guilty for thinking about putting the shop on the market.”
And I did. But there was no other way.
“My family is coming out on Thanksgiving and then flying back to Phoenix. I think they just want another chance to say goodbye to everything this place represented.”
“Which is?”
“Freedom.” I didn’t bother explaining because I wasn’t sure I knew why.
Holly nodded sympathetically. “You have to do what’s right for you.”
“Thank you. I needed that.” I took another sip of the tea. “May I buy a little tin of this?”
Holly picked a sparkly green tin off the shelf and handed it to me. “It’s on the house.”
I shook my head. “No, I can’t.”
She grinned. “I insist. It’s a little Midwest welcome to the Northwest by way of Phoenix.”
I laughed. “Your mind sounds as loopy as mine.”
Holly grinned. “My brain tries to get me through the day, and that’s about all I can ask for at this point.”
“Well, thank you.” I smiled, putting it in my purse. “I should probably head over to the shop. December first, someone is going to show me the ropes of owning a candy store.”
Holly looked puzzled. “I thought you were selling.”
I chuckled and let out a sigh. “Long story.”
“Hopefully, someday soon, you’ll fill me in.” Holly smiled. “I’d love to have a girls’ lunch or dinner before my big day.”
My heart swelled. Within minutes of landing on the island, some kind soul was already inviting me out for a friendly chat. I definitely needed this.
“I just might take you up on that.” I hopped off the stool and smiled, giving a little wave in Holly’s direction, but she’d already headed to the back room.
The moment I opened the door, a gust of frigid air blew me right back into reality. I was certainly not in Phoenix any longer.
I glanced at my rental car longingly and then down the street toward the candy shop.
No, I could totally manage to walk to the store in the wind. It would be ridiculous to hop in the car to drive a few more spaces down.
But by the time I made it to my aunt’s shop, I’d turned into an icicle.
I shakily pulled the keys out of my purse and tried unlocking the door.
“Ugh. So annoying,” I muttered to myself as the keys dropped to the sidewalk. “Just what I need. Now, I’ll probably lose the keys down some sewer grate while I twist and break my ankle on the way to my rental car, which won’t start because the battery will suddenly be dead. Then I’ll just freeze to death on the sidewalk, and I’ll miss turkey dinner in a few days.”
A man cleared his throat from behind, and I shot up with the keys in hand.
“Bad day at the office, Mrs…?” His velvety voice brushed along every cell in my body, and it suddenly felt like I was in the middle of a sauna.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and spun around to see the sexiest man alive holding a bunch of pink balloons in one hand and a glittery silver box in the other.
I scowled in his direction, and his upper lip twitched slightly as our eyes locked.
Beads of sweat surfaced on the back of my neck as he continued to look at me.
How was he doing this to me?
As I stared at the man completely speechless, I couldn’t figure out why he looked somewhat familiar. Or maybe it was because there was something warm and inviting and just so friendly about the hazel eyes watching me.
Everyone was just too friendly here.
That was the problem.
“I’m not a Mrs.,” I blurted out. “Um. I mean, no. But...” I shook my head, trying to ignore how good-looking the man in front of me was. “Yes, I mean I—” I frowned at the guy when I noticed his lip twitches had turned into a full-blown grin. “I’m just cold. What was the question?”
He adjusted his balloons and package and gave a half nod mixed with a devilish smirk.
I glared in return as my eyes narrowed on him. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
God’s gift to women rocked on his heels, pulled out his phone, and nodded. “Actually, I do. I’m about to be late for a very important shower.”
My brows furrowed as I turned around and attempted to unlock the door again. “A shower? Aren’t those for women?”
“Wow. That’s not very progressive.” He laughed. “Don’t you know? It’s all the rage to have coed showers.”
I caught a twinkle in his eyes and