CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“This looks like a film set. Like…like Stars Hollow or something out of a Hallmark movie.”
I stand in place and do a slow turn, taking in my surroundings. Jasper and I are in a small town called Honeywell Hollow. Upon arriving, we went directly to the house Jasper rented so we could get settled, and so I could shower and change out of my muddy, dog-hair-covered clothes.
Despite knowing our location, I still didn’t know what Jasper’s secret plan was until a few minutes ago when we arrived at the town park. Knowing how much his future sister-in-law loves all things autumn, Jasper has arranged a fall-themed photoshoot for Gwen and Evan with himself as the photographer. The couple didn’t want to spend money on engagement photos, and they booked a bare minimum package for the actual wedding photography. Jasper knew they weren’t satisfied with that, though.
“I offered to pay for a larger package with the photographer, but they turned me down,” he told me after he explained his plan. “They said all their friends would take pictures throughout the ceremony and reception so they’d have plenty of great shots. They deserve more than a few professional photos and a bunch of dark, blurry phone pictures, though. Then that day at the farm when you mentioned wanting to put together an album for them, this idea was born.”
A section of the park has been cordoned off and someone has decorated the gazebo and surrounding area with bales of hay, pumpkins, barrels and tins of colorful fall flowers, and strings of lights. It really does remind me of Stars Hollow, which is perfect because Gwen lovesGilmore Girls. The pièce de résistance is the old-fashioned red truck parked to one side of the gazebo. Gwen’s dad had one just like it; when the weather was nice, the two of them would drive all around town on Sunday afternoons, letting people hop in the back for rides and then stopping at the park for a picnic that anyone was welcome to join. I nearly burst into tears when I saw it.
“This is incredible,” I say now, still completely stunned by the scene before me. “Gwen is going to flip her lid when she sees all this. How did you manage it?”
Jasper glances over my shoulder, and I turn to see a man ducking under the rope that’s been erected to keep people out during the photoshoot. When he straightens, my eyes widen at the realization this guy bears a striking resemblance to Oscar Isaac. He smiles broadly at us as he approaches, going straight for Jasper and gripping his hand in a hearty handshake.
“Everything to your liking?” he asks, releasing Jasper’s hand and clapping him on the shoulder.
“It’s perfect. I can’t thank you enough.” Jasper turns to me, prompting the Oscar look-alike to do the same. “Willow, this is an old friend of mine from university, Liam Doherty. He and his friend Nathan own a repair business together and do odd jobs around town, which include very specific favors for old friends. Liam, this is Willow Stewart. She’s…a dear friend of mine, and also a friend of my brother and his fiancée.”
My brain snags on ‘a dear friend’ so it takes me a second to hold out my hand when Liam reaches to shake. After we exchange pleasantries, I ask, “You set all this up?”
“I had some enthusiastic helpers,” he says with a grin. “When people found out what I was doing, they jumped in to do what they could. Mrs. Murphy, the woman who rented you the house you’re staying in? She also owns Sweet Escapes on Main Street, and she said to tell you to be sure to come in tomorrow before you leave town so she can treat you to some hot drinks.”
“That’s lovely, we’ll be sure to do that,” Jasper says. We stand around chatting for a few more minutes, during which Jasper invites Liam to join all of us for dinner tonight. When Liam leaves, Jasper suggests a walk around the park to put in time while we wait for Gwen and Evan to arrive. As we stroll, admiring the fiery red and orange trees, he tells me about the time a few years ago when he rented a house in Honeywell for the annual Perry Christmas getaway.
“I should have known better than to choose a place so far north in December,” he says. “A big storm hit and we were snowed in for days. Everyone was so angry with me, especially when we ended up being here for New Year’s Eve too. We made the best of it, though. We weren’t able to leave town, but wewereable to explore Honeywell, and we spent a lot of time playing outdoors in the snow the way we did when we were children. It ended up being one of my favorite Christmases.”
A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have been able to picture Jasper playing in the snow. I would have imagined he’d be the observer: staying at a distance, probably even reminding his siblings to be careful and not get too rowdy. Knowing him, I’m sure therewassome of that, but I can also envision him building a snowman with his siblings, making snow angels, maybe even indulging in a snowball fight. And then when everyone was inside, making sure they were all warm and dry, gathering them around the fireplace with hot chocolate and baked goods.
Thinking about it makes my throat clog with emotion. I want to step into that scene and be part of it. I want to belong with the Perrys always, belongtothem and to Jasper. The last few weeks have shown me what it could be like. I’ve been trying hard not to think about what happens after the wedding when all these group events are over.
“It’s Gwen,” Jasper says, holding up his phone. I blink, coming out of my daze. Jasper is looking at me with his brows drawn together. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, fine, sorry. I was just…daydreaming. Gwen called?”
“Texted.” He’s still looking at me with that same concerned look. “She says they just arrived at the house and will be here shortly.”
A rush of excitement zips through me. “I can’t wait to see their reactions. I’m so happy I get to be here for this.” I bounce on my toes, clapping my hands.
Jasper’s worry evaporates and he laughs softly at my exuberance. “I’m glad you’re here too.” He takes a tiny step closer. His arms twitch at his sides and I realize he’s hesitating in initiating a hug.
I close the space between us and wrap my arms around him tightly. While he struggles to show affection, I struggle to stop myself from showing too much. It’s getting harder and harder to keep my feelings concealed. I’ve been telling myself it’s because confessing my feelings for him has the potential to make things incredibly awkward, especially this close to the wedding. If I’m beingreallyhonest, though, I’m afraid of rejection. Of him smiling kindly and saying something like despite being flattered, he only sees me as a friend.
All of Jasper’s usual stiffness has dissolved and he’s holding me close. When he shifts, I expect him to release me; instead, one hand lifts to rub lightly at my back through my thick sweater. I melt against him, pressing my face into his shoulder and closing my eyes. It’s been too long since I was held like this. Even if it doesn’t mean anything, I’m going to soak up every second of it.
“Do you want to sit in the gazebo while we wait for Evan and Gwen?” Jasper asks, his breath tickling my ear.
I stop myself from asking him to hold me a few minutes longer. “Sure.”
He releases me in what feels like slow motion. He takes a minuscule step back, his hands sliding from my back to my upper arms. My breath catches when our eyes meet. His face is close, his mouth only inches away from mine. We’re both frozen in place, staring into each other’s eyes. When Jasper’s gaze dips down to my lips, the change in him is visible immediately. His hands drop from my arms and he takes a quick step back, his cheeks flushing.
Huh. All this time I’ve assumed Jasper only sees me as a friend, butI’venever reacted like that to a friend…
Jasper takes a sudden keen interest in a nearby squirrel, so I step around him and mosey over to the gazebo. I climb the steps and sit on the top one so I can admire the photoshoot setup and also watch for Gwen and Evan. Jasper joins me a minute later, leaving a few feet of space between us.
The silence that hangs around us isn’t our usual comfortable kind. Maybe Jasperisas affected by me as I am by him, and he’s just been better at hiding it. I have a feeling we share the same fears of rejection and abandonment.
Wanting to regain the light mood from a few minutes ago, I say, “I wonder how Maynooth and his friend are doing.”
