Page 70 of The Holiday Makeover

I pointed to the woman standing ten feet away, bouncing like Tate might leap off the float, marry her on the spot, and start a family by New Year’s. She’d probably have Lily in a headlock before she could get out a full boo.

Which, admittedly, would be a sight.

Not that Lily would go down easily. While petite, she was no wilting flower. She was a black belt in tae kwon do, and now that she was a mother, she had somehow evolved into an even scarier life-form.

Honestly, my money was on Lily.

Lily scoffed. “Let her come at me.”

See? Scary.

Shay shook his head at his wife and smiled. “Babe, maybe let’s sit this one out. I don’t think any of us want to end up on Tate’s special. Especially in handcuffs.”

Lily shrugged as she kissed Jasper’s cheek. “I don’t know. It might add a little something to it. Spice things up. Because, seriously, does the world really need a Tate homecoming special?”

I giggled, and so did the twins, as if they understood exactly what their mommy was saying.

And though she made a fair point, I was beginning to think she was wrong. Not only did Tate’s fans want this special, but I was beginning to think Tate needed it.

That we needed it.

Maybe this ridiculous homecoming circus was exactly what Tate needed to remember Aspen Lake had never stopped being his home.

“I think we should change the twins’ diapers before the tree lighting,” Shay shouted over the crowd. That was his way of saying maybe it was time to drop the subject.

It was probably for the best.

Lily and Tate were both my best friends. I hoped someday they could learn to do more than tolerate each other.

Lily nodded, but then she asked, “Will you be okay by yourself?”

“I’ve got it,” I promised. I had to be a big girl.

Or better yet, a brave, non-insecure woman.

I was working on it.

When Lily and Shay disappeared into the crowd, I decided I should probably make my way to the town square and find a good spot to watch Tate. His mom had offered me one in the VIP circle with her and Dominic. Those two hadn’t exactly mended things, from the sound of it. But Veronica was trying to be supportive. And, of course, Dominic was loving this turn of events. His son was the town’s superstar again.

And because of the nature of this homecoming special, Tate didn’t think picking a fight with his dad was the best idea right now. But I worried they would keep sticking a pin in their issues instead of actually resolving them.

That prospect didn’t bode well for any of us.

But one worry at a time. At the moment, I was just trying not to lose myself. To not doubt Tate’s love for me. I could be a supportive, behind-the-scenes girlfriend.

Right?

Of course I could.

I totally had this.

I would just keep telling myself that until it was true.

I shimmied through the crowd, shoulders bumping mine and cold air biting at my cheeks, the scent of kettle corn and hot chocolate following me like holiday peer pressure that I was absolutely going to give in to. I had no choice. Pretty sure Santa required it. Or at least Coco would have. She loved the Christmas parade. She probably would have gotten a real kick out of watching Tate play the crown prince of Aspen Lake. Or would she have worried about this turn of events?

Hmmm.

Thinking of Coco, I spotted Eden looking gorgeous in a classic cream cashmere coat, her long waves spilling out from beneath her beanie like she belonged in a some luxury Christmas ad.