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Jonathan changed the subject. “I better get home. Shower. Help my mom set up for tonight. Do you want to meet up later to get some more work done? I’ll have a couple hours before dinner.”

Phoebe deflated, then mentally scolded herself for even entertaining the idea of being invited to his family’s dinner. They may have reconnected, but nothing was repaired between them. They weren’t friends. They were potential business partners and former classmates.

She swallowed dryly, wishing she had some water. “Sure. I’ll probably throw some more stuff in the Google doc today. I don’t have much else to do.” She instantly regretted the words. “Which is what I wanted. Some alone time to disconnect and… recharge.”

Jonathan pressed his lips together to hide a smile. He knew exactly how much of an extrovert Phoebe was, but he didn’t say anything. “Okay, well, I’ll text you?”

“Sounds good.”

Jonathan dropped Phoebe off at Flamingo Cottage, leaving her to what suddenly seemed like an endless stretch of solitude.

Chapter 12

Arden

Wrapped in their coats and hats, Sam and Arden hurried outside into the cold. They walked down the street, holding hands tightly to avoid slipping in the fresh snow, both jubilant at what felt like a daring escape.

“We made it without my mom noticing.” Sam grinned at her. He dropped her hand as they turned a corner, slowing their pace.

“What would’ve happened if she saw us leave?”

Sam shrugged. “She would have made us stay.”

“And where are we going, exactly? Because it’s freezing out here.” Arden hugged herself, her peacoat not doing much to keep out the frigid night air. But she had to admit, she didn’t really mind. The stately houses around them glowed with Christmas lights. Most of them were white, the kind of lights that are so precise they had to have been professionally installed. Occasionally, they passed a house strung with colorful bulbs or a light-up reindeer in the yard. Arden had never put Christmas lights on Flamingo Cottage. It felt like too much to do by herself. Someday, if she had a partner to help, she would go all out with the holiday decorations.

“You’ll see.”

They turned another corner and crossed the street to a small park. It was little more than a couple of benches and a grassy area that was now dusted with snow.

“This is cute,” Arden said. In reality, it was a little creepy, all deserted in the dark.

“The park? That’s not why we’re here.”

Sam reached for her hand again, and Arden felt a little thrill of excitement when he pulled her closer. He pointed into the distance. The park overlooked the city. It was beautiful: quiet and lit up with festive lights as far as the eye could see.

“Oh!” Arden exclaimed. “The Space Needle!”

They had a perfect view of the tower, which was bedecked with lights in the shape of a red-and-green Christmas tree on top. Around it, the buildings of downtown Seattle reflected the lights and the snow.

“Is this Kerry Park?”

“It is!” Sam seemed surprised that she knew.

“It’s on my list!”

“Your list?”

Arden faltered, embarrassed that she had brought it up. “I have a list of things I wanted to do in Seattle. Some blog said that you have to see the view from Kerry Park.”

“Well, that blog was right. And I’m happy I could help you check something off your list.”

They looked at the skyline for a while, shoulder to shoulder. Arden had to resist the urge to lean against him.

“Thank you for showing me this.”

“You can go inside the Space Needle, you know. There’s a gift shop and a restaurant at the top. It spins.”

“A spinning restaurant?” Arden laughed at the idea. “I think this is just about perfect, right here.”