He hesitates, turning the ornament over in his hand. “I’ll leave it here. Who knows. Hopefully I’ll do this with you guys again next year.”
His words land slow and soft, folding themselves around melike a warm blanket on a cold day.Next year.It’s such a simple phrase, but it catches me so off guard my breath catches. Not once since my divorce have I allowed my mind to wander this far. But hearing Tyler say things like that, well, a very large part of me believes he means it.
He’s not like any man I’ve ever met. Tyler moves through life gently, making the space he occupies feel safer than it was before he arrived. I look at his hand cradling Abby’s old ornament and wonder, would he hold my heart that gently in his hand? Maybe, just maybe, I want him here with us again next year, too.
The only thing remaining is the star for the top of the tree, which I can never get right, despite dragging out my stepladder. The tree is too tall even when I extend my arm as far as it’ll go. Climbing to the third step, I rise to my tiptoes, but feel myself wobble.
“Good grief, woman. You’ll fall and break something. Let me help.”
Tyler steps onto the second rung of the ladder, reaching around to take the star from my hand. One strong arm wraps around my middle, tugging my back to his front, while the other situates the star perfectly on top of the tree.
I should probably worry that we’ll both topple over, but with Tyler here I’ve never felt steadier. My head tips back until it finds the solid warmth of his chest and he sweeps his hand down my arm letting it settle on my hip. My breath is caught in my lungs, standing on this precipice of…something. Seconds tick by, but neither of us move. But then Tyler presses his lips to my temple, soft and firm all at the same time.
“Perfect,” he whispers against my skin, before releasing me from his embrace. And I don’t know if he means the tree or me.
With all the decorations up, Tyler quietly takes every boxback to the attic, and when he’s finished, he heads to the front door to take his leave. I watch him slide his tennis shoes back on, grasping for a reason to see him again, to simply be around him. Then I remember Abby’s band concert is in two days.
“Hey, I haven’t reminded you, but Abby’s band concert is Monday. I’d like for you to come.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Mom and Dad will be there, too.” Tyler’s eyes light up at that reminder. “You heard my mom on Thanksgiving. She extended her trip for it.”
“I hate that I haven’t had more time to get to know her.”
Tyler nods. “There’s time, Jo.”
I take a deep breath, attempting to steady my pounding heart. The way he says my name, soft with that southern lilt, feels like a promise. “Anyway, thanks for helping today.” I tilt my head toward the Christmas tree.
“Of course, Jo. Any chance to be with you guys.” He taps the doorframe twice with his knuckles and heads to his car, tugging his beanie back down onto his head.
Right before he climbs in, he turns, and I give him my goofy salute. Tyler grins and mimics the motion, bringing a laugh from my lips. And I’m hit with this feeling. It’s a slow realization, the kind that builds quietly until it becomes impossible to ignore. The facts start lining up, each small moment stacked on top of the other like evidence, and I’m left with the fragile but thrilling truth. Maybe the person who makes my heart race feels it too. Maybe he does really like me, and despite all my fears, I feel the same.
I head to my art room, trying but failing to wipe the silliest of grins off my face. Down the hallway, I hear Jay’s video game and Abby’s music playing. I walk past their rooms to my art room, but right as I’m about to shut my door, Abby yells, “Mom’s got a crush!”
Then Jay’s responding shout of, “That’s disgusting, Abby!”
“Tyler, you have flowers, right?” my mom asks from the passenger seat. She’s clutching her own bouquet, and my dad even has a second bouquet that Mom bought for him to present to Abby at the end of her concert. Before I respond, my dad picks up the bouquet I had the town florist arrange and waves them in the air.
“Calm down, Ashley. Tyler knows what he’s doing.” My dad’s words are confident, and while I appreciate them, the truth is I don’t have a clue what I’m doing. Not with Jo, not with any of this. But my dad’s faith in me feels great.
“I know, Brad. I just want Abby to be showered in love tonight.”
“Pretty sure Penny has flowers as well, Mom. And I’m sure Jo does. She’s a great mom.”
My mom’s smile softens, then she turns to look at me, eyes curious. “That she is. She’s also intelligent and beautiful. How are things going there? Penny told me aboutOperation Woo Josie.”
“There is noOperation Woo Josie, Mom. Penny’s scheming is all. I’m trying to get to know my daughter.” That half-truth doesn’t sit right with me.
Mom’s brow arches, catching the lie in a heartbeat. “Whatever you say, son. Whatever you say.”
My dad chuckles from the backseat, and I catch his reflection in the rearview mirror. “Let’s say, for argument’s sake, there was this ‘Operation Woo Josie’”—I make air quotes—“how would it work?”
Before Dad can answer, Mom jumps in. “I knew it! I knew the minute you laid eyes on her at Friendsgiving that this was something different.”
“What does that mean?” I glance at Mom and back to the road.
“Like everything and everybody around you ceased to exist. Like, even if you tried fighting it, you’d be drawn to her and her to you.” Mom turns and smiles at my dad. “That’s how it was for your dad and me.”
My dad hums his agreement. “It’s true. I pretty much knew immediately your mom would be my wife. I was a goner the minute I saw her.”
