I wander around Main Street, pulling the collar of my black wool coat tighter around my neck. I adjust my scarf, but there’s still a frigid chill slithering under all of the heavy layers. I never got used to this cold, even after eighteen years of dealing with snowy, northeast winters.

But I never complained about weather during the holidays. Our town was always so festive, decorated like a quaint little Christmas village complete with a forty-foot tree in the town square, lights, evergreen, and some serious industrial-quality garland. Because who would expect anything less from a little town called Cringle Cove?

God, it’s been a long time since I’ve walked these streets. So many faces, so many places, so many memories. It seems like such a long time ago that I said goodbye to my life here and headed west to begin my new chapter at Stanford University. It had always been a dream of mine to go, but I’d decided not to apply because I wasn’t willing to leave Jack. So I waited for him to come home from London, putting my dreams on hold…until he told me he wasn’t coming back.

Actually, if memory serves, he never actually told me. He mentioned it in passing to my voicemail box, which then passed it along to me. And that was my cue — grab the reins or wallow in self-pity. I opted for the former. Once the acceptance letter found its way into our mailbox, it was California or bust for me. I was anxious to escape the painful reminders in Cringle Cove — too many plans made, too many dreams imagined, too much heartbreak suffered. So I ran, burying myself in a brand-new future, chock-full of new dreams and new plans.

In fact, I think we can all thank the West Coast influence in my parents’ decision to start their own organic food business, Feedn Time. Since I’d always made excuses about why I couldn’t go home during breaks, my parents would head west to see me, and well, if you’ve ever been to California, you know what we farm and what we eat. It’s green, green, green, as far as the eye can see.

I stop in the middle of the road and give my head a furious shake. This is what happens when you find your true love at sixteen and then lose him two years later. Every other man is ruined for you. I’m surrounded by cute and dorky guys with brilliant minds and quirky personalities, and none of them can hold a candle to Jack who is exactly the same type. My type.

I grit my teeth. Dammit! Why can’t I let him go?

Hot chocolate. I need some hot chocolate. That’ll clear my mind of these ridiculous thoughts.

I glance at my watch. Shoot, this walk down memory lane has taken a little too long, and I’m going to be late for lunch with my sister Tessa. Diner on Main is right up the street, and I think I can make it…as long as I don’t lose any more feeling in my toes from this blistering cold. I flex them in my Uggs and hike down the street, my mouth watering with every step closer. The diner always had the best hot chocolate in town, and Lord knows, I need a little pick me up.

“Hey, cupcake!” Tessa lunges for me, catching me in a long, hard hug when I walk inside the restaurant. “I missed you so much! How was your flight?”

I shrug out of my coat and wave to Mabel, the silver-haired owner. She waves back from her position behind the counter where she takes someone’s order. “Tight. Sniffly. Five hours too long.”

Tessa snickers. “I’m sorry I wasn’t at the airport to pick you up. I couldn’t move my meeting in New York.”

“It’s fine.” I shrug. “You’re part of a national food conglomerate now. I’m just glad you could fit me in today.”

Tessa’s eyes sparkle, her cheeks pink from the cold. “Are you kidding? You’re not going to be able to get rid of me until New Year’s!” She gives me another quick hug before we take a booth toward the back of the restaurant. “I really wish you’d come home more often. I miss you so much. We all do.”

“You’re all really busy, you can’t possible have that much time on your hands to spend it missing little ol’ me.” I wink and toy with the napkin holder. “Besides, it’s really hard to escape. I pretty much live at the Google compound.”

“It’s not a life for you. I mean, I know, it’s Google and all, but still. You need to get out and meet people and go on dates, and—"

I hold up a hand. “I’m perfectly happy with the way things are. I have plenty of friends and I do go out.” I clear my throat. “Every once in a while.”

“I think you need a change of pace.” Tessa folds her hands, a smile playing at her glossy lips. “You know we need someone to run Feedn Time. And you know we want that person to be you. It would be so great to have you home again. Why won’t you at least consider it? You’ve always wanted to run your own non-profit. This would be a perfect fit!”

“So this is Mom and Dad’s grand plan to get me to move back home? Building a non-profit just for me?” I wink and pick up the mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream that Mabel slides in front of me.

“It’s your favorite, sweetie. Enjoy!” Mabel beams, and I have the sudden urge to jump out of the booth and throw my arms around the grandmotherly fixture of our town. I don’t fight it. I reach for her, wrapping my arms around her round body and breathing in the scent of sugar and flour.

“You’ve been baking, hmm?”

“Always,” Mabel responds. “I have some fresh brownies that just came out of the oven if you’re interested.”

My eyes widen. “Yes, of course we are!”

Tessa rolls her eyes. “Speak for yourself, Cam. I’ll have to spend hours on the treadmill working off the calories, unlike you who can eat an entire plateful and not gain an ounce.”

“Oh, stop. It’s almost Christmas. Worry about the calories on New Year’s Day.” I look up at Mabel and flash a bright smile. “We’d love some!”

Mabel pats me on the shoulder and returns the smile. “I’ll put some aside for you. I don’t want you to spoil your lunch! Do you want your usual? Cheeseburger and French fries?”

I nod with more enthusiasm than I’ve felt in the past week leading up to this trip. “Yes! I dream about your burgers, Mabel! Nothing in northern California can compare!”

“I’ll just take a grilled chicken salad, Mabel.” Tessa closes her menu with a roll of her eyes.

“Any dressing, dear?”

“Just vinegar, please. On the side.”

Mabel turns away from the table and I snicker into my napkin. “I think you offended her with your order, Tess.”

“If I ate the way you do, I’d have to pitch a tent at the gym. Now, can we get back to this very generous job offer I’ve just extended to you?” She cocks an eyebrow. “You know you hate living in California. I mean, living at Google.” She snickers.

“It’s fine.” I shrug. “And yeah, running a non-profit would be an amazing opportunity, but it’s a big step. I’m trying to establish myself right now. I don’t know if I’m ready to make that kind of a move.”

Tessa nods and sips her drink. “Just think about all of the hours you spent working local soup kitchens during the holidays…don’t you remember how great it made you feel, to spread joy at one of the hardest times during the year with people when they need it most?” Tessa places her hand on top of mine. “You can do that every day, Cam. This place is yours if you want it, and I know how much happiness it will bring to so many people, including you.”

I sigh and stir my hot chocolate. She’s right. I mean, yes, I have a great job making a ton of money at a huge conglomerate, but am I happy? Really and truly?

Tessa leans forward in a conspiratorial tone. “Now, if none of that convinced you, I have to tell you something else. It’s so amazing and so exciting, and it’s going to make Feedn Time a household name!”

Glad to be off the topic, I tap my fingers on the Formica tabletop, waiting for Tess to unload her news. Except she can’t seem to stop smiling long enough to utter a single word. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense!”

“You know how we’ve been struggling with this insane growth, right? Keeping up with all of the orders to the grocery stores across the state? Trying to figure out ways to harvest more produce with less money?”

“Yes, I feel terrible for you and your first-world problems, Tess.”

“Smart ass.” She snickers. “Last month, I went to a trade show in Manhattan and met a ton of food-industry investors. I didn’t think any of the conversations would lead to anything, but the next day, one of them called and set up a meeting with me before I left the city.”

“Was he hot?”

Tessa furrows her brow. ‘Why would that even matter?”

“It wouldn’t really, but it’d give you something nice to look at as he drones on and on and about the wonders of organic produce and the benefits it has on the world and the population.”

“So, anyway, as I was saying—”

“Here you go, girls! I hope you brought your appetites!” Mabel sets our food down with a flourish.

To say my mouth is watering would be an enormous understatement. I grab the ketchup, peel off the top of my bun, and squirt the red liquid over the gooey cheese melting over the sides of the quarter-pound burger. My heart actually skips a beat as I pick it up and bite down into the juicy goodness that only Mabel can create.

“It astounds me that you can eat that stuff and never once worry about the size of your ass.”

I giggle, my mouth full of meat and cheese, but not so full that I can’t shove in a fry.

Tessa shakes her head and takes a bite of her drier-than-the-Sahara salad.

“How is it?” I mumble, grabbing a napkin to catch the grease drizzling out of the corner of my mouth.

She flashes a tight smile. “Delicious.”

“Liar.”

“Can I please finish telling you about the meeting?”

“You avoided my question.”

“Sorry, I can’t remember it. I’m too distracted by the ketchup-grease mixture streaked across your face.”

I swipe my cheek with the napkin. “Was he hot?”

Tessa snorts. “Yes! Okay? He was!”

“Okay, thank you. Now you may continue.”

“Sometimes, Cam…” She shakes her head, blonde curls bobbing over her shoulders. “Anyway, here is the exciting part. He wants to make us an offer to purchase a piece of the company!”

“You’re kidding!” But it really comes out sounding like “Nuhidding.”

“Nope! Isn’t that amazing? He said he’s been following our success, but that he knows the pitfalls of expanding too fast without enough outside investment.”

“So what’s he going to do about that?” I narrow my eyes. “Did you even look into his company at all?”

“Of course, I did! I researched the hell out of him and his company. He has a proven track record in this industry and has made fortunes for so many smaller brands that have exploded!”

“Sounds amazing. What do Mom and Dad think?”

“Well, of course, Dad is excited, but Mom is nervous that we’re being taken for a ride.”

“I don’t blame her. Did you show her your research?”

Tessa lets out a snort. “Yes, but it was all on the computer so you know how that went.”

“It astonishes me that she can be part owner of a company, yet not even have a cell phone.”

“She resists what she doesn’t understand.” Tessa smirks. “Hence the reason why I can’t get her to read up on this guy using the Internet. She asked me to get his number off of the web so she can call him herself.”

“Maybe that’ll give her some peace of mind.”

“Well, she did call. And he told her he’d do her one better and make a visit. Tomorrow. With his business partner.”

“Right before Christmas?”

“I guess they really want to make the deal.” Tessa clasps her hands together. “Do you know what this means? They must really think we’re on the brink of something amazing! That has to be why they want a stake in this.”

“Just be careful. They’ll have their own attorneys and contracts and all sorts of things you guys may not be prepared for. Did you let Dirk know?”

Dirk Marchesi is the town lawyer, but hardly the type to go head to head with big-time legal eagles. He’s more of a I’ll draw up your will and represent you in court for a traffic ticket kind of lawyer.

“Yes, and he’s going to join us for a meeting this week.”

“This week?”

“Well, yes. These guys want to get a feel for our process and our operations so they’ll be here through the holiday to get a real feel for how we work. This town is a huge part of our success — the whole family-owned, family-grown kind of thing. They think it’ll be a real hit when trying to market us. A small-town, family-oriented business has a lot of allure. They think it’ll sell big. People like cozy, homey, and comfortable, and that’s what we offer.”

“And then they’ll definitely need to come to the big event you have planned at Feedn Time on Christmas Eve and sample things for themselves, right?” I let out a giggle before stuffing another fry into my mouth.

“Of course, Feedn Time is a huge part of the draw! People love companies that give back to the community!”

“You are so transparent, Tess. You totally have a thing for this guy. Did you sleep with him yet?”

“You are a real piece of work. This is strictly business.”

“And maybe some pleasure.”

Tessa narrows her eyes and chomps on a piece of dry chicken. “Fine! He’s hot, but I’m not stupid enough to ruin a good thing by sleeping with him.”

I pop the last bite of burger into my mouth and savor the last of the delicious juices. “Mmm. Google needs to hire Mabel.”

“Okay, is the food orgasm over yet?” Tessa snickers, picking at the rest of her salad. “I still don’t understand how you don’t look like an apartment house.”

“There’s also a gym at the compound. I run on the treadmill.”

“Oh, yeah? Like twenty-four hours a day? Because if you eat like this out there, I don’t know how else you’d be able to fit through doors.”

“I’m on vacation.” I wink and sip my hot chocolate. “So when are these guys supposed to show up, anyway?”

“Sometime tomorrow morning. And Mom and Dad really want you to be there when they roll in.”

“Why me? I’m not involved in the business.”

“Yet.”

“Come on! Are we still on this?”

“Mom and Dad won’t be around forever. Wouldn’t it be great for us to take things over and run the business together?”

“So I’d have to move back here?”

“This is where we operate out of, so yes. Duh!”

I stir the rest of my hot chocolate, which is now more like lukewarm chocolate. “I have to think about it. I still don’t know if I’m ready to come back.”

“You can’t hide forever.”

“See, I actually can.”

Tessa leans forward on her forearms. “Cammy, you have got to let go of the past. I thought once you left for Stanford, you’d realize that there’s a big, bright world out there.”

I let out a sigh. “I’ve experienced it, and yeah, it’s big and bright. But nobody shines nearly as bright, Tess. Every guy I go out with is like a little flicker in comparison. I try and try and try not to compare everyone to him, but it’s like my heart won’t let me get in deep. Maybe I’m just afraid that if I do find another someone great, he’ll leave me, too.”

“He wasn’t so great if he left in the first place.”

“I know. He had his reasons.”

“He had everything here, but he kept looking for more.”

“For us.”

Tessa cocks an eyebrow. “More like, for him.”

“Look, I know you think he made the wrong move by leaving—”

“No, he made the wrong move by not coming back, especially after he…” She clears her throat. “I mean, he said he’d come back, and he just cut off all contact. Who does that? And why should you mope for the rest of your life over someone like that? You’re not damaged, Cammy! You need to get back into the game…before your ass splits those tight jeans of yours.”

I chuckle loudly. “Perfect timing, look what just arrived!”

Tessa looks up at the plate of piping-hot brownies Mabel places in the center of the table, a crestfallen look on her face.

“I’ve never seen a reaction like that to my famous brownies, Tessa.” Mabel clucks her mock disapproval, and Tessa groans.

“You’re killing me right now, do you know that?”

“Don’t worry, go back to your rabbit food for dinner and live a little now.” I hold up a brownie and lean forward, my eyes wide. “Oh, wow, is that Mallory Connor over there with her parents? I didn’t know she was coming home for the holidays. I haven’t seen her since she left for Georgia.” I squint and take a huge bite of my brownie. “She and Hunter look pretty cozy.” I take a sip of water and let out a loud chuckle, nearly spitting it out at my sister. “Do you remember when she and Amelia got caught by the chief of police skinny dipping in the lake? That was classic!”

Tessa giggles and picks the tiniest crumb of a brownie from the plate and drops it into her mouth. “Um, yeah, I remember it really well.” She shifts in the red pleather booth, averting her eyes.

I snort, clapping a hand over my mouth. “Holy cow, I forgot you were there, too! You’re so lucky they didn’t come prowling around your side of the lake. Pornhub has nothing on you guys. Freaking orgy central!” I pop out of the booth and run over to the table where Mallory is sitting. “Hey, everyone! Merry Christmas!” I bend down next to Mallory. “Nice to see you kept your clothes on this time,” I whisper in her ear with a snicker.

She turns a pretty disturbing shade of red and pokes me in the side with a giggle. “I could say the same thing to you, too. Lord knows, you spent more time at the lake with Jack than anyone else.”

I force a smile and straighten up. Yeah, I did. Dammit. More freaking memories. After a couple of minutes of exchanging updates with Mallory, her parents, and Hunter, I wave at the group and wish them a merry Christmas before jogging back to Tessa.

“Off to rub a little salt in the wound?” She smirks.

I scoop up some brownie crumbs and lick them off my finger. “Something like that.”

A loud ring comes from within the depths of Tessa’s handbag and she fumbles around before pulling it out. “Tessa Ellis.” Pause. Death look at the brownies. “Oh, hi, Ian! So great to hear from you! Yes, we’re looking forward to seeing you and your partner tomorrow.”

Another short pause. I savor the chewy gooey chocolatey goodness, watching my sister’s facial expression flicker between excitement, disappointment, and something decidedly more...hmm.

I squint my eyes, trying to figure out what the heck is going through her mind right now. Expressions flicker across her face so fast, I can’t even keep track.

“That’s too bad, but I understand.” She nods, takes a sip of her water, and before she can even swallow it, she spews it all over the table.

Finally, her face decides on one set look.

Horror.