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“I’m ready, but the sugar cookies aren’t. I’ve made a mess of them.” She swallows and I see the disappointment.
“Forget about the cookies.” I hold up the intricately frosted roof of the house and take a bite out of the corner. “I have an idea. Let’s film the closing in front of the real sugar cookie display at the tree lighting. You know, the one beside Broken Ornament? I know the Sinclair family doesn’t miss the tree lighting for anything, so I’ll tag along. It’ll be like high school all over again. We can film the ending there super quickly and I’ll edit it together last minute. Problem solved.”
Her eyes light up. “Nathan, that is brilliant! You would do that?”
“As it turns out, I’d do anything for you. You have me wrapped around that little finger and I think you know it,” I say, giving her a wink.
“I think I’m starting to believe that.”
My eyes lock with hers, and the world falls away. Her breath hitches in anticipation. She leans in, her breath warm against my cheek, daring me to meet her lips. My heart thunders in my chest, and I feel dizzy with longing to stay this close to her forever.
The smell of her sweet cinnamon perfume wraps around me as I lean in and brush my lips against hers again. I feel the warmth radiating from her body, and it sends a shiver through me.
We stay there and the world quiets around us. The kiss feels like an eternity. Our lips moving in perfect harmony, almost as if they had known each other for a lifetime. When we finally pull apart, I feel my cheeks flush. I look into her eyes and smile. She smiles back, her cheeks a warm, rosy pink.
“Do you want to go somewhere with me?” I stand and pull her to her feet.
“Now? Nathan, it’s the middle of the night.”
“I know. That’s what makes it the perfect time. I want to show you, to be a part of the one holiday tradition left in my life.”
“Okay.” The ghost of a smile plays on her lips. “I’d love that.”
It’s freezing outside. Holly climbs into my truck, and we make the ten-minute drive to my house in a blissful haze. When we step inside, I put a fire on and give her a blanket to settle onto the couch. I search for my old DVD of It’s a Wonderful Life.
“I watch this every year,” I say, blowing the dust off my DVD player. “It’s something Mom used to force on me. I hated it back then, but now I’d give anything to watch it with her one more time. It’s like I can feel her beside me when it plays. I thought maybe you would want to watch it with me this year.”
Holly’s eyes glisten, and she blinks back tears. “I’d love to watch it with you. Thank you for sharing that with me. You’ve got the biggest heart hidden in there, after all.” She holds her blanket and pats the seat cushion beside her.
Holly and I sit side by side watching the movie that shaped all my Christmas’s growing up. Having her here with me feels right. There’s a peace that settles over me as she nestles her head into my chest. But I’m not tired. I stay wide awake because I don’t want to miss a single minute of being this close to her.
By the time the credits roll on screen, she’s fast asleep. I kiss the top of her head and tuck her into the couch for the night. When I head to my room, I think about the gorgeous woman who is changing everything for me. A life with Holly feels so close I could reach out and touch it and she’s everything I ever wanted.
Eight
Holly
The next day, I float through my morning Christmas shopping trip with Mom on the memory of my night with Nathan. The buzz of electricity stays with me as we weave our way through the throng of people packing the wide aisles of Christmas Town’s Holiday Bizarre.
Despite Mom’s cheerful chit-chat, I can’t bring myself to focus on anything other than Nathan. The connection between us has become so much more than the schoolgirl crush it started as. Knowing that I’m going to see him again tonight has me giddy.
By early afternoon, we explode back through Mom’s front door with a dozen handmade treasures. She has goat’s milk soap, homemade peanut brittle, and a hand-stitched pillow that says, Santa Stop Here. I came home with a peppermint candle for every member of the production team at work.
I’m exhausted, but there’s something satisfying about finding the perfect present for each person in my life. It’s part of what makes the Christmas Town Bizarre so special. Besides, Mom has always been my favorite shopping partner.
Mom turns on a Christmas album, then sits on the couch among her treasures and puts her feet up on the coffee table. She looks tired and I can appreciate that. I could go for a nap before our long night.
“Are you sure you’re gonna make it down to the tree lighting tonight? It’s kind of the kick-off to the most important time of year,” I laugh. I don’t need to remind Mom. She hasn’t missed a tree lighting in over a decade.
“Of course I am. I’m just taking a little break, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world. That tradition is the only thing in this house older than me.”
While Mom recovers, I spend the afternoon humming along to the classics while wrapping each present with care. Before I know it, the sun has set, and it’s time to head downtown. I get my full face of on-camera makeup ready in minutes. Time flies when you are about to see the man you’re in love with.
Excitement courses through me and I load up my car with all the essentials. By the time Mom gets into the passenger seat, I’ve got a canteen of hot chocolate, gloves, and hand warmers ready to go. I drive the few-mile stretch between us and the tree-lighting outside of Broken Ornament Cat Café with my heart thudding against my chest, and my mind moving a hundred miles per hour.
I wonder if Nathan will hold my hand tonight. I wonder if we’ll just tell Hudson and Mom about us at the same time. I wonder if Nathan will make it official first. By the time we find parking on the crowded streets of downtown, I can hardly wait. This night means the world to me.
Buzz. Buzz.
