“I’m not planning to stay long.”
She pointed toward the counter. “What would you like?”
“Nothing.”
She harrumphed. “Then what’s the point of meeting at the Coffee Bean?”
“Just sit down so we can get this over with,” he seethed, working to keep his flaring temper in check.
She studied him and then did as she was told. “Okay. Go ahead and get it over with.” Her tone mocked him, but he ignored it. She folded her hands on the table and sat up straight. “I’m ready.”
“Good.” He paused for a moment. “I’m not sure what you were trying to prove by staging a fake engagement party last night. Maybe it was your idea of the ultimate prank, but you’re not going to get away with it. I told my parents the truth, and now it’s time for you to tell your parents. We’re not engaged, Claire. I’m not going to marry you. I’m not going to get back together with you. It’s over. You need to accept it because that is never going to change.”
She stared at him for a moment, and her expression remained blank. “Your mother was so excited last night that she was in tears. I guess you told her and broke her heart?”
“Actually, she understood completely. I should’ve done it last night. That’s on me.” He leaned forward and tapped his finger on the table. “Now, I need you to listen to me. I’m done. Don’t call me. Don’t text me. Pretend I don’t exist, because I’m over you and I’ve already blocked your number. So move on. I sure have.”
“With Emily?” She scrunched her nose as if she smelled something foul.
“Yes.” He leveled his gaze with hers. “Yes, with Emily. I’m crazy about her, and you’re not going to change that.”
She snorted.
“I really don’t care what you think.” Jake pushed himself out of the booth. “Have a nice life.” And as he walked toward the exit, he felt as if a thousand-pound boulder had been lifted off his shoulders.
Now he just needed to convince Emily that he was ready to begin forever with her.
Emily sat across from Andi at the Splendid Kitchen and pushed a piece of meatloaf around on her plate. She’d managed to avoid Jake the remainder of the day and then texted Andi to ask if she could meet for supper. Emily shared the events that had happened at Claire’s house and then told Andi about the mural before their server brought their meal.
“Wow,” Andi said. “I never liked Claire that much, but I didn’t imagine she would ever stoop so low as to throw herself a fake engagement party.”
Emily sagged in the booth. “Yeah. Jake begged me to take him back this morning, but I was so hurt and angry that I couldn’t do it.”
“I believe that Claire arranged it all. I don’t think Jake would use you like that.”
“I know.” She sighed and summarized what he’d said to her. “I think he meant it.”
Andi reached across the table and touched her hand. “I do too. I truly believe that you two are meant to be together. If he was begging you to talk to him, then he really cares. Jake’s a genuine guy. He’s one of the few good ones.”
“Emily Carmichael?”
She turned as a middle-aged man stopped by the table. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I drove by the Hughes FamilyOrchard today and checked out your mural. It’s really a sight to see,” he exclaimed. “I’m going to take my family to the anniversary celebration tomorrow, and I told my neighbors about it. You’re really, really talented.”
Emily was stunned silent for a moment. “Thanks,” she managed to say.
“I only speak the truth.” The man nodded at Andi. “Enjoy your meal.”
Emily stared after him.
“That was incredible!” Andi said. “Seth drove by the mural today, and he told me about it. I can’t wait to see it tomorrow. He said the orchard was crazy busy because of it, that all kinds of people wanted to get their photo in front of it. You’re a viral artist now.” Her smile dissolved. “Are you okay?” She touched Emily’s hand.
“I feel like I’m at this crossroads. I can try to work things out with Jake or go back to Charlotte. And I don’t know what to do.”
“What’s your heart telling you to do?”
Emily met Andi’s sympathetic gaze. “Give Jake a chance.”
