Page 72 of Holiday Hook Up

Calling the realtor and setting up an appointment to see the vacant office space next to the fire station would be the first step in her acknowledging she was ready to stop hiding in the Christmas Corner’s back office and shout to the world she had a full-time photography business. She tapped in the seven digits and a few minutes later had an appointment to meet the realtor in three hours. She’d done it!

Keep taking steps. Go after what you want.

She glanced down at her phone. If she was going to admit her true feelings to Adam, she first wanted to admit them to someone else whom she cared about. With one swipe, she had Rachel on the other end. “Hi,” she said into the phone, frozen on the stairs.

“Hey, Bethany.”

“Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No. Hold on for a second. Donovan, get your butt in here and watch your pancakes. I’ve got a phone call. Sorry, Bethany.”

“Donovan’s still with you?”

“That would be a yes. Oh, you haven’t heard the latest. He’s moving home.”

“Really? What about his restaurant in Colorado?”

“Selling it. I don’t know what’s gotten into him, but he made the announcement last night to the family at dinner.” She laughed. “And I’m sure this town will never be the same. So how are you doing?”

That question caught Bethany by surprise. Not so much the words but the sincerity in her tone. She took a deep breath. “That’s great about Donovan. I’m doing okay. I’m sorry I rushed out of the bakery like I did.”

“You have feelings for him, don’t you?”

Bethany knew Rachel wasn’t talking about her brother. She took a deep breath. “I do.”

“I knew it. I could totally tell by the way you two were looking at each other. Adam couldn’t take his eyes off you. Bethany, I think it’s great.”

“Really?” Bethany pulled the phone away from her ear for a second and took one step down, because she had to be hearing things. “You really think so?”

“Are you kidding? You two would make the cutest couple, not to mention you’ve known each other for years.”

“He and I have been friends for a long time,” Bethany agreed.

“I think you’d be super cute together. You have my blessing.” She paused. “Is that why you called?”

“Yes. I wanted to ask you first.” She stepped up, raking her fingers through her hair. She didn’t need Rachel’s permission. She took two more steps. “I mean . . . talk to you first. He and I have been spending some time together and flirting, but I haven’t been fully honest with him.”

“Well, get to it, girl.” She laughed. “Adam and I are just friends. It took us awhile to get there, but I do think we are now. You have my blessing, although you don’t really need it.”

Bethany knew she couldn’t end the conversation without bringing up what happened between Rachel and Adam earlier in the week. “But you two kissed.”

“He told you?”

“It sort of came out.” She didn’t want to admit her theory on what spell Adam was casting with the batter. “He said it just happened.”

“He’s right, and let me tell you, that was a mistake. I got caught up in the moment and kissed him. I was drunk from Donovan’s margaritas and probably light-headed from the smoke fumes. The thing is: Adam pulled back.Hestopped it. And now I know why.”

He stopped it.Bethany smiled to herself, relieved to hear Rachel’s confession.

Rachel went on, “And thank God he stepped back because it was awful. I mean . . . For you, it would be wonderful . . . um . . . romantic.”

Bethany chuckled. “I think I know what you mean. So, if Adam and I ever do get together, you would be totally fine with it?”

“Totally. Although, if you’re having doubts, I’d be happy to share with you all his bad habits, and trust me, like any man, he has several. Like his terrible routine of leaving his boxers everywhere, or the fact that he is a blanket hog. I mean serious cover takeover. I froze most of the time we were together. You might want to invest in a bunch of footy pajamas like I did.”

Bethany couldn’t help but smile, envisioning herself snuggled up to Adam in bed in her red velvet ones. “Noted.”

“Bethany, I’m cheering for you two. Go be happy.”

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