Chapter 3

Luxury brands always bragged about their so-called design, but the craftsmanship was lacking. The seams weren't all that great. If it weren't for the coat covering her, Nancy would've been practically naked.

Her face turned as red as the redwoods by Thurston Lake, her gorgeous eyes shooting daggers at me.

I shrugged. "Sorry, I didn't notice you. That dress was way too long. How much did it cost? I'll cover it."

"You? Like you could afford it!" Nancy snapped, so unlike her usual calm persona. But then her gaze shifted behind me, and her voice cut off abruptly.

I turned around and saw Ramon standing there. He stared at the shredded dress at my feet and asked, "How much? I'll pay for it."

"Forget it. I'll just grab another one online," Nancy said, her tone dripping with impatience. She snatched up the ruined dress and clutched it to her chest.

Our commotion caught Jacob's attention, and he came out of the kitchen. Seeing the scene, he said softly, "Don't worry about it. It's not a big deal. This place used to be an inn, and we've got some clothes for sale as well. The storage room's over there. Feel free to grab anything you like."

Nancy thanked him and walked over alone. After she'd walked away, Jacob suddenly asked, "By the way, Ramon, what brings you to Glenphis City?"

Ramon turned to look at me, but I quickly averted my gaze, pretending to be interested in Nancy off in the distance. Right now, I really wasn't in the mood to talk to him.

Five minutes passed, and he still hadn't answered. That was so Ramon; always keeping quiet. Honestly, it was so ridiculous I almost wanted to laugh.

I remembered the second time I confessed to him. He'd just gotten his acceptance letter from McCollum University and was so excited to share the news with me.

I got in too, and I thought we'd be together all through college. So I finally worked up the nerve to tell him how I felt.

But he rejected me again, saying he wanted to focus on his studies and didn't want a relationship to take away from his academics.

I couldn't tell if he was really rejecting me or simply asking me to wait. After that, I stopped making a big deal out of my confessions. I'd tell him how I felt every now and then, not even caring if he'd agree anymore.

But I kept jotting my confessions all down in my diary, like grinding for affection points in a romance game, never getting tired of it, always hoping that maybe, someday, he'd finally give in.

Even after the ninety-ninth time, he still wouldn't say yes, always turning me down in the smoothest, most polite way possible. Honestly, I only felt fed up.

Seeing Nancy now dressed in a boho-style dress, I asked, "Ramon, is Nancy the one you like?"

Before Ramon could reply, Jacob interrupted, "Ivy, didn't you say you wanted to learn how to make grilled fish? Come on, let's head to the kitchen. I'll teach you."

I walked down the steps and followed Jacob into the kitchen. Once the door closed behind us, he lowered his voice and asked, "What's going on with you, Ramon and Nancy? Is this some kind of relationship drama? Am I about to get roped into it too?"

"If you're so worried about getting dragged in, why did you bring me here? Now you're stuck with me, whether you like it or not," I teased.

I joked around, watching Ramon and Nancy head back to the sunroom outside. Then I went on, "Whenever my confession got shot down, I'd go hide somewhere for a bit. I'd always tell Aunt Rosa, and she'd pass it on to Ivy. Before long, Ramon and Ivy would always track me down."

Jacob started heating up the pan, tossing in the ingredients with practiced ease. Then he asked, "It's honestly strange. Ramon keeps turning you down, but not long after, he's right there with your cousin. I'm a guy, and I can see he's into you, but I can't figure out what he's up to."

I laughed and pulled up a chair. "Why bother figuring it out? I've confessed ninety-nine times, and he's turned me down as many times. Even ice would start to melt after all that."

The aroma of grilled fish hit my nose, and my stomach started rumbling. Guess I hadn't eaten properly in forever. My mouth was practically watering, and I couldn't help but sigh, "That smells so good! Back in school, you were always running a food stall by the gate, and now you've actually gone pro after graduation."

"It's just a hobby, really. Not like you guys, getting into top national agencies and working those fancy jobs," Jacob said.

"Fancy? Please, it's just serving coffee and water to the higher-ups. Honestly, you dodged a bullet by not getting in. I've already quit. Without connections or a network, there's no way I could ever get promoted."

I smiled as I replied, seeing the fire in the old stove was almost out, so I went ahead and tossed in some more wood myself.

"Everyone's got their own ups and downs," Jacob commented casually.

He was the Stratton family's illegitimate son, pulling in tens of thousands in dividends every year. But right after college, he dropped off the radar. Who'd have guessed he'd wind up living solo in Glenphis City, doing whatever he wanted?