my heart, shattering it into a hundred pieces.
“Seventeen-year-old Luke Halston was an idiot. I wanted a five-year plan, and what I didn’t realize wasyoushould have been that plan. You’re the girl that got away, and if you let me back into your heart, I’ll never take your love for granted again.”
He’d loved her before? Jealously spiked through me so fast and hot it took my breath. But I should have known; of course other guys would be after Hannah. She was a catch.
“Hannah, I’ve grown up. I’ve matured and dated a few other women. None of them hold a candle to you. To us. I want you back, and I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your heart again,” he said, and I fisted the flowers in my grip so tightly the stems crushed in half.
I should have left. This was private and disrespectful to Hannah. But I couldn’t because of the next thing he said.
“Have coffee with me?” the guy begged her. “That’s all I’m asking.”
Okay, this was it. This moment right here would tell me if Hannah liked me back or not. If she said yes to coffee, then it was probably for the best. Especially if they had history. I didn’tdeserve a girl like her anyway, but I had hope. So I held my breath, waiting for her response.
“I’d like that.” Her voice held a happiness that made my heart go dead again.
I nodded to myself, accepting my fate. If this Luke Halston guy made her happy, then that was enough for me. Even at the expense of my own heart break. I turned away from the door and walked back out to the entryway.
As much as I wanted to hear her singing voice, I couldn’t stand to be here one second longer. After walking back outside, I ran across the parking lot and practically dove into my truck rental.
Chloe had already texted me three commercial properties I could purchase to start an Idaho branch of Jason’s and my company. I turned my phone off and laid the crushed yellow flowers on the seat.
Peering up at the darkening sky, I stared at the cross that stood atop the building.
