The group turns to me. It takes me a beat to remember I’m his girlfriend. I raise my hand awkwardly. “Hi, I’m Finley. I’ve never been caroling before, so thanks for including me.”
Anita groans. “You’ve got to be kidding me. The girl’s never caroled before? I’m not showing her the ropes.”
To my surprise, Alex wraps an arm around my shoulders. “It’s not like this is rocket science. I’ll show her.”
“If it is like rocket science,” one of the men cracks, “then maybe your brother the engineer should be teaching her.”
Alex’s arm tightens around me. “I think I’ve got it,” he says flatly.
I take the pamphlet, relieved to see the songs are printed inside. I recognize every single one—even the obscure ones—but keep it just in case.
“Okay, everyone,” pamphlet lady says, “Let’s head out!”
“Autobots unite!” Mallory cries and Alex snickers.
“I heard that,” an older man mutters as he passes with a glare.
“I meant you to,” she says sweetly, then he cracks a smile despite himself.
“I’m sure there’s an inside joke there,” I whisper, holding back a laugh.
“Years ago, they used to dress up in themes,” Alex says, lighter than I’ve heard him since the airport. “One year, Fred over there—” he gestures toward the man “—showed up as a Transformer and yelled that. It stuck.” His eyes are bright, and his laugh is easy. And for a second, I just stare. I’ve never seen him look happier.
There’s no doubt he’s handsome, but when he smiles like that, he seems more approachable. More real.
Which is ridiculous. How can someone look more real? It’s not like he’s a robot. Maybe what I mean is that, for the first time, he looks like someone I could have something in common with.
“Did you dress up?” I ask, my guard slipping a little.
“Yep. We Kings always did family themes. That year I was Woody and Tyler was Buzz. Mallory and Grant got stuck being the aliens from the claw machine.”
Mallory groans. “I’m still bitter about it.”
“I’d love to see photos,” I say.
“Oh, I’m sure Mom will dig out the albums,” Alex warns, grinning.
“Yep,” Mallory sighs. “She likes you. You’re doomed.”
Valerie waves from the door. “Okay, troublemakers. Let’s get this show on the road.”
We all grin at being called troublemakers, and a mischievous glint sparks in Alex’s eyes, like he feels obligated to live up to it.
We spill out into the cold. Mallory giggles ahead of me, and Alex’s hand brushes against the small of my back as he guides me through the doorway. Maybe it’s the afterglow of seeing him so happy, but I feel a quiet rush of anticipation wash through me. For a few seconds, this feels right—like I’m supposed to be here, with him.
You’re being ridiculous. Didn’t I just tell myself not to fall for this?
Martha instructs us to pair off and walk two by two toward the center of the square, singing “Silent Night”. She starts, and everyone else joins in. Their voices are so perfectly blended, I expect a record executive to appear out of nowhere and offer them a record deal.
But I stop dead in my tracks, my gaze sweeping over the square.
The ground is paved in herringbone-patterned stones that glisten with a dusting of snow. Gas lamps line the sidewalks, each pole decked with wreaths, giant candy canes, Santas and reindeer. To one side, an outdoor skating rink hums with laughter from the dozen or so skaters. At the far end of the square, stands a small shack with a lit-up sign labeled Santa’s Workshop. If I squint, I swear I see the reindeer Alex told me about in a pen beside it. Near the rink, a towering Christmas tree sparkles with hundreds of twinkling lights as snow drifts softly down.
It's breathtaking. Magical.
“Is it everything you’d hoped it would be?” Alex asks quietly beside me.
I look up at him, tears stinging my eyes. “It’s more.”
