“Let’s go,” she said, grabbing her coat and turning off the lights one by one.
As we stepped out into the cold evening air, I realized I’d just agreed to something without even knowing what it would entail.
But maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
I stepped around the car and opened the passenger door for her. She shot me a surprised look, but her smile widened as she climbed in.
"Thanks," she said, settling into the seat.
I didn't respond, just closed the door and walked to the driver's side. Once inside, I started the engine and glanced at her. She was fiddling with her coat, looking a little nervous. I could feel her eyes on me every now and then, probably wondering what had changed my mind.
We drove toward the main part of town in silence. As we got closer, the streets became more congested with people milling about, all excited for the tree lighting ceremony. Lights twinkled from shop windows, and I could hear faint strains of Christmas music floating through the air.
"Parking is terrible," she murmured, craning her neck to see past a line of cars.
"I know a place," I replied, turning down a side street.
She looked at me with a mix of curiosity and relief. I navigated through a couple of backroads, my familiarity with this town guiding me effortlessly. Finally, we reached a small parking lot that was practically empty but only a block away from where they’d set up the massive Christmas tree.
"Where did you find this place?" she asked in awe, her eyes wide as she took in our surroundings.
I shrugged but muttered something about knowing the town well enough to avoid the crowds. Her smile made me feel like maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
We got out of the car and started walking toward the main square. The cold air nipped at my face, but there was something almost invigorating about it. Maybe it was Beth’s presence or just being out among people for once.
As we rounded the corner, the towering Christmas tree came into view, its lights casting a warm glow over everything. People were gathered around it, their faces lit with excitement and joy.
Beth slipped her arm through mine without warning. “Thanks for coming,” she said softly.
I didn't know what to say to that, so I just nodded and kept walking.
The tree was enormous, easily reaching the rooftops of the nearby buildings. It glittered with thousands of tiny lights, each one casting a warm, golden glow. Ornaments of every shape and size adorned its branches—hand-painted baubles, candy canes, and delicate glass figures that caught the light just right. The smell of pine mingled with the crisp winter air, creating an almost nostalgic scent.
As we got closer to the square, people turned and greeted Beth with cheerful smiles and waves.
"Hey, Beth!"
"Nice to see you, Beth!"
Their faces lit up even more when they saw her. She responded to each one with a smile or a nod but never let go of my hand.
I felt out of place in this sea of festivity. People I didn't know were smiling at me because I was with her. I gave curt nods in return, feeling like an intruder in a world where I didn't belong.
Beth’s grip on my hand tightened as we moved through the crowd. I glanced at her and saw that she looked more relaxed than I felt. Her smile was genuine, and it made me wonder how someone could be so comfortable in a situation like this.
We finally reached a spot near the base of the tree where we had a good view of everything. Kids ran around, their laughter filling the air as they played tag among the adults. Couples stood close together, their breath forming small clouds as they talked and laughed.
Beth turned to me with that same infectious smile. "Isn't it beautiful?" she asked, her eyes reflecting the twinkling lights above us.
"Yeah," I replied gruffly, unsure of what else to say.
She seemed content with my answer and leaned against me slightly as if seeking warmth or comfort. It was strange but not entirely unpleasant.
More people greeted Beth as they passed by, some giving me curious looks but mostly leaving us alone after a quick hello. Everyone seemed to know her. Everyone seemed to love her.
For a moment, standing there with her with all these people and their holiday cheer, I almost felt like part of something bigger—something I'd long since forgotten about.
Beth squeezed my hand again, drawing my attention back to her. Her eyes sparkled with unspoken gratitude or maybe something else entirely. I didn't know what it was, but I couldn't deny that being here with her felt... right.
