Page 20 of Valentine's in Bayberry

“Really?” Kate smiled. “That’s awesome!”

“They were crazy to turn you down in the first place,” Abby said.

“How did this happen?” Kate asked.

“I don’t know,” Carrie said. “I got a call this morning from Brittany. She let me know that my shop was in as long as I supplied a special menu for the event by tomorrow afternoon.”

“I wonder what changed her mind?” Abby mused out loud.

“I don’t know,” Carrie said. “When I asked, she wouldn’t say.”

Jackson was relieved that Brittany hadn’t told her about his part in including Totally Chocolate in Happy Hearts. To behonest, he thought Brittany was foolish for turning Carrie down when she’d applied for the event.

Of course, the favor hadn’t been free. Brittany hadn’t changed from high school. She didn’t do anything for free. And so he had to agree to use her as his real estate agent when he put the building on the market. He really didn’t want to continue to deal with her, but it was worth it to see the happiness written all over Carrie’s face.

Chapter Seven

It was a deliciouslunch.

And most of all, the company was fabulous.

After Abby and Kate departed, Carrie and Jackson had enjoyed some of the Grille’s signature beef stew with a side of homemade bread. The bread was so soft and tasty. But Jackson’s company was her favorite part of their lunch break.

Carrie slathered the softened butter on the last piece of bread. “Are you enjoying being in London?”

He nodded. “It’s great there.”

“As great as Bayberry?” She didn’t want his life to be so wonderful in Europe, because she hated the thought that he would never move back. And she really missed her friend.

He shook his head. “There’s no place like home.”

It was exactly what she wanted to hear. A smile tugged on the corners of her lips. “I’m glad you’re here. How much longer can you stay?”

He pushed his empty bowl to the end of the table. “I’ll be around for a while.”

No matter how long it would be, it wasn’t be nearly long enough. “It’s great to have you home again. Those text messages just aren’t the same as seeing you in person.”

“I agree.” He leaned back. “So are you seeing anyone?”

She shook her head. “I was seeing Codi Reynolds, but we broke up a few months ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It was for the best.”

Codi was a nice guy, but there was no chemistry between them. Her grandmother used to tell her that she’d know the right guy by his kiss. Gran insisted that a kiss from the right guy would be profound. She also warned that the kiss would be a bit scary at first because she would know that her life was about to be irrevocably changed.

Carrie had never experienced such a kiss. She wasn’t sure a kiss like that was even possible. Gran was a bit of a romantic. Her bookshelves were filled with romance novels. Although, Carrie had to admit it would be nice if there was such a thing as a magical kiss that would tell her who the right guy was for her.

Not wanting to talk about her dismal love life, she asked, “What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”

The breath caught in her throat as she waited for his next words. She didn’t know why she was so invested in his answer, but he had her full attention.

He shook his head. “There’s no one.”

She exhaled the breath. She didn’t know why she was making a big deal out of his social life. It’s not like she was interested in him.

However, she remembered in their distant past how their dating lives had put a huge strain on their friendship. Suddenly, they didn’t have time to hang out with each other. Or, the things they’d once done together were now being done with their significant others.

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