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Tessa tapped a finger to her chin as she pretended to think about it. “Well, for starters, grumpy men who can admit when they were wrong.” Her thoughtful expression broke into a broad grin.
And she realized it was true. The city lights had never really held any allure for her. She would much rather put down roots in a town that cared for their own. The unfeeling city had chewed her up and spit her out. This town had gathered the pieces of her shattered heart and glued them back together. That was the kind of dynamic she wanted.
Tessa also realized that Daniel was what she had been searching for. Home was more than just a place, after all. It was the people who loved you. And Tessa felt so incredibly loved by this grumpy, silly man. Feeling warmth spread from her head to her toes, Tessa leaned in and whispered to him.
“So… what’s in the box? Tell me it’s not Gwyneth Paltrow’s head,” she quipped.
Seeming to remember the package in his hands, Daniel handed it to her. “I wanted to show you something. Lily told me no grand gesture was complete without a gift.” He winked at Lily, who was watching from a few feet away, her eyes dazzling with the spectacle of it all.
Tessa gingerly undid the bow and lifted the lid of the box. She gasped, and tears leapt to her eyes. It was the most thoughtful thing she had probably ever received. Daniel’s finished manuscript sat in the box among the tissue paper, and the first page—the first page was a dedication.
“To Tessa, the woman who blew away all my ideas of how the world should work and gave me something so, so much better.” Daniel recited the words from memory as Tessa read them.
Now, the tears were flowing freely. “Daniel… I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll stay. Say you will give this—us—another chance.”
Tessa looked back at the manuscript in the box. “You’ll have to start stocking more vampire books in the shop.”
Daniel laughed, but his expression was hopeful. “So, does that mean…”
A laugh bubbled out of her, tinged with a sob of joy. “Yes, you idiot. I’m staying.”
Daniel took her into his arms, then. His expression was one of adoration and gratitude. When he leaned in for a kiss, Tessa met his lips with hers. The kiss was unlike any they had shared before. There was the old adage about seeing stars, but in that gentle yet passionate kiss, Tessa saw the entire galaxy.
And it was all hers.
When Daniel pulled away, he threw a fist in the air in victory. “She’s staying!”
The crowd gathered in the square, erupted in celebration. People that Tessa both knew well and hardly knew cheered and hugged one another at the news. It was truly remarkable—the mark she had left on this town and the mark it had left on her in return. She was… home. Strange how that one word held so much weight for her.
As Daniel gathered her in his arms, squeezing her tightly to him, she melted into the hug. So this wasn’t like every romantic comedy she had ever read, but it was better. Because this was real life—herlife. And she had the happily ever she had always dreamed of.
“I, uh, I need to make a call.” Tessa met Daniel’s eyes and smiled softly. “And then I’m all yours.”
“Don’t be too long,” Daniel said huskily, his voice touched with desire. “I want to spoil the hell out of you today.”
“You do know how to charm a girl,” Tessa teased. “I’ll just be a moment.”
As she stepped away from Daniel and the well-wishers, her pulse accelerated slightly. It had been an age since Tessa had needed to turn down a job. And she knew that this opportunity would not come around again. Some things, though, were worth the sacrifice.
She listened to the dial tone as she waited for Debra to pick up. It was early, but she hoped that she could put this behind her before joining the festivities.
“Tessa! Hi! Are you on the road? We were just discussing your first day and—”
“Hi, Debra,” Tessa cut in. If she let that woman talk longer, she could be here all day. “I just wanted to let you know that, well, things have changed. I appreciate the offer. It was very generous. But I have… other opportunities that I think are worth exploring at this time.”
Debra didn’t even try to hide her disappointment. ‘Tessa, this job was practically made for you. Are you sure there is nothing I can do to change your mind?”
Tessa smiled to herself. “No, I don’t think so. I just can’t see myself leaving home.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
Tessasmiledassheplaced an electric candle in the final Jack O’ Lantern. That Harvest Festival planning had been stressful this year. Much more so than last year, as she had found herself wrangled into being on the planning committee with Lily. That woman was fierce when it came to delegating. Tessa felt like she hadn’t had a chance to breathe in over a month.
Still, she was a good kind of tired. Every bit of effort that she had put into the festivities was well worth it. The excitement she felt from the other townsfolk was contagious, and she looked forward to the big event tonight—her second one ever.
