Page 80 of Valentine's in Bayberry

So, she took his advice and enjoyed the moment. Throughout dinner, they talked about her business, his mother, and her grandmother. It felt good to share a meal with him and just talk like they used to do. She missed this. She’d miss them together.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Dinner was over.

And now it was time for a serious talk.

Carrie’s stomach dipped. They just had to figure this out. They’d come too far not to get the details right.

After their dishes were cleared, Carrie turned to Jackson. “I want to give us a real chance.”

“I do too.”

“And that’s why I feel we need to be on the same continent, preferably in the same town. We need time together to rebuild all of the bridges that distance and time has torn down.”

His gaze searched hers. “I feel the exact same way. That’s why—”

She pressed her fingers to his lips, silencing him. “Please, let me say this.” When he nodded, she lowered her hand. “I’ve given this a lot of thought. I can’t just walk away from the chocolate shop. I have so much of myself wrapped up in it, but what if I promoted Alice to manager and hired an additional person? Then when I’m in London, things will continue to run seamlessly.”

He reached for her hand and wrapped his long, lean fingers around hers. “You’d be willing to make that sacrifice?”

She felt as though she were standing on the edge of a cliff with a parachute strapped to her. She hesitated. And then she imagined Jackson taking her hand and telling her to jump with him. She just had to believe…

So, she figuratively took a leap: “Yes.” Her stomach shivered with nerves. “I want to do everything I can to make us work.”

After the server returned with Jackson’s credit card and receipt, he got to his feet and held his hand out to her. “Will you take a ride with me?”

Her gaze moved to his hand. She placed her hand in his. Her fingers laced with his. Hand in hand, they walked to his car.

She glanced around. “Where are we going? To the chocolate shop?”

“As delicious as your treats are, I have something else in mind.” He pulled his car to the curb in front of the building.

He told her to wait in the car. He got out and rushed around to open her door for her. He held his hand out to her. He was being such a gentleman. She loved it.

He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm as they walked to the front door of the vacant unit next to her shop. It was only then she realized all of the wood covering the windows and door had been removed. Mark’s guys were making fast progress.

“What are we doing here?” she asked.

“You’ll see in just a second.” Jackson unlocked the door. “Wait here for just a moment.”

He stepped inside, only to return a few seconds later. “I have something to show you.”

She saw the gleam of excitement in his eyes. She hadn’t seen him this wound up in a long time. It looked good on him.

When she stepped inside, she was caught off guard by the sweeping changes. All of the damaged wood and the saggingceiling were removed. Even though there wasn’t much more than framing up, she could now envision the space in a whole new way.

“This looks great. Are you going to finish it? Or leave it as a blank canvas for the new owner?”

“Well, see that’s the thing. The new owner is thinking of turning it back into a cafe.”

“Oh. So, you have a buyer?” She wasn’t expecting it to go down so fast. When Jackson nodded, she asked, “Who is it?”

“Me.”

Surely, she hadn’t heard him correctly. “You’re buying this building?”

“I am.” He smiled at her.

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