Page 5 of Valentine's in Bayberry

“I rent the shop next door.”

“You what?” Surely, he hadn’t heard her correctly.

She smiled again. “I opened Totally Chocolate. I take it your mother never said anything to you.”

He shook his head. He’d hired a property management company to oversee this building. With him living overseas, it was too hard for him to do it.

“But a company...” He searched his memory for the name. “T.C. something leased it.”

Carrie’s chin rose ever so slightly. “T.C.C. That’s me. Totally Chocolate by Carrie.”

“Congrats. You finally got your chocolate shop.” He felt like he should have known that, but he’d had so much thrown at him in the past couple of weeks that he was struggling to stay on top of things. When she sent him a thousand-watt smile, he saw the pride she had for her hard work.

“Thank you. It’s a dream come true. Today is the grand opening.” She narrowed her gaze. “How did you not know that? There were people lined up outside on the sidewalk. You must have seen them when you got here.”

He shook his head. “I got here early. I came in through the back.” He waved toward the windows. “And as you can see, the windows are covered, so I can’t see the sidewalk.”

She nodded in understanding. “Well, now that you know, could you please stop the banging. It’s really distracting my patrons.”

He glanced down at the sledgehammer that he’d been using to get out some of his frustration. He gazed at the old restaurant that had been in his mother’s family for generations. The demo work had waited all of this time. It could wait another day.

“Okay. No more pounding. Go enjoy your grand opening. And congratulations again. It’s the perfect time of the year to open a chocolate shop.”

“From your lips to Brittany’s ears.” When he sent her a puzzled look, Carrie said, “She didn’t include Totally Chocolate in the Happy Hearts event.”

“I take it this event is a big deal.”

Carrie nodded. “Who doesn’t include a chocolate shop in a Valentine’s celebration?” As he went to answer her, she held up her hand stopping him. “Just let it go. I had to. Anyway, why don’t you come visit the shop?”

He was touched that she wanted to include him. After he’d left for college, things had never been the same between them. They’d tried to stay in contact but it was just too much to hear about her dating life. He just couldn’t be that sort of friend any longer.

And then when he took a job in New York City, they talked even less. By the time he moved to London, they only talked onholidays and birthdays. There was a random text here and there, but the closeness they’d once shared had evaporated.

“Thanks for the offer,” he said. “But I’m not exactly dressed for it.”

“You look fine.”

He glanced down just to make sure he hadn’t imagined putting on the old T-shirt from the back of the closet in his childhood bedroom. Nope. He was wearing it, with its faded lettering and a couple of tiny holes.

“Carrie, I look terrible. Maybe another time.”

His words evoked a pained look in her eyes. That was the last thing he’d wanted to do. But he wasn’t ready for the barrage of questions he’d inevitably receive about his mother. He wasn’t even sure what to tell them. He hadn’t slowed down long enough to figure it out. He’d been too busy putting out fires—like saving his childhood home from being auctioned off to pay back taxes.

“Oh. Okay.” She looked everywhere but at him. “I need to get back.”

“I understand. Good luck with everything.” He meant it. He wanted nothing but the best for her.

“Yeah. Thanks.” She turned and walked away.

He felt as though he’d let another chance to fix things with Carrie slip through his fingers. For one reason or another, it was always bad timing when it came to them. He just had to accept that what they shared was in the past and would remain there.

Because right now, he needed to make this vacant shop ready for potential buyers. They needed the money to pay off the debt his mother had run up without him knowing. But he would make an effort to work quieter.

The more he thought about Carrie, the more he felt as though he should do something to make up for interrupting her grand opening.But how?

And then it came to him, he could call Brittany. He’d put in a good word for Carrie’s shop and see if she would include it in this Happy Hearts thing. There was no guarantee Brittany would change her mind, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. He reached for his phone and dialed.

Chapter Three

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