The next morning I get up early and head down to Abbot's store to get some winter clothes.

I walk outside and smile when I think of how Jace caught me last night from falling.

He's as cute as I remember but maybe more handsome now. I shake my head trying to clear my head and go to town.

I walk into the store and smile when I see Abbot. He looks the same just more fabulous.

"Good morning!" He said not paying attention to me.

"Is that any way to greet your long lost friend?" I laugh.

He looks up and when he realizes it's me he squeals and runs up to me. "Willow! Oh my god, it's been too long!" He laughs.

"It sure has. But I'm here for a while to help mom with the shop so I need some winter clothes." I said.

"Well, you come to the right place." He smiles.

"Ben told me you had a store." I smile.

"Oh, Ben he's still so delicious." He laughs.

"I'll tell him you said so, Abbot." I laugh.

After loading up on a bunch of clothes I went home to change and then headed to Rustic Noel. I was so embarrassed as a kid that mom named me after the store.

I see that same red ford truck at the Christmas tree lot so it must be Jace's truck. I pull into the parking lot around back and walk in to find my mom hanging up ornaments.

"Hey, mom sorry I'm late I had to go get some winter clothes," I said.

"It's ok I figured you went to see Abbot." She said.

"I did and got some winter stuff. So what do you want me to do?" I ask.

"Just help me price and hang things up would be great sweetie." Mom said.

We spent most of the day pricing and hanging up ornaments to sell.

The doorbell chimed and I looked up to see Eleanor walking in. "Ohhh Jace told me you were in town." She smiled walking over for a hug.

"It's nice to see you." I smile.

"It's been too long sweet girl! I know your family is glad that you are here." She said.

"I plan to stay until the new year and maybe dad will be better then," I said grabbing another box to price.

By 4 pm Ben and Jace walk in with more boxes of ornaments. "Sis here is more stuff." He grins.

"Glad you're here you can help price all these," I smirk.

Jace laughs and walks over to where I am. "I can help you if you want Willow."

"Thanks, Jace but I got it," I said walking over to the counter.

He puts his hands in his pockets and just stands there and now I feel bad. I said I wanted to stay away from him but I don't.

I sigh... "Hey, Jace will you get the price gun from mom?"

"Sure I can do that." He said walking over to mom. He walks back over and I pat the barstool for him to sit down.

"I changed my mind." I smile at him and he grins at me and sticks a price tag on my forehead.

I pull the price tag off. "Oh, so I'm only worth $5.99 Jace?" I joke.

"No Willow you are worth much more." He said clearing his throat.

I picked up ornaments and look like I'm busy. I don't know how to respond to that.

My mom walks over and breaks the silence between us. "Oh, Jace it's so nice of you to help Willow out like that."

"It's no problem Mila. Looks like she was struggling." He laughs.

"Hey, I was not! " I said shoving him.

"Alright, kids! Just like when you were young." She laughed.

Mom walked off to help customers and Jace smiled at me. "So how long are you staying around?"

"I'm hoping just through the new year. I need to get back to my business." I said.

"Interior design huh? How is that for all the snobby rich people?" He grins.

"Sometimes too much and very draining. But at the end of the day I go back to my apartment and Maddie and I polish off a bottle of wine." I laugh.

"Maddie?" He asked.

"My roommate. We met in college and became instant friends and after we graduated we decided to get a place together." I said.

"Guess it's cheaper that way too huh?" He asked.

"It is but I'm so used to living with someone that I didn't want to live alone. She's an outgoing person where I'm a homebody."

My phone beeps and I stop working on ornaments to see who it is.

📱Did you make it ok?

📱Thanks, Shane I did.

📱Good just checking in.

📱Thanks!

I sit my phone down and Jace looks down at it. "So that your boyfriend?" He asked.

"Oh god no! He's my neighbor and I told him I was leaving and asked him to watch over the place since Maddie was away visiting her parents." I shrugged.

"Oh." Was all he said.

"What about you Jace? Got a girlfriend or any girls chasing you around?" I smile at him.

"Nah that would be your brother. He's the one that always gets chased." He smirked.

"Abbot said he was so cute." I laugh.

"Abbot has always not been shy about his feelings for your brother but I'm absolutely sure he doesn't swing that way." He laughed.

I laugh. "I know your right about that."

I reach for an ornament as he does and I pull my hand out and mumble sorry. I look down at the ornaments and think back to when we were 14 and 15 and my brother had this party and we played seven minutes in heaven and even though Jace nor I got picked he pulled me into a closet and we shared our first kiss together.

I can't remember everything about it but I remember how soft his lips were.

"You ok Willow? You zoned out." He said.

I smile at him. "I'm fine I'm just happy to be home."