Page 5 of Choosing You

“As opposed to all the other times when you…you know…had a plan?”

Will rolled his eyes dramatically. “Those weren’t very well thought out. This time I’ll make sure that I have a backup at the kissing booth, so as soon as she goes to walk away, I can quickly step out and go after her!”

“Will,” Devin began calmly, “that’s what you said two years ago at the Christmas festival. And what happened?”

“I spilled hot chocolate on myself and burned my arm.”

“And at the Valentine’s Day right after that?”

“I knocked over the candy heart display.”

“And do I even need to remind you about what happened on the Fourth of July?”

“Did we really need that many fireworks?” he asked incredulously. “Everyone seemed fine with the sparklers that were left. It wasn’t a big deal!”

“Do you hear yourself? And for the record, itwasa big deal. People enjoy the fireworks show and thanks to you that year, we only had enough fireworks for a five-minute show!”

“Why was there a drink stand so close to the supply of fireworks? Maybe that’s the real question here!”

Laughing, Devin patted him on the back and turned to walk away. “I don’t think this town can handle another one of your plans, Will. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Oh yeah? Well, not all of my plans fail. Remember my plan that helped you and MacKenzie get back together? That one worked spectacularly! I got the whole town involved!”

Devin turned back and smiled. “You’re right. It did, and it was spectacular. And I believe we’ve thanked you for that numerous times.”

Will nodded and smiled back. “Yes, you did. But that just shows that my plans can work.”

“One time out of twenty doesn’t really support that statement.”

“It wasn’t twenty times…”

Devin leveled him with a stare. “Really?”

“Okay, how about this—if my plan fails this time, then I’m done. I’ll give up on her. Hell, I’ll give up volunteering in the kissing booth for all Sweetbriar Ridge festivals forever. How’s that?”

“A little extreme.”

Will’s shoulders sagged. “So what am I supposed to do? How can a woman come to town for all these events when she clearly doesn’t know anyone? And nobody even sees her!”

“Will, people have seen her…”

“But they don’tknowher. And I’m back to square one.”

They stood there in silence for a moment until Devin finally said, “Then I guess you better get planning.”

“That’s the plan,” he said confidently. “But first, I need to finish the tune-up on Mrs. Francie’s Tucson.”

“Then I need you to see if you can find the oil leak on Cheryl Marshall’s Corolla. She and her husband are planning a trip to Virginia Beach this weekend and are in a bit of a hurry.”

“I’m on it!” And for the next four hours, Will took care of both cars. Unfortunately, Cheryl’s car needed a new valve cover gasket and it probably wouldn’t be in until late tomorrow afternoon because he was going to have to order it. Walking into Devin’s office, he found MacKenzie—Devin’s wife—typing furiously on her laptop. “Everything okay, Mac?”

She barely glanced up at him. “One of our suppliers raised their prices,” she said through clenched teeth as she continued to type.

“O-kay…but…isn’t that normal?” It didn’t seem to be anything rage-inducing, but what did he know?

Pausing, she looked up at him. “They doubled their prices, Will, and that’s not cool.” Closing her eyes, she let out a long breath before addressing him again. “So, what can I do for you?”

“I need to order a valve cover gasket for a 2018 Toyota Corolla.” Nodding to the garage bay, he explained, “It’s Cheryl Marshall’s and she and her husband were hoping to go to Virginia Beach this weekend so they’re in a bit of a rush for it.”

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