The next week comes and I haven't seen much of Willow. We have been busy at the tree lot and I wanted to give her space after what happened at breakfast the other day.

Ben kept asking what he did and once I explained it he truly understood how much he hurt Willow and said he planned to apologize but I didn't ask if he did or not.

I can't get my mind off of her and focus. The kiss and what happened in the bathroom just confirmed for me that she is who I want. I have wanted her my whole life but I don't want to get hurt knowing she leave after new years.

I sit down outside to take a break and drink some water when Noah jumps in the bed of my truck and sits beside me.

"What's up brother? You have been quiet and acting as if something is wrong."

"Just a lot on my mind" I can confide in Noah and so I told him what happened the other day.

"Have you talked to her or seen her since then?" He asked.

"Nope. I was trying to give her time. She's so emotional about the whole Casey thing still and Ben and then I guess the kiss or two." I shrug.

"You only said one kiss how many were there?" He asked.

"One in bed and then one in the bathroom I think but it wasn't just a peck it was full on my tongue in her mouth and I was ready to strip and take her right then," I said.

"What the actual fuck Jace? She probably thinks you tried to use her. You need to see her, text her, or something." Noah said.

"I was just trying to give her space but I'll text her," I said pulling out my

phone.

📱Hey Willow! 😁

I look at my phone and wait for a reply that never comes. "She's busy or ignoring me I guess." I shrug.

I finish my water and we carry the rest of the trees off the bed of my truck and place them on the lot.

A couple of hours pass and I feel my phone vibrate.

📱Hey Jace! Sorry, we have been so slammed today. What's up? 🙃

📱You know just crazy busy with trees. Umm, I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you I was just giving you space.

📱Oh, I know and thanks for talking to Ben he now understands what he has done.

📱Anytime! Well, I better get busy my old man is looking at me.

📱Alright! I will be here late more ornaments to price. Cya! 😁

📱Don't work too hard Willow. Cya!😊

I put my phone in my pocket and get back to work for a few more hours. When I get off work I run by the bar and Ross fixes me up with the usual and I head to Rustic Noel.

I pull up and grab our food and knock on the door. When Willow sees me she smiles and unlocks the door.

"I brought dinner." I smile holding up the bag.

"That was thoughtful of you Jace. Come on in." She smiled.

"How much more do you have to go?" I ask.

"A couple more hours I would say." She smiles and walks back over to where she was working.

"I figured you would still be here pricing ornaments. I'm guessing it was busy today?" I ask.

"Oh yeah, a lot of tourists today." She smiled.

"Same for us. We will have a busy day tomorrow we sold so many trees we need to restock." I said getting the food out of the bag.

"It was nice of Ross to make us food." She said.

"Yeah I told him two of the regulars and he knew what I meant." I laugh.

"It was nice of you to bring it over too. I would have found something when I got home." She said.

"No need. I hadn't seen you all week. We have been busy but mostly my fault." I said.

"Don't blame yourself, Jace. I just figured you were busy or mad at me." She laughed.

"Nah I wouldn't act like that if I was mad I would text you nonstop." I laugh.

"Well, that's good to know." She giggles.

We eat and banter back and forth and it feels comfortable. "I will stay and help you price and hang ornaments, Willow."

"Thanks, Jace but you really don't have to. I know you have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow." She said.

"I want to stay Willow because if I left I would be tossing and turning in my bed wondering if you were ok." I laugh.

"That's sweet Jace." She said laying her hand on my arm.

"So let's get to pricing then." I smile at her. It's all I can do not to lean over and kiss her. I feel the push and pull between us.

"So when are you getting your tree so I can help you decorate?" She smiles.

"How about this weekend? I actually forgot. Would you like to go to the nursery and help me pick one or come to the lot?" I ask.

"The nursery sounds fun. Is my brother going to be mad if I tag along?" I ask.

"I don't think he's going to say much to you after the other night. He doesn't want you mad again." I laugh.

"I need to talk to him about that and make things better between us." She said handing me some ornaments.

We were working on ornaments until almost midnight. I know I should be in bed right now but I don't want to leave her.

She yawns. "We should probably call it a nite Jace."

"Yeah probably so." I put my hands in my pockets and smile at her.

She starts putting stuff away and I walk over to help but when our hands touch the same thing and she sighs and looks up at me.

I know she is fighting not kissing me as much as I am her but I have no willpower.

I spin her around and pull her close to me. "I have wanted to do this since I laid my eyes on you," I said as I place my lips on hers.