I fight back a frown, hating that money’s kept her from her dream. She’d wanted to take over her mother’s business, and my family took that opportunity away from her.
I can make this right. “What about my offer? Rent isn’t too expensive, and I’m willing to help you out with whatever you need.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want charity.”
“It wouldn’t be charity. You tell me how much you can afford, and we can work out a deal.”
She eyes me skeptically. “I can’t go into business with your family. Remember what happened to my parents?”
“I’d never do that to you. Never. I’m not my parents, and now, you know why they did what they did.”
She stays quiet.
“Not once have there been any complaints from our tenants here. Ask around. Not one.”
“Why are you being so nice to me after what I did to you?”
“I hate how everything went down between our families.” I hold up the last bite of the pound cake. “Plus, I’d like to have these regularly.”
Regularly?
Why would I say that?
I haven’t committed to moving home.
She’s the first person I’ve even mentioned something like that to.
“Oh, so you’re bribing me?” She laughs.
“Possibly.” I wink.
“How about this?” She bites into her lip. “I’ll think about it.”
“I’ll take it. You think, and I’ll be waiting.”
She holds up a finger. “If you also think about moving home.”
I slam my mouth shut.
Whoa.
Wasn’t expecting that.
Chapter Seven
MARIAH
Can I do this?
Start a business.
Last night was a whirlwind. I stayed and chatted with Miles until the dinner ended. He wouldn’t say goodbye until I promised to consider his offer.
This man, my past lover, is getting to me.
At first, I tried denying it, but he’s digging himself in deeper. I nearly fell out of my chair when I couldn’t stop myself from saying I’d stay if he stayed. If we stay, we can give ourselves a second chance at love.
Another perk of Blue Beech?
Lava Java is open on Christmas Eve morning for two hours—giving us caffeine junkies our holiday fuel. As I’m grabbing my drink—caramel pumpkin spice—I spot Miles’s mom, Nelli, at a table reading a book. I pause, unsure of what to do, and am about to hurry out when she calls my name.
Not wanting to be rude, I stop at her table.
“Good morning,” I say with a smile.
“Want to join me?” she asks, closing her book and resting it next to her.
“Sure.” Why not? Let’s keep having these conversations. It’ll help you grow.
This is the holiday of forgiveness and discovering where I belong. It’s also the moment I’d take a shot while watching a Hallmark movie.
“I want to apologize,” Nelli says, “for what happened between our families. I know how much the pastry shop meant to your mother and you.” Her eyes fall as she taps her fingers against the table.
I blow out a breath. “It’s okay. I forgive you. Now, I understand.”
Her face brightens, and she stands, holding out her arms. I follow her lead as happiness surges through me.
On this Christmas Eve, I’m shown what life in Blue Beech could be.
“Baking day number two,” I say to my mother when I walk in on Christmas Eve—post-Nelli talk.
Today, my mother does the cooking while I do the baking. She makes a large meal—turkey, noodles, potatoes, and all the fixings while I bake a pie and a cake.
Just as we’re finishing up, I wipe my hand on a towel and glance at her. “Can I talk to you about something?”
Concern etches along her face. “Of course, honey.”
“I’m sure you saw Miles and me talking.” I’m surprised I haven’t been interrogated by her yet. Phoebe isn’t showing up until later because they spend the day at Spencer’s parents, but I’m sure she’ll be questioning me later.
“I sure did,” she replied, holding back a smile.
“He offered to rent me an open space in the building … where Pastry Puffs was.”
She can’t contain her grin. “Really?” She jumps up and down. “What did you tell him?”
“That I’d think about it.” I grab her hand in mine. “I want to make sure this is okay with you too. I know you lost your dream when the shop shut down, and I don’t want it to bring up any old memories.”
“Oh, honey.” She squeezes my hand. “I’d love nothing more than for you to live your dream. I’ll be there with you every step of the way. Believe me, you’ll always have my support. I had my dream, my shop, and now it’s your turn.”
It’s my turn.
I wake up with a text from Miles.
Miles: Merry Christmas from your future landlord.
There’s no holding back my smile.
I take a deep breath.
A deep, life-changing breath.
This is it.
After thinking about it all night, I’ve made my decision.
Me: Merry Christmas from your future tenant.
There.
It’s done.
No going back now.
Miles: You serious?
Me: I’m serious.
Miles: I guess that means it’s my turn.
Me: It’s your turn.
Miles: Looks like we’re Blue Beech’s newest residents.
Chapter Eight
MILES
“So, how does this game go?”
Mariah peeks over at me with a playful grin.
It’s Christmas night. A few hours ago, she asked if I had any plans tonight. When I said I was free, she invited me over to Phoebe’s. Evie and Ethan are at their grandparents tonight, so Phoebe made spiked eggnog, and Mariah announced we’re playing the Hallmark Game.
Whatever the hell that is.
“When something cheesy happens, you drink,” Mariah replies.
I raise a brow. “How do I know what’s cheesy?”
“Oh, trust me, man,” Spencer comments. “Anytime you want to say, ‘Oh, come on’—that’s when you drink.”
Mariah is curled up close to me, a fleece blanket wrapped around her body, and a mug in her hand. I nearly lost it when I walked in to find her and Phoebe wearing matching Christmas onesies.
“Don’t ask,” Spencer said, clapping me on the back.
Phoebe handed out our eggnog, and we made ourselves comfortable.
Not once since coming home have I said, “This was a bad idea.” I don’t miss New York. There’s no better place than Blue Beech, and spending the holidays here has opened my eyes. My family is here. My friends—true authentic friends who aren’t only out for themselves—are here. Everything I’d ever need is in Blue Beech, and it’s time I do something about it.