He closed his eyes for a moment. “There were little hints as to that in the letters she wrote me while I was overseas, but mostly she supported me. I should have known or guessed.”

“You know now,” she said gently, “You’re here and you’re helping her. Don’t sell yourself short.”

“I appreciate the pep talk.” He blew out a laugh. “Especially coming from you, but you aren’t going to change my mind, Ang. I can’t pretend to be your boyfriend.”

“Just until the new year,” she promised. “I’ll help you at the shop in return. We can do some cross-promotion between you and Mariella. She’s gaining a huge following. Beef up your online presence. There are all kinds of ways to improve sales at the shop.”

“Why should I care?” Gabe gently rubbed a leaf between two fingers. “If all of this goes to my mom, it shouldn’t matter to me.”

“You’re doing it for your grandmother. She’s getting better, and think of how happy it would make her to see the shop bustling again. Iris and my mom are a lot alike in that way.”

“Which is why you are burning the candle at both ends to help Emma with the inn while still running the restaurant? It’s too much, Ang. You’re going to wear yourself out.”

“Who says I’m worn-out?”

He lifted his arm and traced the pad of his thumb under her eye. “You need sleep.”

Once again, he was struck by her contradictions. Sassy mouth, sharp edges and the softest skin he’d ever felt.

“Did you just point out my dark circles?” She swatted his hand away. “Rude.”

“I pointed out that you’re doing too much.”

“Another great reason I want to avoid going out on the dates my mom is so determined to set up for me. I’m simplifying my life. Sparking joy and all that crap.”

“You’re not simple, Angi.”

“Just consider it, Gabe. I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

He lifted a brow, and she snorted in response. “Down, boy. I mean by helping with the store.”

“The answer is no.”

She glared at him. “I hate that answer.”

“You have a million friends,” he reminded her. “More than most people, I know how hard you worked at being popular in Magnolia. Surely one of your buddies would be a better choice than me. Pick someone else, Angi. I’m not going to fake it with a person I wouldn’t even choose as a friend.”

Even as he spoke the words, he recognized how harsh they sounded. But he couldn’t help it. She’d been cruel to him at a time in his life when he was vulnerable. Yeah, he’d grown up and should move past that pettiness. But he wasn’t quite ready to let it go.

“Thanks for the reminder of why this was a horrible idea,” she said, cheeks once again flaming with color. “There’s a choir concert in the town square tomorrow night. You can come and start carrying your weight as far as this partnership goes. Just do us both a favor and stay out of my way.”