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So, I’d taken control of the conversation. I told him we didn’t make sense on any level except physically. That was an assumption on my part after what he’d said, but then he’d admitted he felt the same.
We were too different. I shouldn’t want anything to do with him. Especially after I walked into that conversation between Ryan and him.
I knew I wasn’t his type, so I wasn’t sure why it hurt so much when he’d admitted it. The only conclusion I’d come to was that rejection hurt, even if it was from someone you didn’t like.
My feelings were normal.
I’d get over it.
In about a thousand years.
The sting of rejection lingered in my consciousness. I couldn’t seem to shake it.
I focused on my business and launched the subscription service with an ambitious marketing campaign.
I’d immediately gotten a few sign-ups, which encouraged me to keep doing it. I even posted flyers around town, directing everyone to my website.
When the shop closed for the day, I met with Zoe and Max at my house to tour the barn and property. Zoe insisted she wanted to view everything before she made her decision on a venue, but I didn’t hold out much hope. Once she saw the state of the barn, there was no way she’d want to hold her wedding reception in it. There was a possibility she’d like the outside area, and we could always set up a dance floor and tents.
Arriving home, I opened the doors to the musty space. I’d been reluctant to move my grandparents’ things, but if Zoe wanted to get married here, I’d have no choice but to do what I’d been putting off.
Immediately after the will had been read to me, I’d dove into moving towns, finding a space for the shop, and opening the business. I hadn’t changed many things in the house itself except for the master bedroom and bath. My grandmother had long since moved to the first-floor bedroom.
The biggest obstacle in the barn was my grandfather’s prized vehicle he’d kept. Since he died, a tarp covered it. My grandmother couldn’t bear to look at it, and I didn’t know if it was worth anything if I sold it.
Maybe Jake could help me get rid of it. Sell it if it was worth something. But I needed to get it out of the barn if I had any hope of hosting events here.
“Oh my gosh. This is perfect.” Zoe’s voice carried to me from the open doors.
Dust hung in the air, visible from the sun that came through the paned windows. Boxes were stacked along the walls. Gardening tools were confined to a back corner.
Zoe held a hand to her chest as she slowly walked the space. “I can see the round tables here.” She pointed to the middle of the room. “And a floor for dancing here. The table for the cake. There are so many options.”
I could see the dust and grime of the barn cleaned out, leaving sparkling wood floors, twinkly lights, chandeliers, and flowers hanging from the rafters.
“You’d be my first event. It will need some work to clear everything out. To get it wedding ready.” I wasn’t sure spring was enough time to meet Gia’s exacting standards.
“I think it’s worth the wait. Don’t you, Max?” Zoe turned to face him.
Max moved from his spot in the open doorway and crossed the space to tug her into his side. They looked at each other with so much love, I had to look away.
I didn’t want to intrude on their intimate moment.
“If you think it will work,” Max said softly.
“I know you wanted to hold the reception at the bar, but that’s where we always meet for parties and the Shops on Main meetings. I want something different. And no one’s ever held a wedding here. We’d be the first.” Zoe’s voice strengthened with each word.
“Would you want to be married inside or out?” I asked her, drawing on the way I’d seen Gia talk to prospective wedding clients.
“Are you planning on adding more flowers outside?” Zoe asked as she wandered outside the barn.
“That’s the plan, but I’ll need to start planting soon.” I led the way to the flat area in front of the pond.
“Can you show me what you’re thinking?” Zoe asked as we stood in the middle of the space.
“The tree-lined area from the house to this wide space will be the perfect spot for the aisle. We could do a red carpet or go natural with rose petals lining the way.”
“I’d love something natural. Maybe even some twigs as a border.”
