Page 109 of Falling for the Grinchy Bad Boy

“Joy, it’s okay,” I interrupted, recognizing the stress and exhaustion in her voice. “Tonight. We’ll figure this out tonight.”

She nodded, offering me a smile. “Thank you for understanding.”

I walked away from that conversation without any answers but also strangely hopeful. Joy hadn’t rejected the idea of talking. She just asked for time to focus on her professional responsibilities. That seemed reasonable, even responsible.

But as I made my way through the market grounds, I kept wondering if she’d been hearing the same rumors Katrina had mentioned. If the town gossip mill was already churning out stories about Lynn’s return and what it might mean for our relationship, then Joy’s recent coldness made perfect sense.

She was probably feeling exactly as unsettled and uncertain as I was, possibly wondering if my feelings for her were real or if I was still hung up on my ex-fiancée. The thought that she might be doubting my sincerity made me want to find her immediately and set the record straight.

But she couldn’t have that conversation right then and I had to respect that. The Christmas market was her baby, her chance to prove herself professionally in a town that would be crucial to her future. If she stayed. If I ruined the market, she would be more likely to leave town.

She agreed to talk to me later. That counted for something. We could sort this all out tonight, put all the confusion and speculation behind us.

I just had to be patient for a few more hours.

And try not to let my own insecurities and unspoken fears drive me completely insane in the meantime.

Tonight, I was going to tell Joy exactly how I felt and find out if she felt the same way.

The waiting was going to kill me, but at least now I had a plan.