Page 46 of A Match Made at Christmas

Hayes’s eyes darted to Howie’s, but he didn’t respond.

“Why didn’t you do anything about it back then?” Hayes asked, looking for insight into his own romantic quandary. “What kept you from taking the risk?”

Howie looked at him. “She was the most important person in the world to me, kid. But Peggy and I are very different. Believe it or not, she was the one who wanted to travel and see the world. I was hooked on Nantucket. I never in a million years thought we’d trade places.”

“But she loves it here,” Hayes said. “She’s practically the town historian. And adventure doesn’t really seem like her thing.

“Yeah, but, she had a different side to her back then. Peggy was always going to see the world. She had her passport and her big dream was to get as many stamps as she could.”

“Wow,” Hayes said. “What changed?”

“Her mom got sick, and she had to stay and take care of her. I think between that and, well, me—her spirit got crushed.” Howie’s face fell. “I guess she settled for safe after that.”

Nothing good ever came from playing it safe, did it?

“So, if you had it to do over . . . ?” Hayes asked.

“No question,” Howie said. “I would’ve wised up sooner and told her the truth—” He shrugged. “And maybe it would’ve crashed and burned. Maybe she would’ve turned me down. Flown off to Nigeria to build orphanages or something. Or maybe she would’ve loved me back. But the regret I’ve been living with—it’s so much worse than never knowing what could’ve been.”

Hayes chewed on that for a long moment before responding. “So, what now? Did you talk to her tonight?”

“Sadly, I think I waited too long, and I hurt her. I’m not sure she’s ever gonna be ready to let me back in her life. I’m afraid we missed our chance.” Howie sighed. “But you haven’t.”

Howie might talk like an old surfer, but he wasn’t an idiot. Hayes looked away.

“Come on, young buck,” Howie said. “I can see it all over your face—you’re a very conflicted man.”

“I wasn’t—until tonight.” Hayes’s mind still spun with thoughts of that kiss. He wasn’t sure what had come over him. He didn’t usually think of Pru that way—she’d placed him strictly in the friend zone, and he’d respected that for a long time. But in recent days—everything had changed. When the rest of the world made no sense, she did.

“Don’t make the same mistake I made,” Howie said. “Don’t wait.”

Hayes looked at him. If anyone understood what he was going through, it was Howie. He hadn’t followed his heart and look where it landed him—a world away from the woman he could’ve been loving his entire life. It was like life had laid out its very own cautionary tale right there in front of him. It didn’t take a genius to see it.

“Pru and I are—”

“Best friends,” Howie interrupted. “I know. Peggy was my best friend too, once upon a time.”

Hayes paused for a beat. “I should go. Order dinner. On me.”

“Nah, I think I’ll head out too.”

Hayes wasn’t a great comforter, that had always been Pru’s role. But now, looking at Howie, he could practically see the sadness radiating off of him.

“Maybe it’s not too late,” Hayes said. “Maybe she just needs to see that you’re willing to fight for her. Or that you regret it? I mean, if she’s worth it, you shouldn’t give up so easily, right?”

Howie emptied his bottle and set it down on the table. “You really think so?”

Hayes shrugged. “What’ve you got to lose?”

He waved a hand in the air. “I wouldn’t know where to start. I’m an old guy now, and I have no idea how to start dating again.”

“I’m sure you’ve still got some tricks up your sleeve,” Hayes said with a laugh. “Why don’t you start with an apology? Some flowers? A little bit of groveling? Women like to be wooed.”

Howie’s jaw twitched, and he appeared to be considering his options.

Hayes could see—feel—the older man’s insecurity. Didn’t that ever go away? But he understood—putting your heart on the line was no easy task no matter how old you were. “You know, you’ll both be at the preview party on Thursday. I’ve got an idea.”

“Yeah?”

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