Page 114 of A Very Merry Mistake

“What?” Her cute button nose scrunches.

“I texted you, and it didn’t go through. It said undelivered.”

Her expression changes, and her perfect lips part. “Oh, I’m sorry. I received a lot of random calls because I think Dale leaked my number to retaliate against me. He’s an asshole like that. So, to stop the hate, I changed my number. I would’ve texted you and told you, but I honestly thought I’d be the last person on Earth you’d want to speak to. I wouldn’t have been able to handle that, so I didn’t try.”

I almost smirk but hold it back, not allowing myself to grab onto a sliver of hope. Not yet, at least. “Okay. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“No, please don’t be. I’m used to changing my number every other year. It happens.” She picks lint off her gloves, and I can tell she’s nervous. “What did your text say?”

“It doesn’t matter now.” I glance down at her shoes, wishing we could go back in time to when we were comfortable around one another. I chuckle and point at her shoes. “Nice boots.”

She beams. “Yeah. I got some like yours. Maybe I won’t bust my ass or have to slide my way across a parking lot if it rains. They’re comfortable and practical.”

“Yeah, they are.”

We grow quiet, and the silence takes over. There are so many unspoken words streaming between us. I want to know how she’s been and if she’s missed me as much as I’ve missed her, but I don’t ask. It’s not my business, not right now, not when everything between us is unsettled.

The wood cracks and pops, and the fire tenders add more limbs, causing the flames to rise slowly.

Claire clears her throat. “I’ve done a lot of soul-searching since I left. More than I think I ever have. I’m extremely sorry for lying and betraying your trust, Jake. It’s something I never wanted to do.”

“But you did,” I mutter. “Are you sorry you lied or sorry you got caught?”

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry for hurting you and for lying. It’s an apology I should’ve given you before I told you the truth.”

“Tell me the truth. I want to hear it from the horse’s mouth, Claire.”

She draws in a deep breath. “Okay.” She pauses for nearly a minute, then interlocks her fingers together and starts talking. “Initially, I was here for the tax auction that was taking place. My lawyer had been following the progress of the back taxes owed for years. When he got a special notification that the farm would potentially be sold the first week of December or January, I made a reservation at the inn. My dad’s secretary is an idiot and booked the wrong location. And yes, I legitimately ran out of gas. None of that was fake. And I gave you one of my aliases, but it wasn’t to deceive you. It’s for my protection. Everyone knows the last name Manchester. The hotels and resorts are the first thing anyone thinks of. I didn’t need anyone snooping on me or my life. If the wrong person finds me, I could be taken for ransom or hurt. So it’s a rule when I travel: I’m Claire Chester.”

I nod. “Okay.”

“I was hesitant to let you help me because I knew about the farm already. I knew you were part of the family. My goal was to leave as soon as possible because I’d overstepped a boundary.”

“You’re right about that.”

“I deserve that,” she tells me. “I do. I deserve all of your frustration and anger. What I did was wrong. Staying with you while knowing I was there to buy the property should have never happened. But I didn’t expect to fall in love with you in two weeks. Some will say that was my mistake. I don’t regret it, though. I feel like I’ve known you all my life and that you knew me, the real me. I’ve never shared myself with anyone in the ways I shared myself with you. I’ve never felt comfortable enough. But Jake, you’re different. You’re not like anyone else. And I hurt you. That’s not okay.”

My eyes meet hers, and all I want to do is kiss her and taste the cinnamon alcohol on her lips.

“Once I realized what was happening, and after I met your adorable grandmother, I knew I couldn’t go through with it. At that point, my father learned where I was and put the pieces together, and it all got out of control quickly. I fucked up big time. But I want you to know that I was never buying that property and taking it away from your family. I couldn’t. I know it’s easy for you and everyone else in this town and online to villainize me. I’ve read the posts. I spent an entire night scrolling and reading threads about me on Reddit. They hate me there. You’d think I kick puppies for shits and giggles.”

I shake my head. “I know. I saw. Leave it to the internet to destroy a billionaire princess.”

“Yeah, they’re great at that. In case you’re wondering, I don’t kick puppies. I just have to take it, all of it, per usual. It’s why I keep to myself.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“Don’t be. My problems aren’t yours. Now, can you please open that envelope?”

I pull out a thin slip of paper. It’s blank. Then I realize there’s writing on the other side and flip it around to discover it’s a receipt from the county.

At the bottom, I read: All taxes paid with a credit balance of $100,000.

“Claire, I can’t accept this,” I tell her, shaking my head, trying to return it to her, as if that will make this all disappear.

“The money has already been transferred and put toward the account. You told me at the very beginning, when you allowed me to stay at your house, that I could pay you whatever amount I wanted after my stay. Remember?” she reminds me.

“Yes.”

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