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I glanced down at my fleece pants and sherpa pullover. “It’s warm. Why not?”
“Just change for me, okay? You never know who you might see.”
Outside, the sun set the sky ablaze as it dropped behind snow-peaked mountains. Not quite out of snow season, the world remained a winter wonderland. I loved snow, but I was ready for warmer days and colorful flowers.
“Hey, wait. This isn’t the way to the pizza place,” I replied, shimmying up in my seat. I looked around, alarmed at the location. “Why are we here, Madison?”
“I just need to grab something. Calm down. I’ll be back in a minute.” Without waiting for me to respond, she left the car running and hopped out.
My phone dinged, momentarily distracting me by letting me know about another online order. Ever since I’d been off the show, sales had skyrocketed. Somehow, Madison and Logan, my assistant, had pulled together an ordering website, and we’d started testing it out with baked goods.
I’d taken time off by doing the bare minimum at night, and somehow, the café had survived just fine without me. Not a development I’d expected. But it was one I appreciated.
Maybe I needed to learn to step back.
Madison knocked on the window. “Hey, come inside for a minute.”
“I really just want to grab pizza and go home.”
“I need to show you something.”
“Fine.” I reached over and turned the ignition off before shoving open the door to get out in the cold. I couldn’t imagine what she’d need to show me in the inn, unless it was food paired with chocolate and romantic comedies. Scratch that. Everything but the food reminded of Flynn, and even then, I had to be careful.
“In here, Harper!” Madison called.
I followed the sound of her voice and froze when I stumbled into the living room. Flynn stood in front of the fireplace, clutching a rose.
“Is that from my stock?”
“Hey, buttercup,” he murmured, giving me a half smile.
I hated the way my heart tripped in my chest the moment I saw him. That I felt relieved that he was okay. I hated that I took comfort in the fact that he looked as heartbroken as I felt, like he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in weeks. But mostly, I hated that I wanted tojump right back into the way things were.
I sniffled, trying to hold back my emotions. “Why am I here?”
“Because you deserve an explanation. And I want to give you one.”
“You’re a traitor.” I glanced over at Madison and gave her the evil eye.
“Just listen to him, okay?” she encouraged.
“You picked someone else. What do I need to know?” I turned back to Flynn and spread my arms. “It’s all over and done with now.”
“It’s not.”
My brows drew together. “What do you mean?”
He crossed the room, stopping only once to drop the rose onto the coffee table before stopping just short of me. Tentatively, he reached out for me. I hesitated, knowing full well that the moment we touched, I’d be done for.
With a steady breath, I put my palm in his, trying to ignore the jolt of electricity that spread from our joined hands.
“I didn’t propose to anyone.” He led me through the house to the back of the inn and into the backyard.
“When did they add the bulbs?” I asked, taking in the soft glow of the lights strung across the backyard space. A beat later, his words registered. “Wait, you didn’t propose? To anyone?”
“No. And believe me, Laurel wasn’t too thrilled about it.”
“I’d imagine not.” My head spun.What did this mean?
