Gwen nods. “It’s totally doable.”
“Marisol and I talked recently about how I need to have more of a life outside the café. I think I can figure out a balance between making Cravings a priority while also doing long distance with Jasper. We can take turns visiting each other and maybe meet halfway occasionally.”
“Sounds like you’ve made a good start figuring it out.” Gwen’s smile is so genuinely pleased, it makes my heart squeeze with affection. She reaches across the table and lays her hand on my arm. “I’m thrilled for you. I love you and Jasper so much, and you both deserve to be happy. The thought of you being happy together?” She makes a little hum of pleasure and squeezes my arm again. “You two will figure it out. Love always finds a way.”
Love. Is this love? The thought fills my chest and stomach with effervescent bubbles. Yeah, this could very well be love.
*****
Jasper and Evan haven’t returned by the time Gwen and I finish our tea, so we go upstairs to pack. It only takes me a few minutes—unlike Gwen, who packs half her belongings no matter where she’s going, I only have exactly what I needed for the two-day trip—and then I go help Gwen.
We’ve just brought everything downstairs and are contemplating another cup of flavored tea when Evan’s car pulls into the driveway.
“Finally,” Gwen says. “I’ll take Evan’s and my stuff to the car and send Jasper in so you can have a minute alone.” She stuffs her feet into her boots and grabs her jacket before disappearing out the door with the suitcases.
I take my time putting my own jacket and shoes on. Butterflies are staging a riot in my stomach by the time Jasper comes in the door.
“Good morning,” he says, offering me a tentative smile. He takes a few steps toward me and then stops. I close the distance and we have the world’s most awkward moment of flailing arms and bobbing heads as we try to decide whether to hug or kiss. Finally, Jasper grips my hands, pinning them in place at my sides, before leaning in to gently press his lips to mine. “Good morning,” he says again, his voice a low rumble that makes me want to haul him upstairs for a repeat of last night.
“Good morning.Bettermorning now that you’re here.”
An absentminded smile flits across his face as he releases my hands and peers around the room, his gaze landing on my suitcase. “Do you want to take your bag out while I do a final sweep of the house to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything?”
It takes my brain a minute to catch up with the question. It’s not like I expected declarations of love or an in-depth discussion right now—we do have an entire two-plus-hour drive for that—but he seems in a hurry to get out of here. He doesn’t wait for me to answer before he strides further into the house.
I scoop up both of our bags and head for Jasper’s car. I’ve just closed the trunk when Gwen appears, startling me. “Jasper’s still inside. Why don’t you and I go ahead so we can wander downtown for a few minutes? Evan can wait for Jasper and they can meet us at the café.”
I only hesitate for a second before agreeing. It’s not like Jasper and I would have much time to talk on the short drive downtown anyway.
“Farewell, house,” Gwen says with a sigh as we back out of the driveway. “Thanks for the memories.”
I laugh, but say my own silent thanks to the house for finally bringing Jasper and me together.
When we reach downtown, Gwen finds a parking spot on the street. We wander arm in arm, like we did last night, stopping occasionally to peer into shop windows and take selfies in front of the elaborate autumn decor.
“Did Jasper tell you the family has decided to spread out Christmas celebrations instead of doing their usual week-long gathering?” Gwen asks. At my nod, she says, “I’m going to push for us to come to Honeywell for a weekend, maybe in early December to hopefully beat the bad weather. We can see who else wants to come, although I kind of hope it’s just the four of us.”
“I’d love that. This trip has been so much fun, but it’s been a whirlwind. It’d be nice to check things out properly. Maybe we could plan it around one of the town’s many holiday festivals Liam mentioned last night.”
“Hey, Gwen, look at this.” We turn at the sound of Evan’s voice. He’s standing in front of a store window a few feet back. Down the street, I spy Jasper’s car parked next to Evan’s, but the man himself is nowhere in sight. I release Gwen and she joins Evan while I continue on ahead, taking out my phone to snap a few more pictures.
I sense someone approaching me as I line up a shot of the pile of pumpkins in front of Sweet Escapes. I smile to myself, hoping it’s Jasper, but it’s Liam’s voice that says, “Have you enjoyed your time in Honeywell?”
Despite my disappointment over it not being the elder Perry brother, the smile remains on my face as I turn to face Liam. “I have. I’m completely charmed by this place.”
I shift closer to him as a couple walk past us on the sidewalk, weighed down with bags from what looks like a toy store. Liam greets them and speaks to them for a minute before returning his attention to me.
“Can I ask you a really weird favor?” I ask.
One of his eyebrows quirks up, along with one side of his mouth. “Sure.”
“I don’t know if anyone has ever told you this, but you look an awful lot like Oscar Isaac…”
“I’ve heard that a time or two, yeah,” he says with a slight smirk. “My sister convinced me to dress like Poe Dameron last Halloween.”
I just barely stop myself from asking him to send me a picture since what I’m about to ask him is strange enough. “Can we take a selfie together? My friend Marisol isobsessedwith Oscar. I want to see if I can trick her, and how much she’ll freak out at the thought I met him and she didn’t. You know, like the good friend I am.”
He’s chuckling before I even finish speaking. “Let’s do it.” He comes to stand beside me, slinging his arm around my shoulders and ducking so our faces are side by side. I snap a couple of pictures and then he suggests kissing my cheek for one of the shots, which I agree to. I’m sure my blush and grin will go a long way in convincing Marisol that Liam really is her celeb crush.
