“I was hoping that’d be the case.” Hal grabbed three pieces of chocolate and put them in the center of the table. I did the same with my last three chocolates. “I think spending time here has been good for you, including the time you’ve spent with Lily.” Hal raised his brows, a knowing look on his face. There was no way he knew about our kiss. But then, what was up with that look? “Sounds like you two had a nice dinner.”
No, of course, he didn’t know. He was commenting about the dinner and that wehadto be spending time together because of the list.
“I’ve liked spending time with her,” I admitted. “I didn’t anticipate enjoying it so much, but…” I paused, carefully thinking through my words. “But I’ve liked getting to know her and learning about the town from her. She’s incredibly talented and kind, and I’ve never met anyone like her. She lights up whatever room she’s in, brightens the mood immediately. She’s…sunshine. I don’t think she even realizes the positive impact she has on others.”
“I thought the same thing when I first met your grandmother,” Hal admitted, a nostalgic smile on his face as his eyes twinkled. “She was one of a kind. Always put others first but also didn’t hesitate to speak her mind if she didn’t like how something was being done. When you find a woman like that and you’re lucky enough to get an ounce of her attention, you don’t let go.”
I focused on what Hal was saying about Vera, because if I thought too deeply, I would start to wonder if my time with Lily could turn into something more—and it couldn’t.
But I wondered what about us together made Hal say that. Was it our dinner? The time spent together at the café? Something else he saw?
I flicked my thumb along the edge of the cards, fairly confident I was going to lose this round, too. “Will you tell me more about Vera?”
“Be careful what you ask, son. How much time do you have?” Hal glanced over at the clock.
“I have all the time in the world.” I let out a low chuckle, shrugging. “And nowhere else I’d rather be.”
And I truly meant it.
The rest of the week went by quickly, and before I knew it, it was Christmas Eve, which meant the town’s Christmas festival and an opportunity to check off a few things on Lily’s wish list.
The two of us spent the morning together at the café as customers came in to pick up their orders. It all went well. Tiffany’s husband was able to stay back with the kids, so she was able to come in and help Lily. In fact, Lily had a whole team today with the help of her mom, friends, Tiffany, and me. All the orders were made on time, and pickup was a breeze. She handled everything with confidence and excitement—while wearing a Santa hat. She looked fucking adorable.
Once all the orders were picked up, Lily closed the café early for the day, and as if right on cue, the first snowfall of the winterstarted and hadn’t stopped. Thick, heavy flakes had been falling for the last six hours, at least. I lost count of how many times I went outside to shovel Hal’s driveway and sidewalk.
Most people, including Lily, were thrilled about the timing of the snow.A Christmas miracle, she’d said.
My Christmas miracle would be once all the lights and decorations got taken down.
I’d gone back inside from the latest round of shoveling snow and was prepared to start getting ready for tonight when my phone rang. “Hey, Liam. What’s up?” I answered, holding the phone up with my shoulder while pulling off my gloves and hat.
“Merry Christmas Eve, man!” I could tell Liam was grinning without seeing him, the joy radiating over the call. “I know you’ll likely turn me down, but you know I have to remind you anyway. There’s a spot with your name on it if you want to join my family for the holidays, either today, tomorrow, or both.”
Even though I’d never taken Liam up on it, he always called and offered. No matter what. “Thanks, man, but I actually have plans of my own this year. I’m not working for once and…I’m spending both days in Golden Falls.”
“No shit.” Liam chuckled. “That’s great. What’re you up to?”
Liam and I had texted here and there over the weeks, so I’d been able to fill him in on how things had been going at the café, getting through Lily’s list, and reconnecting with Hal. What I hadn’t told him about was the kiss.
“Things have gotten…interesting around here,” I said slowly. “I’m going to the Christmas festival tonight with Lily.”
“Lily,” he said, not missing a beat. “Theblue-eyed blondeyou haven’t been able to stop talking about?”
“I don’t remember not being able to stop talking about her,” I argued, although there was hesitation in my voice. Had I been talking that much about her? “And I’m only talking about her because we have to complete this list together.”
“Uh huh.” Liam sounded unconvinced. “Are you two going to this Christmas festival together as a date?”
“No,” I said quickly. A little too quickly, apparently, because Liam barked a laugh. “Not a date at all. There’s a couple things on her list that we’ll be able to check off tonight. I’m also spending Christmas with her, her family, and Hal tomorrow.”
“Sounds festive,” Liam said, and I could imagine his grin. “And romantic.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You do know how this goes, right?” Liam asked, as if it was obvious. When I didn’t say anything, he continued. “First, you’re going to start to love Christmas because it’ll remind you of her…and then you’re going to fall in love with Lily. Haven’t you seen a romantic comedy?”
“Uh, no, I haven’t, actually.”
“We’ll change that as soon as you’re back. But, anyways, did you not hear what you said? You have actual plans for the holidays and aren’t working. I’ve been trying to get you to come over for dinner for years, but becauseLilyasked…” He trailed off, amusement lacing his voice.
