Page 68 of Valentine's in Bayberry

Once Gran found out the truth, there were numerous phones calls and a meeting with the principal. Brittany ended up with a suspension, and Carrie went back to school. He wasn’t sure, but he was pretty certain that was the moment the animosity was cemented between Carrie and Brittany. Well, it was more on Brittany’s side because Carrie let it go. She never talked about Brittany. It was like she didn’t even exist.

As Gran sat there quietly, he cleared his throat. He didn’t know how she would respond to what he was about to say. So, he might as well get straight to the point. “I’m here because I want to ask your granddaughter to marry me.”

The breath caught in the back of his throat as he waited for her response. At first, Gran had a blank expression. He started to wonder if he’d actually vocalized the words.

Then Gran’s whole face lit up with a smile. She looked at least ten years younger. “Well, it’s about time!”

He released a pent-up breath. “But I’m going to need your help.”

“Whatever you need.”

And so over coffee, he told her his strategy for this very special proposal. Together, they tweaked his plans until it felt like the perfect way to sweep Carrie off her feet—at least he hoped she would be swept away.

Business was non-stop.

Things were selling out.

This should have been one of the best days of Carrie’s life. Her business was a success. Even Alice had made it to work before Carrie. Everything was going right.

And yet, she was distracted with thoughts of Jackson. There were a few times where she thought she caught a glimpse of him entering the chocolate shop. But when she raised her head and got a proper look, it wasn’t him. She was disappointed each time.

It took both her and Alice working behind the counter to keep up with the steady string of business. Alice was amazing. She was a natural with the customers. At times, Carrie felt that if she weren’t there, Alice could manage the shop on her own.

When the thought crossed her mind, it surprised her. Carrie always thought when she opened the shop that her constant presence would be essential, but maybe that wasn’t the case. If she were to hire the right staff, it might give her some flexibility in her schedule. The idea burrowed into her thoughts and wouldn’t leave.

The number of customers coming in the door slowed down shortly after four. It gave Carrie a chance to survey the display cases. She was shocked and pleased to find that even with refilling the shelves throughout the day, they were sold out of numerous items from the chocolate-covered cherries to the new s’mores she’d just added to the menu.

When their last customer exited the shop with a smile on their face, Alice turned to her. “Wow. That was amazing. I guess we know what every Bayberry resident is getting for Valentine’s.”

Carrie smothered a yawn as she nodded. “It was a really good day. We sold more chocolate than I could have imagined.”

Alice pressed her hands to her hips. “Then why don’t you look happy?”

Carrie sighed. “Would you believe I’m exhausted?”

“Yes, but…” Alice studied her. “It’s more than that.”

Carried knew her friend would continue to press her until the whole story came tumbling out. And so, Carrie told her about the kiss she’d witnessed and her last conversation with Jackson.

Alice arched a brow. “So, you don’t believe that Jackson is the one who initiated the kiss?”

“I believe him when he said she surprised him when she kissed him. Besides, he never liked her that way.”

“Then why are you pushing him away when he’s crazy about you?” When Carrie didn’t immediately respond, Alice continued. “Wait. Are you trying to tell me that you’re over him? Because I don’t believe you. You’ve been hung up on him as long as I’ve known you.”

Her friend was right. She’d fought the feelings. She’d denied the feelings, even to herself. But they were always there, just below the surface.

Carrie grabbed the window cleaner and a rag. “But what kind of future are we going to have with him in London and me in Bayberry?”

“Is that the only reason you’re pushing him away?”

She moved to the front of the display cases and started to clean them. All the while Alice’s question poked and prodded her. Was it the distance that kept her from giving in to her feelings for him?No.There was something that worried her more than that.

“What if we give the relationship a chance, and then six months or a year from now, we realize that we made a huge mistake?” That was the part that kept her awake at night.

“Then you breakup and know you gave it your best effort.”

Carrie shook her head. “Then we’ll never speak again. I’ll have lost the person who has known me all of my life. And I just can’t imagine my life without Jackson in it.”

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