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Mitch removed his baseball hat, ran a hand through his disheveled hair, and put it back on before answering. “It’s definitely something more.”
She studied him. “But?
“But you said yourself—I don’t do well with relationships. Settling down somewhere wasn’t in my plans yet. Settling down here was never the intent.”
“Hate to break it to you, brother, but life doesn’t give a shit about your plans. Things happen when you’re not expecting them. Are you willing to trust in these feelings you have for Jess or are you determined to see through your own path?”
“I honestly don’t know. I really care about her, but life here…”
She nodded. “I get it. I love it here, but the pace would kill me. New York gets me, just like traveling overseas is your calling. You’re doing amazing work, Mitch, and Jess sees the great heart in you—that’s why she’s falling for you. And I think you see a little of the stability you’re lacking in her. It makes sense.”
He laughed. “You should have been a therapist.”
She shook her head as she reached across and touched his knee. “I enjoy arguing too much,” she said with a laugh. “Anyway, I know you’ll do the right thing.”
He wished he was as sure of that as she sounded. But he didn’t even know for sure what the right thing was. “Thanks for the talk, sis,” he said, meaning it. A heart to heart with his sister was long overdue and he hoped there were more in their future.
Malcolm descended the stairs and Lia stood. “Well, if you do decide that Jess is The One, let me know and I’ll let you in on a little secret.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
December 24th…1 Day Until Christmas…
Knock. Knock.
Jessica glanced up from the magazine she was reading in the chair next to Whitney’s bed, and her heart raced at the sight of Mitch standing in the hospital room doorway. Dressed in jeans, a hoodie, and a baseball hat, he was both a sight for sore eyes and a tear straight through her heart. He was leaving the next morning at three a.m. They only had twelve hours left together.
“Hi, come in,” Jessica said, standing and straightening her sweater.
“Is she actually working from her hospital bed?” he asked, nodding toward a much better-looking Whitney who had her laptop on her lap, on which she was typing with her one good hand, and her cell phone pressed between her shoulder and ear.
“She is, but she’s limited to three hours a day. Doctor’s orders,” Jessica said, shooting her friend a pointed look that said her time was almost up.
“Trent here yet?” Mitch asked.
“He should be any minute.” They’d been switching off hospital duty with Whitney for the last several days, each taking a shift so she didn’t have to be alone.
It was making the bed-ridden woman a little cranky, but she was being released that evening to be home for Christmas. Whitney covered the mouthpiece on her cell phone. “You can go. Y’all are pissing me off being here twenty-four seven,” she hissed.
Jessica laughed. “She’s really appreciative,” she told Mitch sarcastically, grateful for the moment to break the tension surrounding her all day, knowing she’d have to tell Mitch that she wouldn’t be going away with him. She couldn’t leave Blue Moon Bay for six months when she was needed there. Her decision not to sell the bakery had become a much easier one to make, knowing Whitney and Sarah both needed her right now.
Mitch smiled at her, the expression in his dark eyes unreadable. Longing and apprehension…remorse? Only that they didn’t have much time left together. He was flying out that evening. The last few days she’d barely seen him—only when he’d stop by the hospital with food or coffee for her and Sarah. It wasn’t enough. They needed more time. They needed more talking and kissing and other things they hadn’t gotten a chance to do in the mountains…
“Hey, seriously, you two, get out of here. You don’t want to spend your last few hours in Blue Moon Bay with me,” Whitney told Mitch, before returning her attention to her call.
“I can’t imagine why not. She’s so delightful,” Mitch said with a grin as Trent entered the hospital room.
“Hey! Sorry I’m late. Hectic day at the bar, being Christmas Eve,” Trent said, rushing forward to give Whitney a hug. He checked his watch and took her laptop away.
She went to argue, but when he reached for the phone, she clutched it tight. “Two more minutes,” she said.
Trent turned to Jessica and Mitch. “Thanks for hanging out. You two have anything special planned for tonight?”
Jessica swallowed hard. Did they? Part of her wanted to go back to the inn with him and make love and snuggle until he had to leave. The other part wanted to try to preserve any piece of her heart she could still salvage and walk away that evening before she fell apart in front of him.
“I had some thoughts…” Mitch said, avoiding Trent’s gaze.
He did? Well, she’d let him take the lead, then. Her heart and mind were too conflicted to be trusted to make wise decisions anyway. Jessica hugged Whitney quickly. “I’ll see you tomorrow for Christmas at Frankie’s.” She was happy her friend wouldn’t be spending the holidays in the hospital. “Bye, Trent.”
