Page 77 of The Forever Christmas Tree

While the band took a break, Laura called Wendy off to the side. Ethan didn’t know what was being said by Laura (probably something snarky about him). Wendy at first looked stunned.

I don’t recall doing anything that snark-worthy.

But then, Wendy was laughing, hilariously.

I don’t recall anything particularly funny, either. But then, Laura’s idea of funny and mine would be totally different. She would consider it hilarious if I tripped and fell and broke my nose.

In the end, Laura handed Wendy something which she slipped into the side pocket of her dress.

A dagger, maybe?

“What was that about?” he asked when Wendy returned.

Wendy rolled her eyes and said, “You don’t want to know!”

Yes, I do. I think.

After that, they were talking to Gabe and Matt about Bell Forge for a few moments when the band took the stage again. The female singer/guitarist spoke into the mic. “This next song is a special request.” And then her clear, surprisingly beautiful voice rang out with that old Whitney Houston song, “I Will Always Love You,” before the band joined in.

“She didn’t!” he and Wendy said at the same time and turned to glare at Laura who was standing by the stage.

Is that what the laughter was about? No, Wendy wouldn’t have allowed her to do this, nor would she find it funny.

The unapologetic meddler just grinned and gave them a little wave.

It had been their song in high school. Corny as that was. He and Wendy had been driving to the lighthouse, that first time they’d made love, when they were only sixteen years old. The song had been playing on his car radio.

With a sigh of resignation, Ethan stepped forward onto the dance floor and opened his arms.

Wendy didn’t hesitate, either. She put her hands behind his neck.

He looped his arms around her waist and tugged her closer.

With her face resting on his shoulder and his lips touching her hair, they swayed to the music. Young love/mature love melded. Forever became a hopeful possibility, at least while the song lasted.

Those who’d known Ethan and Wendy “back then” were touched. Those who hadn’t could tell that something special was happening.

Soon the dance floor was crowded with couples, but Wendy and Ethan felt like they were alone, sixteen, and deeply in love.

When the song was over, Wendy leaned back and said, “When Laura called me over to talk before, she mentioned that you’re still a bastard.”

“Nothing new there.” Why else would she pull the prank of this song? To punish me.

“She definitely doesn’t like you very much,” Wendy continued, “but—”

“I’m not too fond of her, either, by the way,” he interrupted.

“—then she gave me something.” Wendy reached into her pocket and pulled out a key, waving it in front of his face.

He frowned in puzzlement.

“It seems that Laura is going to stay here tonight and help Gabe clean up. She probably won’t be home until six a.m. when she needs to work on a special edition of her newspaper.”

Ethan was still confused. The key looked like a door key. Oh, good Lord! Was Laura offering them the use of her apartment for the night?

He arched his brows at Wendy.

She arched her brows back at him.