Page 38 of Valentine's in Bayberry

“We’ll ask her then.”

She helped him put the photographs back into their respective boxes. She’d had a really nice evening, and she hated to say goodbye. There was something warm and relaxing about thishome. It was going to take a lot to get used to it being sold. It would be like losing a piece of her past.

She slipped on her coat and turned to him. “Thanks for a fun evening.”

He arched a brow. “You call a dinner you prepared and some old photos fun?” When she nodded, he said, “You obviously haven’t been out much lately. You know what they say about all work and no play.”

“I know, it makes Carrie a very dull girl. But I guess no one can have everything.” And then before things could get awkward like they had the other evening, she said, “Goodnight.”

She turned and slipped out the door without so much as a hug. Even now, it felt as though one thing might lead to another, and she couldn’t let that happen. Jackson wasn’t thinking clearly now, but someday he’d thank her for protecting their friendship.

The memory of their kiss flashed in her mind. Her heart betrayed her as it pitter-pattered in her chest. She never looked at him as anything more than a friend. So, then why did the memory of that kiss get to her?

He should leave well enough alone.

And yet, he couldn’t do it.

Jackson couldn’t get Carrie out of his mind. He had this sinking feeling that this was a turning point in their lives. If he didn’t try to make her see they could be so much more than good friends, they would lose their bond.

They were both at the age when thoughts of settling down were taking shape in their minds. With the great distance between them, they would meet other people, fall in love, and get married. They would lose not only this opportunity but their friendship. The fact that it’d lasted this long was no small feat.But if Carrie thought they could be this close when they were committed to other people, she was kidding herself. That’s why he had to convince her to give their romance a chance.

On Sunday, as he’d listened to his mother and Carrie talk, a plan began to take shape in his mind. And now that it was Monday morning, it was time to put his plan into action. He was going to take a risk and show Carrie how much he cared about her. If she still rejected him, he wouldn’t like it, but he’d accept it.

After a quick trip into town, he came home with all of the supplies he would need to initiate the plan. In fact, his old bedroom now looked more like a craft shop than a bedroom. At that particular moment, he was glad his mother wasn’t around to see him cutting out hearts and trying to think of something romantic to put on the valentine he was making for Carrie.

But as he worked on his crafty creation, he realized the valentine wasn’t enough. To take their lifetime friendship to the next level, he really needed to step it up. So, he started to think about some of Carrie’s favorite things. He would work those into his plan.

He was certain as soon as she saw the valentine, she would figure out it was from him. Still, he wanted to add a little bit of mystery to it.

If he didn’t want her to see him deliver it, he had to make sure of where Carrie was. He grabbed his phone and dialed her number.

She answered on the first ring. “Good morning.”

“Good morning to you too. I was just calling to see if you were still coming over today.”

“Uh, yes. I am. But I can’t do it until twelve or so. I’m at the shop now, prepping some stuff for Happy Hearts this evening.”

“But I thought the shop was closed on Mondays.”

“Normally, it is, but I’m making an exception for this event. It won’t take me that long. I’ll be gone and back so fast that you won’t even miss me. Is that all you wanted?” She sounded distracted.

“Just one other thing. What would you like for lunch?”

“I don’t know.” There was a pause, as though she were thinking it over. “Why don’t you surprise me?”

He didn’t have a clue what to surprise her with. “I accept the challenge, but don’t get your hopes too high.”

She laughed. “I’m sure whatever you pick out will be fine.” In the background there was a loud buzzer going off. “That’s my timer. I’ve got to go.”

After they hung up, he smiled. She wasn’t home, so he could deliver the valentine. His plan was coming together. Now he just had to hurry.

Chapter Thirteen

The chocolate cake wasfrosted.

The ingredients for the chocolate fluff were pulled and waiting. Carrie wanted to prepare it fresh for the plump strawberries that were waiting in the fridge. The other chocolates were prepared and waiting to be plated.

Everything was prepared for the first night of Happy Hearts week. Carrie drove home with a smile on her face. Everything was coming together and making her opening month a success.

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