Page 2 of Valentine's in Bayberry

“Of course there are.”

Carrie rushed toward the door. She reached for the blinds to take a peek, but if there really were people on the other side of the door, they’d see her. She hesitated.

“Here,” Alice said, causing Carrie to turn away from the door. “I’ll show you.”

Alice pulled her phone from her pocket, ran her fingers over the screen, and then turned it for her to see. There was a picture of the chocolate shop with a line of people in front of it. She counted a dozen, no, two dozen people waiting to visit her shop.

Oh my!Carrie pressed a hand to her chest. This was really happening. In that moment happy tears unexpectedly rushed to her eyes. She blinked repeatedly, hoping not to smear her makeup. There was no time to fix it.

“You aren’t crying, are you?” Alice sounded concerned.

Carrie nodded before swallowing past the lump in her throat. “Don’t worry. They’re happy tears.” She smiled as she turned to her friend. “This is really happening?”

“It’s really happening. I’m so happy for you.”

“For us,” Carrie corrected. “I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you.” After they hugged, Carrie asked, “Can I see that photo again?”

“Sure.” Alice handed over her phone.

Carrie searched the faces for one in particular. She told herself she didn’t care that Jackson was back in town and he hadn’t contacted her. After all, she’d been busy from the moment she got out of bed until the evening when she would fall into bed absolutely exhausted.

Still, she knew for a fact that the rumors floating around town about Jackson Wright’s unexpected return were true. She’d seen the lights on at his mother’s house and his rental car in the driveway. When they were growing up, they’d been next door neighbors and the best of friends. It seemed fate had made them neighbors once more. As for best friends, it made her sad to admit that she didn’t see that happening.

“Do you see him?” Alice asked.

Heat rushed from Carrie’s chest to her cheeks. “Uh, see who?”

Alice sent her a knowing smile. “Jackson, of course. You’ve been talking about him for two weeks now.”

“I have not.” Wait. Had she? If she had, she hadn’t talked about himthatmuch.

“Why don’t you just go see him?”

Carrie shrugged. “I’ve been busy. Besides, he didn’t come see me either.”

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re stubborn?” Alice moved behind the counter. “I have something to commemorate this moment.” She returned with what looked like a champagne bottle and two fluted glasses. “Shall we toast the moment?”

It was tempting. “But it’s not even lunch time.”

“Oh, you thought this was the real stuff?” Alice let out a little laugh. “Sorry. It’s just some apple cider. Shall I open it?”

“Of course.” Nervous laughter came bubbling out of her. “I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long that I didn’t know if it was ever going to happen.”

Alice unscrewed the cap and then poured the sparkling apple cider into the two flutes. She handed one to Carrie. “Here’s to the first day of your triumphant future.”

“Here’s to us,” Carrie said.

They clinked glasses together. Carrie took a sip of the sweet cider. The bubbles tickled her nose and popped in her mouth. She was really touched that Alice had thought to take this moment to appreciate what they’d been able to accomplish.

Carrie swallowed. “Thank you for agreeing to help me launch this venture. I really mean it when I say I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Thank you for asking me.” Alice checked the time. “Six minutes and counting.”

Bang. Bang-bang.

“What is that?” Alice vocalized Carrie’s thoughts.

They both grew quiet and listened.

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