Although she hadn’t been planning on announcing this to the whole town, she couldn’t stop the gossip from flying now. It might as well be the right gossip. “I’m leaving for Boston the day after Christmas. I have a job interview at a big magazine there.”
Without asking whether or not Julie wanted coffee—she did—Lucy turned over and filled her cup. The aroma of the brew made Julie’s stomach grumble. Instant coffee just couldn’t compare.
“You have an interview right after Christmas?”
Julie rolled her eyes. “I know. But I want the job. I couldn’t tell them to wait a couple more days.”
“Well,” Lucy said, propping a hand on her hip. “I hope they snatch you up like you deserve. Are you hungry today?”
“Starving,” Julie admitted.
After she’d ordered lunch, Lucy retreated to another table. Strangely enough, Julie didn’t feel any more excited about the job interview after admitting it out loud. It was happening. She’d been hoping to get this call for weeks. But after all the work she’d been putting in to make Gram’s last Christmas at the Cozy Holly Inn a day to remember, the job interview fell flat.
Ivy made a face. “It sucks that you have to leave so soon. I thought you’d be around for a bit after the party.”
“I thought so too.”
“Will you come back to visit? It’s been really nice reconnecting again after so long.”
“It has.” Julie felt terrible. Her chest felt tight, but she managed not to rub it and give away her unease. “I don’t know whether I’ll come back. The inn is getting sold.”
Ivy nodded. Despite her disappointment, she didn’t draw out the moment and make Julie feel even more guilty. She just accepted Julie’s decision and moved on. “How are the party preparations coming?”
“I’m almost done, actually. Well, except for the plumbing problem and the inspection. I just want to stop at the ninety-nine-cent store again and grab a few more decorations. Small touches, you know. Something to make the place really shine.”
Ivy smiled. She emptied a creamer into the coffee cup that Lucy had refilled. “Anything I can help with? I’ll bring the wine this time.”
The offer made Julie’s throat thick. She’d just admitted that she was leaving in a few days and uncertain whether or not she’d ever see Ivy again, yet her friend was still offering to help. And, despite how little time they’d spent together as adults, Ivywasher friend. It was almost as if no years had passed since their childhood days. Ivy was so down-to-earth, so ready to stake her loyalty for friendship. Ivy made time for Julie.
Could Julie really say the same about her friends back in Boston?
“That would be great. I’ll pick up the extra decorations today and send you a text?”
Ivy nodded.
Julie gave her a heartfelt smile. “Thanks. It will help keep my mind off of the plumbing disaster.”
Lucy arrived with their lunches. This time, Julie had chosen a grilled chicken wrap. It had looked too good last time she’d been here. When she bit into the first mouthful, she knew she had made the right decision.
Ivy wasn’t paying nearly as much attention to her food, maybe because she’d only ordered a pastry and coffee. “Ned still hasn’t called?”
Julie shook her head. She held her hand in front of her mouth until she finished chewing. “Do you think I should call him? I don’t want to be a pest, but the party isreallysoon.”
“I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten you. You said he was waiting on some parts?”
Julie nodded.
Ivy shrugged. “Then there’s nothing you can do to make them come any faster, except driving to the supplier yourself.”
“Trust me, at this point, I’m tempted.”
Ivy shook her head with a rueful smile. “Don’t worry. The people here won’t let you down.”
That was the difference between Pinecone Falls and Boston, wasn’t it? It wasn’t only business to the people in town. It was a community. Ned wanted to help her fix the sink in time for the inspection because he’d be coming to the party too. And maybe he wanted to do it just because it was the Cozy Holly Inn, and it had been there for as long as he could remember, and he knew Gram.
Though it wasn’t going to be there for much longer. No, soon it would be an extension of Barrington Lodge. That was if Klaus Miller didn’t just have it demolished. That wouldn’t make good business sense, would it?
The thought made Julie lose her appetite.
