“What, this old thing?” he asked, mock-casual, tugging at the hem. “Figured I should rep the winning team.”
Cassidy raised a brow, one hand still on the measuring tape. “That’s funny. I thought Team Cassidy sold out twice as fast.”
“Nah, that’s just what they want you to think. You wait and see, come tomorrow, there will be a sea of green for as far as the eye can see.”
Cassidy laughed.
“What are you up to?” Liam motioned to the window. “Zach thought you might be adding reinforcements.”
“Reinforcements? What would I need those for?”
Liam rocked back on his heels. “Ah, so you don’t know. I figured…”
“Wait, what? What’s going on?”
“Apparently, someone knocked over the nutcrackers in front of the Kettle.”
“I wondered what happened to those. It was the Gingerbread Jerk, wasn’t it? Wait, when did this happen? And does Mr. Alders have an alibi?”
He grinned. “I knew you’d jump right to him. First of all, Mr. Alders has a bad hip and scoliosis. I doubt he’s going to tip over hundred-pound nutcrackers and risk throwing his back out.”
“He could’ve paid some high schoolers to do it!” she suggested.
“Doubtful. He’s really a nice guy. I think you just caught him on a bad day.”
“I still think somebody should interview him?—”
Before she could insist any further, a familiar voice interrupted.
“Oh, there they are—our favorite hometown rivals!” Mayor Bloomfield said, approaching them with his assistant in tow. Today, he looked rather reserved in black slacks and a sport coat—until he slid his hands into his pockets, revealing a silver-blue satin vest embroidered with snowflakes.
“What can we do for you, Mayor?” Liam asked.
“Just wondering if we could borrow the two of you for a moment,” Mayor Bloomfield said. “Elsie can tell you more about it.” He motioned to her standing beside him with a smartphone in one hand and a clipboard in the other. “She wants to put something on Instant-something, or… what was that again? Tickity Tockity? I don’t know. Social media, she tells me. I wouldn’t even bother with it if Elsie didn’t insist on how important it was.”
Elsie stepped forward, clearly exasperated with the mayor but trying to hide it. “It’s for the town’s holiday social media post. We’re calling it ‘The Great Maple Falls Holiday Rivalry.’ Thought we’d capture a little photo-op magic.”
“Oooh, I like it.” Cassidy smiled.
“We thought it would be great to help boost holiday tourism, showcase a bit of everything—the competition, the tree lighting, the lantern garden walks, the Midnight Silent Night coming up. And when I saw the Team Cassidy versus Team Liam sweaters, it was too good to pass up. Do you guys mind doing a quick photo?”
She hesitated a beat, then added lightly, “It’s not how I’d do things, but if this is how Maple Falls really wants to celebrate the holiday, I’d like to give it at least a decent press kit.”
Cassidy exchanged a curious glance with Liam, but before either could ask, Elsie was already lifting her phone and shifting them into position.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Cassidy replied honestly.
Liam shrugged, his gaze steady. “What do you need us to do?”
Elsie had them stand back to back, arms folded, facing the camera, theirTeam CassidyandTeam Liamsweaters bright under the shop lights. They tried to mean-mug for the camera, but Cassidy kept cracking up, especially when Liam’s armbrushed against hers, or when she caught his reflection in the window, winking at her.
But this wasn’t just for show. Cassidywantedto beat him. She needed to. She was fighting to prove herself, to build something lasting, to show she could do this on her own.
And Liam? She knew he wasn’t backing down, either. She could practically feel the energy radiating off him, that quiet determination that made him so annoyingly attractive.
“Come on, Cass,” he murmured out of the side of his mouth. “Don’t tell me this is too much for you.”
She narrowed her eyes, leaning back against him, refusing to give an inch. “You wish, Hawthorne.”
