She shook her head. “No. I’ve grown up, and I’ve accepted that you’ll never choose me. That’s why you wanted to date in secret. You were too embarrassed to be seen with me. You liked the idea of dating me. Of kissing me. But it was never real.” She eyed him with suspicion. “Did you use me to make her jealous?”
“What? No!” Her words were like a knife to his soul. “No, that’s not—”
“Just forget it. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“It does to me.” He tried to touch her, but she snatched her arm back as if he’d stung her.
“I’m going to finish helping you with the anniversary celebration and then I’m leaving. I’m going to go back to Charlotte to rebuild my life there. I don’t belong here.”
These were the words he’d dreaded the most. “No. Please don’t leave. You broke my heart when you sold the house and left. Please don’t leave again.”
“Ibroke your heart?” She touched her chest. “Do you want to know why I left?”
He nodded.
“I left becauseyoubrokemyheart.” Her voice was laced with agony. “I realized it was time for me to wake up and face the truth—that you’dneverchoose me. The idea of staying here and watching you build a life with Claire was too painful. That’s also why I didn’t come for the holidays last year. Watching you and Claire flirt, hold hands, whisper to each other, and kiss was too much for me. And that’s why I need to go. You and Claire will be happier without me.”
“Em, you’re not listening to me.” His words were measured. “I’m begging you. Stay here with me. Let’s build a life together—just you and me.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks, and he longed to brush them away and then kiss her until she was breathless.
“I don’t belong here,” she whispered.
“Yes, you do. This is your home.” He took a deep breath. “Don’t leave me. Let’s work this out.”
“Jake! Hey, Jake!”
For goodness’ sake, not now!
He turned just as Vince came to the bottom of the scaffolding, and the rest of their seasonal employees were gathered behind him.
Oh no.
Had everyone heard their conversation?
Great. Just great.
Vince held up his phone. “Smile.”
“What?” Jake asked.
“Smile, Boss. I’m going to take a photo and share it on the orchard’s social media pages.” He waved his phone.
Jake turned to Emily, who watched him with a hesitant expression. “Should we pose together?”
“Um... I don’t think so.”
She wiped her eyes, then moved her fingers over her paintbrush. She slipped over to the other side of the mural before she peered down at Vince, a half smile on her lips.
Vince held up the phone and then dropped it into his pocket. “This is great. It’s just what we need to get people out here.” Then he rubbed his hands together. “We need to talk through the plan for the events.”
“You’d better go,” Emily said. “The big day is tomorrow, and Vince needs you.”
He hesitated. His relationship with Emily was more important than the orchard or anything else. He wanted to fix thisnow.
“Go,” she repeated, pointing to Vince.
“I’m going, but I’m not going to give up on this. On us.” He pointed between them. “Will you talk to me later?”
