Page 22 of Falling Madly
“And, who knows,” Trevor went on, smile on his lips, “Maybe some small-town magic will melt yer icy heart and you’ll find room in it for one reformed Scot with healthy lungs?”
He slowed down, turning onto Cozy Creek Main Street. Snow had started to fall, turning the already cute-as-a-button street into a children’s storybook illustration, complete with snowcapped mountains.
I blew a measured breath, taking it all in. The cafes, Bookers bar, the beautiful old library building. Copious amounts of pink hearts hung from the lampposts, reminding me of what day it was. My heart, not icy at all, squeezed in my chest.
“Come on. I know you’re not a Hallmark movie character, but you must admit this is fair lovely!” He pulled over, parking in front of a bookstore with pink paper hearts hanging across its window.
I swallowed. “If your plan was to use small-town adorableness to win me over, you should have chosen another small town. Literally any other town.”
He blinked at me. “Why?”
“Because I grew up here.”
Chapter Seven
Trevor
Teresa’s words felt like a blast of cold water. How did I not know this about her? Countless details I’d carefully curated about her flashed through my mind as I searched for a clue.
“Are you sure?” I finally asked, like a true moron.
I fully earned the eye roll she gave me. “No, Trevor. I’m not entirely sure where I grew up. Maybe it was another cute, backward-ass town in the Rockies called Cozy Creek.”
She glanced at the row of pretty lampposts with their pink decorations. I’d killed the engine, but neither of us was making a move to get out of the car.
“I thought you were born in Colorado Springs,” I said.
“I was. Mom moved me and my little sister here after my dad left. I was thirteen. She was worried about the big city influences and thought the wholesome, small-town environment would stop me from turning into a hard-to-handle teenager.”
“Did it?”
She laughed, but it wasn’t a mean laugh. A little sad, maybe. “It’s the magic fix. Instantly balances teenage hormones.” She nibbled at her lip, her jaw tense.
“Have you been back?”
“Only when I found out I was getting fired from Wilde and I drove here to pick up Bess.” She looked down at her fingers, blushing. “And scream at Charlie.”
“If it helps, I’ve wanted to scream at him many times.”
“He’s like your best friend.”
“I love him like a brother, but the man can be a right eejit… I mean an idiot.”
“Anyone can.”
I grabbed the door handle, trying to adjust my expectations. The pretty-as-a-picture small town was Teresa’s old hometown. What I associated with my future, she associated with her past. And if her formative years had been anything like mine, the memories were a mixed bag. Judging by the stiffness in her shoulders, maybe even worse.
Ye heart wants whit it wants.
It was one of those infuriating, tautological statements my dad overused, but it was true. I couldn’t turn off my feelings for her. I had to go on hoping and trying to win her back. And if I had to, I’d do it all on my own, without any small-town magic.
I flung open the door and launched myself out onto the sidewalk, then circled the car to help Teresa out. Not that she accepted my help. She downright fought it, but somehow, we both ended up in front of the right door at the right time.
Annalise Higgins, the realtor I knew from earlier, appeared from behind it, opening the paneled blue door with a huge smile and a flourish. She was in her fifties, wearing a pink bodysuit, her carefully coiffed dark hair perfectly matching the Valentine’s Day decorations and the ‘we-go-all-out’ vibe of the town.
“Hi Trevor! Great to see you again. Welcome, welcome!”
I introduced Teresa, and we followed Annalise up a narrow, squeaky staircase. At the top, she opened another door and led us into an unfurnished office space overlooking Main Street.
