Page 89 of Mistletoe & Magic
When Willa and Tate finally head home, I stay in the office, unpacking until the floor is covered with stacks of books.
I stand in the middle of the room, breathing hard, and whisper it into the quiet house.
“I’m going to fix this.”
Then I roll up my sleeves, open another box, and keep going until there’s nothing left but the faint smell of paper and the hum of hope in my chest.
Chapter 27
Ivy
The bookstore smells like roasted coffee beans and paper, the familiar scent that always calms me. I sit at the counter with my latte, tracing the rim of the mug with my finger. My notebook sits open in front of me, but the words on the page are a mess with half-plans, half rambling thoughts about Remy that I don’t dare read too closely.
Willa leans her elbows on the counter across from me, her chin resting on her hand. She has been watching me, letting me stew.
“You’re brooding,” she says finally.
I glance up. “I am not brooding.”
“You are. And it’s starting to depress the customers. You’re going to scare off the regulars with your bad vibes.”
I try to glare, but it just makes her grin. “I’m fine,” I say, even though I know how unconvincing I sound.
She arches a brow. “You’re not fine. You’ve been sitting here for an hour pretending to drink the same latte.”
I sigh and push the mug away. “What do you want me to say, Willa? That I miss him? And I miss Junie. That I hate thatwe’re not talking? That every time I close my eyes, I see the look on his face that night in the barn?”
“Yes,” she says simply. “I want you to say all of that.”
My throat burns, and I rub at my chest like I can ease the ache there. “He really hurt me.”
“I know,” Willa says gently. “But I also know he’s been trying to make it right. And maybe it’s time you let him. Anyway, we’re going out there.”
I stare at her. “What?”
“We’re going to Remy’s.”
I blink. “Right now?”
“Yes, right now.” She grins, too satisfied with herself. “Come on, Ivy. It’s time you two talked. Plus, he has something to show you.”
I narrow my eyes. “What are you talking about?”
She just shrugs, all innocent.
“I’ll admit I’ve been curious about what Junie said the other day when she let something slip with Finn.”
“You’ve been miserable, and so has he. Let’s fix this.”
I hesitate, my fingers gripping the edge of the counter. My heart is hammering so hard I can hear it in my ears.
“I don’t know if I’m ready,” I say nervously.
“Sure, you are,” Willa says. “You just need someone to shove you out the door.”
She hops off her stool and grabs her keys.
“Willa,” I protest, but she just grins.
