Her FaceTime notification began to ring a few moments later.
Cassidy walked back to the couch and propped the phone up against a nearby mug.
And there he was. Liam’s face filled the screen, his breath clouding the camera in puffs as he turned it toward the crowd.
“Evening,” he said with a wink. “Reporting live from the second official Maple Falls light-up extravaganza.”
She chuckled, coughing slightly. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And yet you’re smiling,” he said. “And I like those glasses.”
Cassidy had forgotten she was wearing her red frames. She’d been too sick to bother with her usual contacts.
“They look great on you.” He’d dropped the comment nonchalantly, but it meant everything to her. Jean-Paul’s disparaging remarks floated in her head, but she quickly shut them down.
“Okay, hang on. I’ll flip the camera so you can see the magic,” Liam said, getting right to it.
The view shifted, showing Zoe’s shop, where her display had just been revealed.
“Merry Christmas” was spelled out in giant block letters—each one overflowing with blooms. Red roses, white carnations, green mums, and sprigs of holly packed every letter, the colors rich and festive, like something out of a holiday card. Twinkling lights outlined each letter, making the flowers glow against the snowy backdrop.
Cassidy leaned closer to the screen, smiling despite the ache in her head. “She filled the letters with actual flowers?” She gasped. “Zoe outdid herself.”
“It’s pretty awesome,” Liam agreed, angling the camera so she could see the crowd clapping and cheering. “Everyone’s loving it.”
She leaned her head against the cushion, a smile tugging at her lips despite the fever. “Thank you for this. I didn’t realize how much I needed to feel part of it.”
“You are part of it,” he said quietly. “Even if you’re watching from the couch wrapped in a blanket burrito.”
Her eyes filled with sudden tears. “I really like you, Liam.”
“I know,” he said, grinning. “I like you too. Now rest. I’ll call you in the morning, yeah?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
He gave the screen a little salute. “Goodnight, Cassidy.”
The call ended, but she didn’t move. She sat there watching the last flickers of Zoe’s lights from her window, Muff’s warm body curled against her side, her heart full despite everything.
She may have missed the crowd, but she hadn’t missed the moment.
And the truth was, Liam had been her favorite part of it all.
THIRTY-TWO
LIAM
Friday, December 12th
Liam hadn’t been sure if he should call Cassidy or not. It was hard not to worry, hard not to imagine her curled up on the couch, pale and sniffling, trying to wave him off with that stubborn little smile of hers. He hadn’t wanted to wake her if she was finally getting some rest, but he knew how badly she’d hate to miss Zoe’s light-up night.
Even after he hung up the phone, he stayed out front, leaning against the lamppost across from Zoe’s flower shop. Kids were running around, laughing and throwing snowballs at each other. Zoe beamed, her cheeks flushed with pride. She was taking photos with the mayor and a couple of excited tourists, clearly in her element.
Jackson stood off to the side, helping Zoe adjust a strand of twinkle lights that had slipped, his hands steady as he looped it back around the post. Liam was surprised to see his brother there, but then again, Jackson and Zoe had always been close.
Liam wasn’t sure if it was Zoe’s grounded, down-to-earth personality or the way she somehow made every space feel calmer, but Zoe was good for Jackson. She always had been.Even as kids, she was the one who coaxed Jackson out of his shell, convinced him to play pretend kitchen and decorate mud pies with “sprinkles” (which were actually pine needles). Seeing them together now—Zoe laughing at something Jackson murmured as they worked side by side—gave Liam a rare sense of relief. It was like watching his brother come back to life, piece by piece.
Watching them made Liam realize how much he missed not having Cassidy there with him. It hit him harder than he expected. He crossed his arms, more to keep his feelings in than for warmth. He liked having her beside him. She made things brighter. Warmer. He wanted her there, not just tonight, but always.
