Page 34 of Beanful Wishes

"I think that's enough for today," Jake announces, stretching his arms above his head. "Anyone up for dinner? My treat."

Elena begs off, citing a date night with her husband, leaving Jake and me to walk hand in hand to a nearby Thai restaurant we've been meaning to try.

Over steaming plates of pad thai and green curry, we discuss the day's progress and our remaining to-do list for the festival. But as the meal goes on, our conversation drifts to more personal topics.

"So," Jake says, a hint of nervousness in his voice, "are you really okay with meeting my mom?"

I take a sip of my Thai iced tea, considering my answer. "I'm a little nervous," I admit. "But yes, I'm okay with it."

Jake's face breaks into a relieved smile. "Good. Because I meant what I said earlier—I've told her a lot about you. She already thinks that you're pretty great."

"Oh yeah?" I tease, trying to lighten the mood. "What exactly have you been saying about me, Mr. Harrison?"

He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. "Only the truth. That you're brilliant, passionate, and that you've made me happier than I've been in a long time."

His words send a rush of warmth through me. "Jake..."

"I'm serious, Sophia," he continues, his blue eyes intense. "These past few weeks, working on the Wishing Wall projects with you, watching you pour your heart into helping others... it's made me fall for you even harder."

Tears prick the corners of my eyes. "I feel the same way," I confess softly. "I've never met anyone like you, Jake. Your kindness, your dedication—it's inspiring. And a little intimidating, if I'm honest."

Jake's brow furrows. "Intimidating? Why?"

I shrug, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "Sometimes I wonder if I can keep up. You have this amazing vision for helping people, for making the world better. I'm just a reporter."

"Hey," Jake says firmly, squeezing my hand. "You're not 'just' anything. You're an incredible journalist who uses her talents to shine a light on important issues. And beyond that, you've become an integral part of these projects. The Wishing Wall wouldn't be what it is without you."

His words soothe an insecurity I didn't even realize I had been harboring. "Thank you." I blink back tears before he can see them.

Jake stands up, moving to my side of the booth. He slides in next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close.

"We're partners in this, Sophia," he says softly, his breath warm against my hair. "In all of it. The projects, the festival, and... us."

I lean into him, savoring the warmth and security of his embrace. "Partners," I agree, the word feeling right on my tongue.

Chapter Fifteen

Jake

The homey atmosphere of Elijah's, a family-owned restaurant downtown, wraps around us as I watch my mom and Sophia chatting over steaming plates of comfort food. Mom looks more relaxed than I've seen her in years, her weathered hands gesturing animatedly as she tells Sophia about her job at the local library.

"You wouldn't believe some of the stories I hear," she says, her eyes twinkling. "Just last week, a little boy tried to convince me that his dog ate his library card."

Sophia laughs, the sound warm and genuine, but I notice a slight tension around her eyes. She's been off all evening, though she's doing her best to hide it.

"That's adorable," Sophia replies. "I bet you never have a dull moment."

Mom shakes her head, smiling. "Never. But that's what I love about it. After years of cleaning houses, it's nice to have a job where I get to interact with people, you know?"

I feel a familiar pang in my chest, remembering the long hours she used to work when I was a kid, trying to make ends meet while my father drank away what little money we had. It'sonly been a few years since his passing, since I've really started to rebuild my relationship with my mom.

"Mom," I say softly, "you don't have to?—”

She waves me off. "Oh hush, Jake. Sophia should know where you come from. Heaven knows you worked hard enough to get where you are."

Sophia reaches under the table to squeeze my hand, her touch comforting. "Jake's told me a little about your family's struggles," she says to my mom. "It's clear where he gets his strength and determination from."

Mom's eyes mist over slightly. "Well, I don't know about that. But I do know that boy's got a heart of gold. Always has, even when things were at their worst."

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