Faking It with My Bossy Ex (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

23. Amy

Chapter 23

Amy

Laura shoves a paper bag and coffee cup into my hand as soon as I walk up to the library.

“What’s this?” I ask with a laugh, opening the paper bag to find a chocolate donut and a brownie. She knows me too well.

“Just a little something to get you through the auction. I have a feeling this last activity is going to make for a long afternoon. I’ve already been through the auction room, and it’s wonderfully set up.” Laura’s eyes shimmer with excitement.

“Thank you.” I shift nervously. I came by with Dylan earlier to do a walkthrough and make sure things were all set up properly. We’d used a lot of the decorations brought by to spruce up the auction room, and I have to say I’m pretty pleased with it.

“So, how are things going in paradise?” She winks.

“They’re not.” I broke down and told Laura the truth about Dylan a couple of days ago, not being able to keep the secret all bottled up anymore. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”

“Aww,” her arm wraps around my shoulders, and she leads me over to one of the benches in front of the library. People are filing in, filling up the building for the auction, and no one pays us any mind. “Tell me what happened?”

“Dylan is so confusing. I don’t want to admit it, but he’s still in here.” I press a hand to my chest. “Even after everything, it’s like there’s this pesky, leftover feeling I can’t shake. I hate it, Laura. If only there were some kind of heart eraser.”

“So why not give him another chance?” Laura looks a little too eager for that option. It’s not that she’s on Dylan’s side, but it certainly seems she’s rooting for us to work out.

“Not that he’s specifically asked for one, but how do I trust he won’t pull the same thing again? I mean, what if I let myself believe, only to find he still thinks he knows best about everything?”

Laura is quiet for a long moment.

“I think that you and Dylan have a knack for finding one another. Otherwise, how would you both end up in the same town, staying at the same place, planning the same fundraiser? Maybe it’s time to give love a chance again. It’s been eight years. Some people change a lot in eight years, for better, or for worse, but I think that in Dylan’s case, it might be for the better.” Laura holds my hand, giving it a tight squeeze.

“Maybe you’re right.” I take a long sip of the cappuccino and a sticky bite of donut, rolling my eyes with delight. “This is wonderful.”

“That’s what best friends are for. Now, you should really get in there. It’s filling up fast, and didn't you sort of organize this whole thing?”

“Yes, I guess I did help put this together. We’ll see each other in there?” I giggle as I stand up and head toward the front door.

“Of course.” Laura follows along and I hurry through the growing crowd, searching for Jake.

Maybe I need his opinion on this whole Dylan thing. After all, it was he who helped tear us apart the first time. He’s over on the side of the room where the auction results will be read, having a conversation with Tyler and a couple of their friends.

“Hey, Jake, can I talk to you for a moment?” Even though we've been catching up here and there since they arrived, it still feels like we haven’t gotten enough time together.

“Sure, what’s up, little sis?”

“Really?” I settle a glare on him. Both he and Tyler enjoy calling me pet names. Making me uncomfortable is their mission as my brothers, apparently.

“Yes, really. You’ll always be my little sister. I can see that you and Dylan did great work getting this whole event on its feet. It’s something.”

“Thank you. Speaking of Dylan, have you seen him around?”

“Not yet. Are the two of you back together?” He leans in ever so slightly, a mischievous look on his face.

I draw in a sharp breath. It looks like Jake beat me to the topic.

“No. We’re not. I mean, I think he wants to be, but I don’t know if I should trust him again.”

“I talked with him a bit the other day, and he’s not the same, Amy. Maybe … it wouldn’t be the worst idea to give him a chance to show you.” Jake’s expression softens.

My eyes widen. I didn’t expect Jake, of all people, to be encouraging me to give Dylan another chance.

“You think I should give him another chance?”

“Is it so hard to believe I want you to be as happy as you can be?”

I can't help but let out a small laugh.

“I should go and let you get back to all of that.” I point toward Tyler and the others. “I’ll see you after the auction.”

He grins and hurries back to his conversation. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with the silent auction. It’s the biggest moneymaker of the event, and hopefully, with it, we’ll gather enough for the community center. I can almost see it now.

I stop by the auction room and take a walk around. It’s all set up beautifully. Long tables covered in green and red tablecloths are holding the different items. Each item has a large index card with the title and history of the piece on it, as well as the subsequent bids.

When I reach my painting, the one that I struggled with whether to put it up for sale or not until the last minute, is toward the back of the sale hall. I hope that someone who will appreciate it gets the piece.

It makes my heart ache just a bit, thinking of never seeing it again. When I check its card and see that not a single person has made a bid, I don’t know if I should be happy or sad.

I turn and make my way out of the auction room and back to the main room, where we will all hear the results of the auction as well as the closing statements of the event. Finding a chair near the back, I settle in with my notebook and phone. I’ve donated five paintings to the auction, including the ice skating one. I hope that they bring in at least a little for the cause. I suppose I’ll have to wait and see what happens.