18. Chapter 18
Chapter eighteen
Devon
M y eyes snapped open, my heart already racing. I groaned and rolled over, burying my face in the pillow. Today was the day. The interview. It had been two days, and Bella hadn’t responded to my messages. This was the last chance to win her back.
Bella. Her name sent a jolt through me. Her laugh, her smile, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she was truly happy. God, I missed that.
I forced myself to sit up, running a hand through my messy hair. “Get it together, Montgomery.”
The knot in my stomach tightened as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. What if she didn’t forgive me? What if I’d screwed everything up for good this time?
No. I couldn’t think like that. I had to make this right.
I stood and walked to the window, pushing the curtains aside. Serenity Falls lay blanketed in fresh snow, pristine and peaceful. For a moment, I let myself imagine Bella and me building a life here together, running the guesthouse, and maybe starting a family someday.
The image was so vivid it made my chest ache. I shook my head, trying to clear it. Just make it to the interview. And hope that Bella would give me a chance to explain.
I headed for the shower, letting the steam fill the bathroom. As hot water pounded my tense muscles, I tried to calm my racing thoughts. I had to be spot on. Because losing Bella again? That wasn’t an option. Not this time.
I had just stepped out of the shower and hastily thrown on my jeans and sweater when I heard the doorbell ring. I ran a hand through my damp hair as I hurried to the front door.
Mrs. Hawthorne bustled in before I could even open the door fully, a tray of cinnamon rolls balancing precariously in her arms. The scent of warm sugar and spice filled the air.
“Devon, dear! I don’t approve of what you did...” She paused, eyeing me critically. “But I’m a firm believer in second chances. I know you’ll make things right.”
I forced a smile, accepting the tray. “Thanks, Mrs. H.”
She immediately busied herself with straightening the already tidy living room. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just a little something to sweeten the day.” She winked. “Speaking of sweet, when is Bella arriving?”
I mumbled a vague response, fidgeting with a throw pillow.
Another knock and Mayor Todd burst in, a whirlwind of festive cheer. He was wearing the most outlandish suit—red and green pinstripes that made my eyes water. A Christmas tree pin with little pickles hung on his lapel, and his Santa hat sat askew on his head, somehow making the ensemble look even more ridiculous.
He clapped me on the back, nearly knocking me over. “Ho ho ho! Big day, huh? Don’t worry, you’ve got this! The whole town’s rooting for you two lovebirds.”
My stomach churned. If only they knew how precarious things really were.
The mayor leaned in, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Just remember son, if this doesn’t work out, you’ll be the talk of Serenity Falls for years to come. Nothing like a public rejection to really get the gossip mill going, eh?”
I felt my face heat up, shifting uncomfortably. The mayor’s attempt at humor only amplified the knot of anxiety in my gut.
I felt like the walls of the guesthouse were closing in on me when Liam sauntered in, his snowboard slung over one shoulder. “Oi, mate! Ready for your close-up?”
I shot him a grateful look. “Never been readier. What’s with the board?”
He grinned, leaning the board against the wall. “Thought I’d stick around for a few days. You need a wingman for this kind of thing.”
Relief washed over me. I didn’t realize how much I needed his support until that very moment. It made everything feel a little less overwhelming. “Thanks, man,” I said quietly. “I mean it.”
Liam’s expression softened. “That’s what mates are for. Now, let’s get you camera-ready before Bella shows up and knocks your socks off.”
The guesthouse living room buzzed with activity as the camera crew swarmed in, their equipment transforming the cozy space into a makeshift studio. I watched, frozen in place, as they set up lights and positioned microphones. Each new piece of gear felt like another weight on my shoulders.
A woman with a clipboard gestured to a spot by the fireplace. “Alright, Mr. Montgomery, we’ll need you to stand over here for the establishing shot.”
I nodded, my throat suddenly dry. This was real. This was happening.
Liam nudged me gently. “You look like you’re about to face a firing squad, not declare your undying love.”
I let out a shaky laugh, running a hand through my hair. “Is it that obvious?”
He raised an eyebrow, his expression saying it all. “Only to everyone with eyes, mate.”
Before I could respond, the front door burst open. Sophie Martinez, Bella’s blog manager and best friend, practically bounced through the doorway. She juggled a large poinsettia in one arm and a gift bag in the other, her ever-present camera dangling from her neck.
She set the poinsettia on a nearby table, eyes darting around the room. “Devon! Thank goodness you’re here. Please tell me Bella hasn’t arrived yet. I wanted to surprise her, but traffic was a nightmare.”
I shook my head, relief flooding through me at her presence.
Sophie’s eyes widened as she took in the transformed space. “Wow, Bella really outdid herself. This place looks amazing.” Her gaze landed on the Christmas tree, and a grin spread across her face. “Oh, and there’s the angel! I can’t believe you actually managed to restore it without stabbing yourself.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, uncomfortable with the reminder of my fumbling DIY attempts. “Yeah, well, I had good guidance. Listen, Sophie, about Bella—“
She held up a hand, her expression softening. “I know. And for what it’s worth, I’m rooting for you two.”
I blinked, surprised by her candor. “Really?”
Sophie’s gaze met mine, understanding flickering in her eyes. “Really. Just... don’t mess it up this time, okay?”
I swallowed hard, nodding. “I won’t. I can’t.”
She studied me for a moment longer, then broke into a grin. “Good. Now, I’m going to set up my camera. I want to capture Bella’s reaction when she sees the angel. You nervous?”
I let out a shaky breath. “Terrified, actually.”
Sophie patted my arm reassuringly. “You’ll do fine. Just be honest. That’s all Bella really wants, you know.”
Her words hit home, reminding me of how badly I’d messed up by not being honest in the first place. “Thanks, Sophie. I’ll remember that."
I glanced at the clock, watching the minutes tick away. I couldn’t shake the gnawing fear in my gut. Everything was riding on today—not just my relationship with Bella but the future of the guesthouse, my place in Serenity Falls. In a few minutes, I’d know if I still had a shot at the life I never knew I wanted until Bella came crashing back into it.
God, I hoped I hadn’t screwed it all up beyond repair.
The crunch of gravel outside sent my heart rate skyrocketing. I whipped my head around, catching sight of Bella’s little hatchback pulling up the driveway. My breath caught in my throat, and suddenly, I wasn’t sure I remembered how to breathe.
“She’s here,” I croaked out, my voice sounding foreign to my ears.
Sophie squeezed my arm. “Breathe, Devon. You’ve got this.”
But as Bella stepped out of her car, all the oxygen seemed to vanish from the universe. She looked... breathtaking. Her auburn hair caught the winter sunlight, creating a halo effect that made my knees weak. She wore an emerald sweater that made her eyes pop, even from this distance.
The camera crew swarmed around her like bees to honey, their equipment whirring to life. But I couldn’t focus on them. All I could see was Bella, the way her lips parted slightly as she took in the scene before her. Her gaze traveled up, up, up, until it locked on the restored Santa sleigh perched proudly on the roof. Bella stood frozen, her eyes wide as saucers. Then she looked in my direction. Our eyes met across the driveway.
Bella took a hesitant step forward. My heart hammered against my ribs as I closed the distance between us, each step feeling like I was walking on eggshells. Bella’s voice was shaky and I could see the tears she was holding back. “Devon.”
“I should have told you sooner,” I began, my voice rough with emotion. My hands itched to reach for hers, but I resisted, shoving them into my pockets instead. “After we went bowling... I pulled the guesthouse from the market. I didn’t want to sell it anymore.”
Bella’s eyebrows shot up, her lips parting in a small ‘o’ of surprise. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but I plowed on, afraid I’d lose my nerve if I stopped.
“I should have told you the truth about why I agreed to help with the blog in the first place. It was about the sale and my image...” I swallowed hard, realizing how selfish and hurtful my actions had truly been. “But Bella, it changed. You changed everything.”
Her expression wavered, a mix of emotions I couldn't quite decipher. She bit her lower lip, a telltale sign she was processing. The urge to wrap her in my arms was almost overwhelming, but I held back, giving her space to absorb my words.
“I’m staying here,” I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. “For good. That’s what I met Coach Eddie about. I want to make this place into something again. And maybe start a small ski school, do some coaching.” I took a deep breath, rambling on. “And I want you to be part of that. I’m sorry for how it started, but this... us... it’s real. I know it is.”
Bella’s bright green eyes glistened, and tears welled up, threatening to spill over. She blinked rapidly and dropped her gaze to the ground. The seconds stretched into an eternity. I clenched and unclenched my fists at my sides, willing myself to stop talking, to give her the time she needed.
She lifted her gaze to meet mine. “I need time to think, Devon,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper and cracking slightly on my name. She wrapped her arms around herself like a shield. “I just... let me get through the interview first. Then we can talk.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. I wanted to argue, pour out every feeling I’d ever had for her, and make her see how right we could be together. But I bit my tongue, forcing myself to respect her request.
“Okay,” I managed, my own voice rough with emotion. “I understand.”
Bella’s eyes flickered with something—regret? Sadness? I couldn’t be sure. Before I could decipher it, the moment shattered as the camera crew descended, their equipment creating a physical barrier between us.
One of them ushered Bella towards the guesthouse. “Ms. Sterling, we’re ready for you inside.”
As I watched Bella turn away, heading towards the guesthouse with the camera crew following, I felt like I was losing her all over again. My gaze drifted up to the Santa sleigh on the roof, a symbol of everything I was trying to rebuild—my past, my future, and hopefully, us.
As Bella disappeared inside, I muttered to myself, “Well, Montgomery, you’ve really done it this time.” The sarcasm in my voice couldn’t quite mask the pain underneath. I ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the ends in frustration.
I paced back and forth, trying to decide if I should follow. Mortified that this had all been caught on camera.
“You look like you’re about to wear a trench in that snow,” Liam’s voice cut through my thoughts.
I glanced up, seeing my friend leaning against the porch railing, a steaming mug in his hand.
“Yeah, well, I feel like I’m about to jump out of my skin,” I grumbled.
Liam chuckled, holding out the mug. “Here. Mrs. Hawthorne’s special brew. It might help take the edge off.”
I accepted the offering, the warmth seeping into my cold fingers. “Thanks,” I muttered, taking a sip. The rich, spiced cocoa hit my tongue, a comforting taste of childhood winters.
“So,” Liam began, his tone cautious. “How’d it go?”
I let out a long breath, watching it mist in the air. “She needs time to think.”
“That’s not a ‘no,’” Liam pointed out.
“It’s not a ‘yes’ either,” I countered, my voice rough with emotion.
Liam nodded, his expression thoughtful. “True. But Devon, buddy, you’ve got to cut yourself some slack. You pulled off a miracle with this place.” He gestured to the guesthouse. “And that sleigh? Man, I still can’t believe you managed to restore that thing.”
I looked up at the Santa sleigh, its red paint gleaming against the crisp blue sky. “Yeah, well, I had a good reason,” I said softly, thinking of Bella’s face when she first saw it.
“Look,” Liam continued, “I know you, Devon. You don’t do anything halfway. Everything you’ve done here, it’s been for her. She’ll see that.”
I wanted to believe him, but doubt gnawed at me. “What if it’s not enough?” I asked, voicing my deepest fear.
Liam clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Then at least you’ll know you gave it everything you had. No regrets, right?”
I nodded, his words sinking in. No regrets. That’s what this was all about, wasn’t it? No more running, no more hiding behind my walls. I’d laid it all out there for Bella to see. Now, all I could do was wait and hope that she would.