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“What’s your favorite booth, Theo?”
When I look around, trying to find something that’s appealing to me, she stops us. “Oh yeah. You don’t like Christmas booths.”
“Okay, okay. I didn’t used to like them. But I’m starting to understand their charm.”
She smiles and pumps her fist. “Yes. I knew this would all pay off.”
“You’re invested in me liking Christmas, huh? Why?”
“I want to share what’s important to me with you. You don’t have to love it. I guess when something’s magical to me, I can’t help but want the person I care about to feel it, too.”
She cares about me.
She cares about me.
Her gaze darts around and she bites her lip. “Oh, look! It’s the best blankets.” She rushes to the booth that houses rolls of fuzzy, silky soft blankets. She rubs her hand along several of them, lingering on the light-blue one.
“Is this your favorite booth, then?” I ask.
“That’s like asking me to pick my favorite child.”
“You askedmethat question!”
“You didn’t answer either.”
Aria’s Grandpa joins us, his shopping basket overflowing. “I’ll be over there,” he says, indicating the wassail stand, his brows waggling.
“Well, I’d better get over to the firm and get to work,” I tell her.
“It’s a Saturday,” she says.
“I’ve got to get ready for the Fleming hearing next week.”
She raises her chin. “Gotcha.” She flashes a brief smile. “Well, good luck.”
“Thank you.” I motion throughout the crowd. “Are you planning on staying and doing some shopping?”
She only nods, offering another smile that if I’m not mistaken, might be as full of yearning as my own. Or close.
“Time to be free of the costume,” I say, loosening my cravat so I can breathe.
“Theo, wait.”
Aria’s eyes are searching mine, and my heart starts to pound.
“I interviewed at a PR and branding firm in Highlands Ranch yesterday. They called me this morning to offer me the job. I start the beginning of the year.”
I’m not prepared for this, so I revert to my go-to, the joker. “Hey! Congrats. That’s really cool. That’s where I graduated from high school, so maybe if you go visit the school you’ll see some basketball trophies with my name on them. And some still unbroken records in cross country.” I dust off my shoulder like I’m all that.
Why am I doing this? This false bravado doesn’t work. It used to. But I don’t like it. So why do I go there every time I feel threatened?
Maybe because Highlands Ranch is an hour away.
Taking a deep breath, I tug her close and walk her around the corner where it’s quieter.
“Let me start over. Congratulations, Aria.” I take in everything about her and my knees almost buckle. “But please. Please tell me how I can still see you every day. I’ll move to Highlands Ranch in a heartbeat if that means I can keep sharing a wall with you.”
Chapter 28
