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“I made a new batch of caramel sauce last night with the coconut milk to see if it would be too sweet—my sisters and I made sundaes.”

Why had she shared that detail?

“Wasn’t last night the sister party food bake-off with the spooky book?”

She stared at him, and he laughed. “How did I never twig that you were so superstitious? A CIA spy has nothing on you, Jay Maye.”

“I’m not…”

“Too bad, you’ve been outted. Cheers.” Storm tapped his cup to hers. “None of your secrets are safe anymore. Rustin told me what you were up to and the big mystery about the book when I had a late dinner at his place last night.”

“Who knew Rustin had such a big mouth?”

“Ahhhh cut him a break. He’s happy. Haven’t seen him get much happy.”

“So’s Chloe,” Jessica said, smiling. “It’s so beautiful we can’t even tease her.”

Storm took a bigger draw of the latte and then clutched his chest and staggered back.

“Storm.” Jessica lunged forward and grabbed him. “Storm, what is it? Are you okay? Sit down.” She looked for a place for him to rest that wasn’t the ground. They’d talked about putting some benches in the grove, but maybe a low wall would be more appropriate.

“I’m just messing with you, Jay.” Storm covered her hand with his. “You’ve been so skittish about the book. You don’t really believe in that nonsense, do you? So like what? If we cook something together am I going to fall madly in love with you now, or will you fall madly in love with me?”

“Very funny,” she groused, feeling herself flush a little. What was up with this man? She hadn’t even blushed in college. “Ignore everything Rustin said. I think it’s the sanest policy going forward.”

“Yes, boss.” He laughed when she fake-scowled back.

“We have work to do.” She pointed at the gravel to be spread. They weren’t having any crew come in today since they would be heading out to look at a couple of barn sales and a flea market out toward Mount Holly, and she wanted to have plenty of time, now that her ideas of having focal points, themes and unexpected treasures in the garden.

“That we do. I have some designs I wanted to show you for the water feature—I’m working up something for the Wild Side that Rustin and I are going to build together, and these ideas build off that, so I wanted his opinion and permission.”

“I…” She hesitated. The costs scared her, but when she’d talked to her sisters last night about starting a tax and bookkeeping business as a side hustle, they all remained confident that her nursery would take off—especially the event space and summer concerts and perhaps even Shakespear in the garden in the future.

“It’s not that I won’t love to see them, Storm, it’s just that the money scares me. I feel like I’m hemorrhaging, although it’s more of a mindset because for so long I saved and invested.”

“Dream big. Work harder, Jay. You got this.”

She nearly said, ‘We got this.’

It was nearly sunset when they started for home after a busy day scouring sales, chasing down tips and haggling, but Jessica couldn’t be happier with her purchases. And she’d met a stonemason craftsman who was going to create a unique bench, and who had given her the contact information for other craft artists who’d invited them to their studios.

“That was a win, win, win,” Storm said as drove down the highway.

“My head’s so bursting with ideas that it hurts.”

He looked over and smiled at her, and Jessica’s heart gave a happy leap. He may not want a relationship with her, or maybe he didn’t want one unless she confessed undying love forever, which sounded terrifying, but he was a terrific sounding board.

“Have you had a female friend before?”

“Sure, lots.”

“Don’t tell me you hang out in the friend zone. I won’t believe it.”

“Why, Jessica Maye, that sounds like a compliment.”

“Like you need the praise. Every woman crushed wildly over you in high school.”

“You didn’t.”