Chapter 33
THIRTY-THREE
ZOE
The next morning, Zoe forced herself out of the apartment and down to the Spring Market. The air had a bit of a nip to it under the cloudless blue sky. It seemed fitting, seeing as Zoe felt numb inside. But she was going to change all that.
She hadn’t set up last week, and though she’d told herself it was fine to miss a Sunday, today felt different. She needed to show up. To prove to herself, more than anyone, that she wasn’t going to sit at home replaying every awful moment with Jackson.
Still, it felt strange. Wrong. She had never once avoided him in her entire life.
He was her oldest friend, the one constant through all her years in Maple Falls.
To sidestep him yesterday had left her off-balance, like she’d broken something fragile between them.
And until they talked, she knew that imbalance would permeate everything in her life.
But what would she say? She’d already confessed her feelings to him. She told him she’d wait for him, but that was before he’d hurt her. Before he made love to her only to pull away again. The way he told her that she’d never understand, without even letting her try. The sheer anger in his voice.
She tucked another wrapped bouquet into her display bucket.
She would have to live with things going back to the way they were before the fake dating began.
It would hurt—God, it would hurt—but surely it wasn’t impossible.
They would always be friends. She couldn’t imagine a world where Jackson wasn’t in her life at all.
“Zoe!”
She looked up to see Meg from the bookshop approaching her table, a canvas tote slung over one shoulder and her hair escaping from its bun in soft wisps.
“I was hoping you’d be here,” Meg said, slightly breathless. “I heard about you and Jackson searching for that Moonlight Kiss flower—what a romantic story! Anyway, I was down in the shop’s basement yesterday, sorting through a box of old Maple Falls history books, and I found this.”
She reached into her tote and pulled out a slim, weathered volume. The cover was cracked, the title stamped in fading gold leaf: Maple Falls: Myths, Legends, and Local Lore.
Zoe’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”
“Not at all,” Meg said, smiling. “There’s a section on the Moonlight Kiss. Thought it might help your search.”
Zoe accepted the book, her heart giving a small, grateful twist. “Meg, this is amazing. Thank you.”
“Happy to help,” Meg said with a wave. “Let me know how it goes!”
Zoe slipped the book into her bag, already planning to curl up with it later that night.
Cassidy’s chocolate stand was set up beside Zoe’s again, trays gleaming with glossy spring flavors: pale yellow lemon truffles, strawberry creams dipped in white chocolate, and her latest experiment: lavender-honey caramels wrapped in foil the color of tulips.
Zoe was grateful for the company, grateful no one here knew the truth except Krista.
Pretending was easier in the bustle of the market, with chatter rising around her and the smell of roasted nuts drifting from the cart by the gazebo.
It had rained through the night, and the grass underfoot was damp and bright; the puddles reflected like mirrors with the morning sun. The whole community park buzzed with its Sunday rhythm, steady and comforting.
Zoe was just about to ask Cassidy if she wanted to go hiking later. She wanted one more try at crossing the river when she froze.
Jackson was strolling down the sidewalk.
He had two to-go cups balanced in his hands. He nodded to Mr. Alders and Mrs. Humphrey, who was walking her schnauzer, Charles. The dog’s baby blue and pink polka-dot bowtie bounced as he trotted ahead. Zoe barely registered it. All she could see was Jackson.
Her heart hammered, eyes locked in place like a deer caught in headlights. Krista had run interference for her yesterday. There was no hiding now. Not with him looking right at her.
“Guess you picked someplace public so I can’t make a scene,” Zoe said lightly, too lightly, as he stepped closer.
Jackson held out a cup. His voice dropped low. “Do you want me to go? I’m not here to make you uncomfortable. I just… wanted to bring you a little something. A peace offering. I know it’s not nearly enough.”
“Jackson,” she started, her voice quiet but firm, “what you did Friday night—”
“I know,” he cut in. “It was inexcusable. You didn’t deserve me speaking to you like that.
You did nothing wrong. And I’m sorry. Really, deeply sorry.
Not just for lashing out, but for sleeping with you and then pushing you away again.
I let fear talk me out of something real—something I’ve wanted for a long time.
I thought I was protecting you, but all I did was hurt you and lose the best thing I’ve ever had. ”
Her throat tightened. “You think saying sorry fixes this?”
“No,” he said immediately, eyes dark and steady on hers.
“It doesn’t. But I’m not here to make excuses or pretend it’s that simple.
I’m here because I’m done hiding. I want us to be a couple, Zoe—for real this time.
Not pretending, not just for the town or your mom, not for anyone else. I’m ready to be with you.”
For a second, Zoe could only stare at him, her mind scrambling to catch up with what he’d just said.
She looked down at the cup, buying herself time.
Steam from the matcha latte curled up between them, soft and fragrant.
“You really hurt me, Jackson,” she said finally.
Her voice was low, trembling slightly. “And it’s not something I can just brush off because you brought me my favorite drink.
You said I could never understand you, you led me on and pushed me away again…
” She broke off, swallowing hard. “That stuck.”
“I was wrong,” he said simply. “You deserve someone who gives you everything. Who fights for you, instead of running away. And I want to be that man. If you’ll let me.”
Zoe folded her arms, pressing the warm cup against her ribs.
“You can’t just say you’re ready and expect me to jump back in.
I need time to process. To make sure this is what you really want, not just what feels good right now.
Because I can’t—” Her voice cracked, but she forced it steady.
“I can’t survive getting my hopes up again and having them smashed. ”
Jackson stepped closer, his voice soft but resolute. “Then take all the time you need. I’ll wait. And I’ll prove it to you, however long it takes.”
Before she could answer, a glossy black Rolls-Royce pulled into the parking lot, drawing every eye. Zoe froze. No. No, no, no. Not now. The car slid to a stop beside the gazebo, and a uniformed driver in a top hat stepped out to open the rear door.
“Get over here,” Zoe hissed between her teeth, fake-smiling and waving toward Eleanor Davenport.
“What?” He glanced over his shoulder, did a double-take.
“Eleanor Davenport is here. We still need to talk, but later. Right now smile, wave, and act like everything is normal.” Zoe glared at Jackson.
He came quickly around the other side of her booth.
“Put your arm around my waist,” she murmured. “Act happy.”
His movements felt awkward at first, but he slid a hand around her waist and even bent to kiss the top of her head.
“Surprise!” Eleanor sang as she approached.
An older gentleman walked with her, cane tapping lightly against the pavement.
It was hard to tell if he needed it or if it was simply for show.
“I was telling Mr. Davenport here how much I loved Maple Falls, and that he had to come experience it in the springtime. It really is beautiful, isn’t it? ”
“Oh, absolutely.” Zoe laughed. It sounded fake and hollow even to her ears. “You can sample a bit of everything at the Spring Market. Jackson’s family farm has a booth just a few stalls down.” She pointed to Liam, who was chatting easily to a group of tourists who had stopped by his table.
“As you can see, my brother knows his honey,” added Jackson. “He sells it in his farm shop.” Liam was holding up a jar and passing around samples.
Eleanor turned to her husband. “That was the clover honey you had with your scone at the Cinnamon Spice Inn the other morning. Delicious, wasn’t it?”
“I do love a good honey,” Mr. Davenport agreed, already drifting toward the other tables.
Zoe hoped that Eleanor would mosey on down with her husband. Her emotions felt brittle at best.
“And how are you two?” Eleanor’s gaze returned to them, sharp but smiling. Her eyes lingered on them longer than was comfortable. Her smile never wavered, but Zoe felt as if the woman could see straight through their act.
“Last time I was here,” Eleanor said—her tone held an edge—“I was struck by how aligned the two of you seemed. Today…” She inclined her head slightly. “Forgive me, but something feels a bit off. And when a project rests on partnership, that worries me.”
“What? Nah, no… we’re all good!” Zoe laughed. Her grip tightened on her latte cup until her knuckles ached.
Eleanor leaned in as if imparting a secret. “I’ve been married three times, dear. I know these things.”
She knows. She can tell. Oh God, don’t let her walk away now.
Jackson spoke up, his voice steady. “If anything’s off, it’s only because we’ve been working hard—between the shop, the farm, and now… the new discovery we’re chasing.”
Eleanor’s brows lifted. “Discovery?”
“A legendary local flower called the Moonlight Kiss. Nobody has seen it in years, but we’ve been trying to find it so we can bring it back as part of our project. Actually, I think I might have spotted something yesterday when I was out riding,” continued Jackson.
“You did? Where?” Zoe cut in, surprise and excitement in her voice.
“Up near the ridge past the old mill. There’s a spot where the river branches out, and it’s an easy cross. I think it might be the trail to that meadow. The place you spotted weeks ago.” His eyes locked on her.
A surprised gasp crossed her lips. “Are you serious?”
He nodded. “Didn’t go all the way in. I wanted to wait for you. Thought maybe we could go together.”
“If that isn’t the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” Eleanor said, pulling Zoe away from Jackson’s eyes.
“If we can find it, we’d like to try restoring it. We’ve been gathering clues on the kind of conditions it needs. Warmth, water nearby, soil taken from high-up places near the ridge. It would be a key feature of our Local Blooms project,” Zoe said, getting back down to business.
Eleanor clasped her hands together, eyes shining. “My goodness, that sounds like exactly the kind of community-driven nature story we’re hoping to highlight. You must keep me updated.”
“Of course,” Zoe said, a touch of genuine excitement creeping into her tone.
Eleanor’s gaze lingered on them, assessing but approving now. “Well then, I’m reassured. You two must be doing okay, if you’re working on this little mystery together.”
“We’re getting there,” Jackson said, eyes back on Zoe. “And we’re going to find it.”
Eleanor’s grin widened. “Good. Because partnerships worth keeping are rarely perfect—they just need two people willing to grow together. Perhaps this flower will be a sign that you two are heading in the right direction.”
Zoe nodded as Eleanor waved and walked away, and then she turned to Jackson, pulse still unsteady. “You realize we just promised her we’d find a mythical flower nobody has seen in years.”
He smiled. “Guess that means we have another Zoe and Jackson mission to go on.”
Zoe stared at him for a long moment, her heart doing that dangerous, hopeful thing again. “Together?”
He nodded. “Together.”