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“Hey, it’s fine. I’m fine.” He pulls my wandering hands away from his groin and my eyes finally catch his. Heat spreads across my face in holy embarrassment. I’m speechless. I can’t believe I’d just fondled him, but I also can’t complain because, hello, Mr. Perfect.
“Here, let me get you a new drink. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to spin so quickly, and I didn’t know you were that close and…”Great, now I’m mumbling like an idiot.I internally roll my eyes at myself.I did not just do that.
“I’m Oliver.” He shakes his shirt out a little before offering his hand for me to shake. I eagerly return the gesture before realizing I probably look crazy and should tone it down.
“Oh, Willow. Nice to meet you…” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear nervously. My eyes cross paths with his again. Oh, definitely not blue, but that’s okay.
His eyes are a sensational shade of whiskey, and I want to get drunk on them. He smiles at me and I don’t know why I didn’t see those cute little dimples a couple minutes ago from across the room.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the woman he was with earlier walking toward us. She’s tan, dark-haired, perfectly dressed, and the kind of beauty that most women envy. No wonder she snagged Oliver. I’d expect nothing less.
“So…” I clear my throat. “Can I buy you a new drink?” I nod at his empty beverage that spilled when I hit him. A simple friendly gesture, that’s all.
“How about a raincheck on that? Say instead of a drink, let’s get coffee another time.” A brush off…delightful.
A traitorous smile still paves its way across my face. “I would love to, but no.” And I really mean it because why wouldn’t I want to get a drink with this guy? Except for the teeny tiny factor of him already having a girl.
“Ol, we’ve got to go. The showing at the gallery starts soon and we promised Thomas we’d be there.” The dark-haired beauty from earlier pipes up behind us.
My heart sinks.Right, they’re dating.Before I can say anything else, she’s dragging him out of the coffee shop behind her. A quick glance, a wink my way, and he’s gone.
Snap out of it, Willow, he’s got a girl already.I remind myself. I don’t need to deal with that type of thing. Homewrecker will never be on my resume.
I’ve seen too much bad shit happen from affairs.
My eyes trail over the Christmas decorations on display in the coffee shop window. The window has been frosted to mimic snow. A miniature village lines the window. Townspeople frolic here and there between the shops, probably finding the best Christmas gifts for loved ones.
Little figurines skate on ice throughout town square, passing the annual Christmas tree with each glide around the rink. As people walk down the street, they’re surrounded by light beams scattered from the garland streamed light poles on every block. Horses observe passersby, waiting to take them on a magical ride around town. Groups of little houses are lined up like Lego’s on the hillside behind the miniature town in front of me. Each window of each house is alive with tiny fake candles. Some have lights on the bushes out front while others have them lined across the roof.
A man is dipping his woman in the middle of the street as he plants a kiss on her lips. Talk about the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen.
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. There’s not a thing I don’t love about it. This little town of Whiskey Run goes all out. The old vintage carousel even gets decorated for Christmas. You name it, we’ve got it!
Twelve days of Christmas that allow us to live in the magical world of lights and creation. It’s all about the mistletoe hanging from doorways everywhere, intimate family gatherings, decorations on Christmas trees, ice skating in the town square, celebrating the lighting of another Christmas tree, and snowflake kisses. Now, if only I could spend a white Christmas with a special someone, I’d be happy.
I hear my name called from across the room, snapping me out of my Oliver and Christmas trance. My eyes turn to find Corbin walking my way, a smile plastered across his almost perfect face. The look of a player. I’ve met many like him in these last twenty-four years.
“Looks like you spilled a drink there, can I buy you another one?” His smile is charming, and I almost fall into his kindness.Almost.
“You know, I think I’m actually going to head out for the evening. My day starts pretty early tomorrow.” I smile politely.
He tips an invisible hat. “Well, it was nice to meet you, Willow. Hopefully, we’ll meet again soon.”
“Sure… maybe.” I turn to leave without the refill I so desperately want. The bell on the door dings as I leave, and I’m met with an all too familiar smell. One of my favorites this time of year. It smells like snow. Lorelai Gilmore is my witness, you can smell snow coming.
I get to my car before I feel the first flake drop onto the tip of my nose. My eyes drift skyward and I can see the night sky is alight with parking lot lights and the white crystalline flakes of frozen water.
It makes me happy.
There’s something about snow falling that brings new beginnings, a fresh new look on the world.
Maybe it’s wrong to put so much faith in one tiny moment. My mother always tells me I’m too much a dreamer, that the world isn’t as good as I make it out to be. But if she can’t believe it, then I’ll believe for her.
Ten minutes later, I’m pulling into my driveway. The headlights twinkle off the few lights I’ve already started putting up around the house, and I can’t help but admire the little cottage I’d purchased last year with the help of a loan from the bank. One day this place will be fully mine, and I can’t wait to fill it with a family.
The snow continues to fall, spotlighted by my headlights. Tiny frozen flakes of happiness. It’s starting to really come down, leaving a coating on the road and grass outside of my house.
I turn off the engine before I exit the car. My footsteps are gentle as I slowly approach the house, hoping not to fall. I’m practicing the walk-like-a-penguin ice walk, shuffling from side to side.
