Chapter 11
Mallory
My phone buzzes and I pull it out of my pocket.
My current singles cocktail hour is more of a snoozefest. We’re at the fancy steakhouse in town and the low number of people does not bode well for the evening.
It’s only an hour in and I’ve checked my phone three times.
I saw the email with dates and basic information came in from Tiffany.
And I already sent some options back. Job hunting at cocktail night is a new low for my love life.
It seems that most people I met over the weekend have sort of coupled themselves up. I guess spending Valentine’s Day alone after an entire festival dedicated to love is too much for some people. It’s sad. But what’s new?
I may be ready for a relationship but I’m not ready to push my career to the side.
Jake: Hey Mal, if you don’t have afternoon plans tomorrow, I’d like to meet up.
Mallory: Nothing until the party in the evening. What time and where?
I swear if he said his bed and any time, I would agree. I think about our brief night together and a delightful shiver goes down my spine.
Jake: Flower shop at the end of Main Street, noon.
Mallory: Ominous, but I suppose I know you’re not a serial killer.
Jake: I believe you mentioned having some brownie points with a guy who knows a bunch of pastry chefs…
Mallory: Are they making mille-feuille with maple syrup?!
Jake: You’ll have to wait until tomorrow. Let the anticipation build. It’s good for your sweet tooth.
I type out “You’re good for my sweet tooth” and promptly delete it all.
Mallory: It’s a date then.
Short and simple. Unlike me and my current dating life, which is short and somehow way too complicated. I scan the room one more time and decide to head back to my hotel. Curiosity nestles in my stomach and I feel like I have a swarm of butterflies flitting about.
It takes a hot shower and two cups of peppermint tea made in my room to calm my thoughts about tomorrow.
It’s the big finale for the Heart-to-Heart Festival – Valentine’s Day.
And I need to meet Jake at the flower shop at noon.
I dress warmly, but in the spirit of the day, I opt for an oversized red knit sweater that has neon pink hearts woven in the pattern.
I add a little makeup, including my favorite crimson lipstick.
I’m not entirely sure of what Jake has planned, but the weather is going to be above freezing, so I wear black jeans and cute boots that can survive snow.
I add all my typical winter gear and I’m out the door. But first, a stop at Spice Spice Baby Bakery.
Just to see if Jake is a tease or perhaps there is a special sweet in their display case. I scan the cases in the front window and don’t see any maple mille-feuille so I head inside. The pleasant aroma of spices and sugar fill my senses.
I’m going to miss this place.
And the little family I’ve grown to care for in such a short time span.
I spy Dylan had at work piping one of those elaborately decorated heart shaped cakes with cherries on top.
He waves at me when he notices me, but then gets back in the zone with his task.
I haven’t met many of the other guys here at the bakery, but like the rest of this town, each one I meet is kind.
I head to the counter and inquire about any maple desserts.
I’m told there were some made for the special events, but none for the bakery to have on hand.
My shoulders slump. I know he didn’t promise anything, but I was excited to get one of my favorite desserts while here.
Everything else at the bakery has been a ten out of ten for taste, I was hoping to possibly have the best slice of my life.
I order a chai latte and a ham and cheese croissant then take a seat.
I end up chatting with a fellow festival attendee.
She had a much different experience than me.
She drove from Oregon to give it a shot.
Said if anything it was just practice for the future.
However, she actually ran into a childhood friend that they had lost touch with over the years.
Now they’re making plans for what happens next.
I didn’t have nearly as great a response and excused myself to go meet Jake.
What happens next?
Short term is that I finish my vacation in Montana and head home.
Then take the interview in California. Nothing is set in stone at the moment, so I need to take it one day at a time.
I’m deep in thought as I brave the frosty air to meet Jake.
I approach the flower shop and see the cascading colors barely containing themselves inside.
It looks like a greenhouse there are so many gorgeous flowers on display.
“Mallory,” Jake’s voice affects me so much more than I’d like it to.
“Good afternoon,” I turn to face him and struggle to keep my voice monotone, to hide how excited I am at seeing him. But those emerald eyes and goofy grin tug at my heart.
“Ready to go?” his voice low and smooth as he takes my hand in his. He squeezes it gently and then tugs me down the street.
“What exactly are we doing?” I ask. I’m uncertain of what’s going on but I don’t want to let go of his hand. I want to relish in his touch for a moment more.
“I’m going to show you Valentine.” He gestures to the rest of Main Street with a flourish that has me chuckling.
“I’ve seen Valentine, all of it. I’ve been here a week you know,” I poke his bicep and he feigns an injury.
“Well, let me try to sell you on it then,” his voice wavers at the end. We stop walking and I face him. He appears determined to give me a tour.
“Alright then Jake,” I squeeze his hand back, “show me Valentine.”
His eyes light up as he starts to talk about each business on Main Street. He gave me the lowdown on who runs it, what they sell, and how they came to town. All the bits that were not included in my day-to-day walks around town or at any of the singles festival events.
“How do you know all this?” I ask after we’ve made our way down the short stretch of road.
“I’m the delivery guy for the bakery. I’m always on the move. I probably know almost every person in town by now. I love listening to everyone’s stories. It’s fascinating how even though the circumstances were all different, we all ended up here in Valentine.”
“I’m sorry I left so abruptly,” I blurt.
“It’s been weighing on my mind. I didn’t want you to think that I only slept with you because we agreed to have some fun.
But I heard you say you were falling for me and, I guess,” I let go of his hand, “I got scared. I figured I’d have a clean break and I could forget about my feelings for you.
” I fidget with the buttons on my peacoat.
“You don’t have to apologize for anything Mallory,” he tucks a flyaway strand of my hair behind my ear and cups my face. “I have one more thing to show you,” he takes my hand once more.
We walk a little bit more and reach another brick building, a small row of businesses. He stops us at the one with a For Sale sign in the front. He lets go of my hand, takes out a set of keys, and opens the door.
“Now, Dylan did his best, but neither of us design clothing, so I wasn’t quite sure about what you’d need to picture it,” I walk in behind him and can barely make out his words, my brain racing with the onslaught of thoughts.
“Wow,” I whisper as I take in the retail space.
It’s a long, open space with the large windows at front providing a decent amount of natural light.
One wall is brick while the others are a grey, almost lavender color.
There is a big desk set up, an easel with a table next to it, and a giant teddy bear nearby.
I point to it and Jake adds, “we couldn’t find a mannequin.” He lets me wander around the space. I’m getting dizzy from thinking about all the possibilities. Of the business I could build, the one I’ve always wanted to run and operate from the ground up.
“This is a lot Jake,” I murmur.
“I know, and there’s an apartment upstairs. It’s basic but it’s a newer renovation so everything works and you’d be allowed to paint and decorate to your heart’s content.”
“An apartment?” I parrot the words back.
“I know your career is important to you. I heard you mention a possible job in California,” he runs his fingers through his hair, “and thought if you were willing to move for the right job, then there was a small chance you’d consider Montana.”
“I didn’t take the job yet,” I say as he nods along, “and I have a life in Canada. I have friends and an apartment.”
All valid points.
Except a part of my heart will be here in Montana. With Jake and Charlotte and the thought of what could’ve been.
“I know. I just couldn’t let you leave without putting all my cards on the table,” he takes both my hands in his, “I’m falling in love with you Mallory Morin.
You’re funny, kind, beautiful, and I can’t stop thinking about us together.
How much I loved cooking for you, seeing you in my clothes, sleeping in my bed.
I want you in my life. And if you say no, then we’ll end things as is, a clean cut.
But,” my pulse quickens with each sentence.
“I don’t want to leave.”
“Mallory,” I put my hand on his chest to stop him.
“I’ve never felt this type of connection with someone before. And while I love my career and it’s all I’ve really focused on for a decade, I can’t imagine the next decade without you there. I’m all in if you are.”
He cups my face and kisses me softly, purposefully, and I melt against him.
“I love you Mallory Morin,” he murmurs before he kisses me a final time.
“I love you too,” I rest my head on his chest for a moment, “even if I didn’t get enough brownie points for my maple dessert.” His chest reverberates with laughter.
“It was going to be a grand gesture, a sweet surprise,” he groans.
“I’m kidding,” I chuckle as I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him.
“Such a tease,” he returns the embrace.
“What happens next?” My cheeks start to hurt from the large grin plastered on my face.
“We go celebrate, we tell Charlotte there will be many girls’ days in the future, and I’ll take you to the Valentine’s Day ball tonight. You’ll sleep over at my place and then we’ll figure out all the details tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” I ask.
“Yeah, we have forever now.” He scoffs like it’s nothing new, nothing life-changing.
My heart flutters at his words and I know that I’m making the right choice. It’s time to give love a shot. I’ll still chase my dreams of being a designer, but if a loving relationship slows me down a little, well then, the journey of getting there will be just a little sweeter.