“I’m sure it was Claire’s idea,” Jake added.
Mom’s blue eyes searched his. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just stressed. The orchard is opening in three days, and I don’t feel ready.”
Mom cupped her hand to his cheek. “I have faith in you and Emily. It’s going to work out.”
His lips widened into a grin. “Thanks, Mom.”
Emily’s thoughts ran wild as she sat at the patio table on Jake’s small deck, working on the banner. Her plan was to sketch it and then paint it in the morning.
She was certain she’d been transported to another dimension. She was finally Jake’s girlfriend.His girlfriend!Her lips tingled as she recalled the kisses they’d shared, which were even more intoxicating than she’d ever imagined. And boy, had she imagined them often over the years.
While she drew, she considered his suggestion of opening a gallery, and she couldn’t deny the thread of excitement winding through her. She imagined putting her precious paintings on display for purchase and sharing them with the world. Could her own gallery be successful? Would people want to adorn their homes with her work?
She allowed her mind to run with the idea. She envisioned working side by side with Jake while they set up the studio, holding his hand and kissing him during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Having her own gallery would make her a true professional artist.
Her eyes stung at the thought. Would her parents be proud of her? Would they support her using their money to make that dream a reality?
Hot tears began to pool in her eyes, which she wiped away with the sleeve of her hoodie.
“Get ahold of yourself,” she whispered.
It was too much to ponder right now. She needed to focus on the orchard and Jake.
Jake!
Finally, he was hers.
But... was he really?
Her stomach twisted as an unsettled feeling coursed through her. Everything had been perfect when she and Jake were alone. Conversation flowed easily between them as it always had. They laughed, talked, and kissed—a lot. But once they entered his folks’ house, everything had changed.
She could feel Claire staring daggers at her, and Sherry’s inappropriate comments about Emily’s family nearly tore a hole through her. She would’ve burst into tears right there in front of everyone if it hadn’t been for Jake, who knew just how to calm her down.
How could Jake truly be Emily’s boyfriend if Claire put up roadblocks everywhere? Would Claire ever respect Jake’s wishes and back off?
Why wouldn’t she just go away? Was it because Jake wasn’t truly over her?
She growled out a frustrated noise and then focused on her banner. She was outlining the last section when footsteps sounded on the deck stairs. She rolled her neck before turning toward Jake.
He sauntered over, looking positively delicious in a blue-and-tan-plaid shirt, along with jeans and a ball cap. And he washer boyfriend! She swallowed a happy screech.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hey yourself.”
He perched on a chair beside her, and she inhaled his enticing smell—sandalwood and Jake.HerJake!
“How’s the banner going?”
“Okay. I’ll need to start painting it tonight. It’s going to take a while.” She held it up. “What do you think?”
“I love it.”
And I love you. I always have.
Could he ever love her the same way she loved him?
