Page 136 of All We Need

I cross my arms. “WasGalentine’sdinner just a ploy to lure me here?”

She huffs. “It’sa real thing.Andwe’ve genuinely loved having you here.”Herhead tilts and eyes narrow. “Boothis like a little brother to me, and for as long asI’veknown him, being a chef was all he spoke about.WhenIreturned to town,Iwas shocked to find he was still working here, becauseI’dalways envisioned him in some high-end restaurant in the city.”

Face like granite,Idon’t react, not wanting to betrayBooth’strust.

“His siblings have seen it.I’veseen it.Evenhis mom.It’sonly him who hasn’t.”

“See what?”

She smiles sadly, her words heavy. “Hedoesn’t belong here.He’strying so hard to be what he thinks we all want him to be, he’s forgotten about his dreams.”Hereyes drop, hands twisting. “Griefcan be manipulative like that, but if his dad was here today, he’d be so disappointedBoothgave up.”

“Have you ever told him this?”

She sighs. “Patricktried the other week, but he shot him down.”

Exhaustion hits me like a freight train andIrub at my temple.

“I’m sorry.Thiswas unfair.It’sjust you’re close with him, and we all want him to be happy with his decisions.”Suddenly,I’mpulled into a tight embrace. “Iwant you to be happy, too, but if this is what you both need, thenI’dlike it if we stayed in touch after you leave.Notjust as colleagues, but friends?”

I hesitate for two seconds beforeIloop my arms around her. “I’llhold you to that.”

AfterJoleaves, sleep is impossible.Amyriad of thoughts attacks my brain from all angles.

I’ll miss these women—my friends.

I’ll miss the unspoiled winters.

I’ll miss sparring with the local chef.

I’ll miss plastic red roses.

I’ll miss his dimples.

I’ll miss him.

KissingBooth.

I stare at the hand-painted red sign hanging above an unattended wooden stand.

Voices and laughter fill the town hall as families and couples zip back and forth between the different vendors.Handmadesoaps.Localbeers.Soywax candles.Pinthe wings on the cupid.Facepainting.Thesmall parking lot even has a miniature fairground for the kids.

“Does this town throw a fair for every occasion?”IaskQuinn.

Her stall is situated opposite theKissingBoothand my tummy rumbles at the delectable cakes lining her table.

Laughing, she dusts icing sugar from her sleeves. “I’mafraid so.They’vegone all out this year to make up for theWinterFairbeing canceled due to the storm.”Sheeyes the gaudy pink and red love-heart decorations overhead. “It’sso cute.”

“You andIhave very different tastes.”

She giggles before her eyes flare at something behind me. “Well, not all things.WehaveSadlermen in common.”

I follow her heated stare to findGrahamandBoothwalking our way.Theformer has his eyes trained solely on the tiny baker.I’msurprised his glasses don’t fog over from his intense gaze.Grahamis quiet, but good lord, his love forQuinnspeaks volumes.

WhenBooth’sgaze meets mine, the happy couple is quickly forgotten.

Blue denim hugs his thighs and a cream sweatshirt shows off his wide shoulders and thick biceps.Hisdamp hair clings to his forehead, like he’s just stepped out of the shower.There’ssomething so masculine about his arms, revealed when he casually rolls his sleeves up.Cordedmuscles run up them, and the small white welts of healed burns simply add to his ruggedness.Iknow exactly how those rough hands feel on my skin.

“Silver.”Histeasing tone interrupts my thoughts. “Don’tlook at me like that, orI’llbe dragging you into the nearest supply closet.”

---