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“So call and ask her,” he said.
“Allen?”
He pivoted to look at her.
Did she poke her bottom lip out at him? “Please.”
The way she said it tugged at his heartstrings. From ribbons, garland, and ornaments, Heather’s love for Christmas shined. Checking his phone, Allen saw the cancellation of his next appointment.
“You have somewhere else to be?” she asked.
Allen sighed. “Alright.” Why did he agree?
***
Christmas music played over the loudspeaker as Heather balanced her weight on her crutch. The Christmas aisle at the store was a gold mine. Wreaths, garland, Santa hats, and Christmas lights for indoors and outdoors.
She shrieked. “This is awesome!”
“Will this take long?” Allen asked.
Raising an eyebrow, she chose a Santa hat and held it up to his face. “Tis the season.”
“No,” he said. “Can we find your lights please for your tree?”
She rolled her eyes and put the hat on her head instead. “Okay.” She tapped her fingers to her lips. “Multi-colored lights or clear?”
“Does it matter?”
She grinned at him. “You really don’t like this stuff?”
“I don’t mind it.”
“Well, I love what Christmas does for the town. We come together for other holidays, but we outdo ourselves at Christmas.”
Allen walked around her and chose an option of lights. Heather shook her head. He picked out another option until Heather lifted her chin to the shelf above her. “Just like them to be on the top shelf.”
Allen walked over, almost boxing her in between the shelf and his chest. Heather breathed in his fresh aftershave. He reached high enough for the box and brought it down in his hand. She didn’t move. With him so close, she could barely concentrate. Her heart skipped a beat while her fingers ached to touch him. Then she stared at him.
“Is this what you want?” he asked.
Heather reached for the box, only for her fingers to touch his. “I think so.”
“Anything else?” Why didn’t he move? Better question, why didn’t she want him to?
Her limbs tingled when Allen licked his lips. Reasons they wouldn’t work played in her mind like clips from a movie trailer. Crushing on Allen Richards, a terrible idea. Was it, though?
“Heather, good to see you on your feet,” someone said down the aisle.
Heather’s body jerked only to recognize one of her other neighbors. She waved and was grateful Mrs. Coleman didn’t want any conversation.
“Is there anything else?” Allen rubbed the back of his head.
“I’m good. We can go.”
“You haven’t been standing too long, have you?”
She shook her head. “I’m okay.”
