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This made me turn around and look at the hand he was holding out toward me. Nestled in the black leather glove he was wearing was a to-go coffee cup from Berry Good Coffee. Before raising my eyes to meet his, I took in the rest of his outfit. His usual go-to slacks were present, and he was wearing a puffy coat open over an emerald half-zip sweater. I couldn’t tell what level on the just-fucked scale his hair was today, as he had an adorable grey beanie pulled down over his ears, really completing the whole business-guy-goes-to-Aspen vibe he had going on.
“I know you’re partial to Jitters’ peppermint mochas, but I thought I’d pay you back for the coffee from last week. And I figured you might need a break from the sugar rush. This is my favorite winter drink. A flat white with cinnamon sprinkled on top.”
“Oh. Thanks. I mean, you did get me lunch last week. But I showed you mine...I mean, my favorite drink, so I’m happy to try yours.”
Cole looked guarded as I brought the cup to my mouth, taking a cautious sip in case it was still scalding hot. After all the things we had shared with each other, it seemed that opening up to taste something that was his “favorite” was still an uncomfortable situation for him. The coffee was smooth and a little bitter, with the cinnamon adding a warm, distinct flavor to the overall profile. Forget Christmas in a cup. This drink was Cole in a cup.
“Wow, Cole, this is good. I may see if I can shock Susie by ordering it sometime instead of my usual.”
Cole smiled a relieved smile, pleased that he had shared another part of himself with me and I hadn’t thrown it back in his face.
“So, how are things going? All ready for the tree lighting?”
“Yes, I think I am. I never get over the nerves of speaking in front of a large group of people, but once I get up there and get going, I’ll be fine.”
“You know this festival and this town inside and out, and you get to talk about Christmas in an appropriate setting in front of people who are definitely interested. I think you were made for this opportunity.”
Even though he had gotten in a little dig about my Christmas enthusiasm, I could tell by looking in Cole’s eyes that the encouragement was sincere, and I felt my shoulders loosen a bit more, knowing he was here and on my side.
“So, did you come just to deliver coffee and a little bit of snark mixed with encouragement? Or are you actually here to stay for the tree lighting ceremony?”
Cole chuckled at me calling him out, but his eyes twinkled when he knew his pep talk had been well received.
“I thought I might stay for the ceremony, and also see if you need anything else. I can imagine that opening night must be another time you wish you could be in five places at once.”
How right he was.
“Well, if you’re offering, it would honestly be great to have you post up in the community command center for tonight. I think my volunteers have got things covered, but it being the first night, it would be nice to have a little back-up there. Then you’d be out of the cold too. Doesn’t the night air seep right through those slacks? Ever heard of jeans?”
That amused look still on his face, Cole continued to laugh at me. Honestly, he should really know that only encourages me by now.
“I’m happy to sit in the community center so you can be out here amid all your people. I may even have to take off a layer or two. I’ve got long johns on underneath here.”
The satisfied smirk on his face as we maintained eye contact let me know he was completely aware that my brain was battling between an image of him shirking off some layers or that ass in tight long john fabric. The moment was broken by Leroy, the tech guy I had hired to make sure everything ran smoothly tonight.
“Ms. Greene, I’m sorry to interrupt, but it’s 5:57 and you said you wanted to start at 6:00 sharp. Should I cut the music here in about two minutes?”
I took another sip of the Cole-in-a-cup drink that was rapidly cooling in my hand to gather myself before turning to face Leroy, all Christmas festival business focused once again.
“Thanks, Leroy, that’ll be perfect. And again, please, call me Blaire.”
Cole was still standing to my left and sensing that I was back in the festival zone, stuffed his hands in his pocket.
“Well, I’ll head out to the edge of the crowd so I can hear your welcome speech, and then book it over to the community center so I’m there when the lights are on and things get underway.”
I was glad that Cole would hear my festival intro but couldn’t help but be disappointed he wasn’t going to stay to watch the poem and the light countdown. But no matter how many times I tried to trick him into a festive spirit, Christmas just wasn’t his thing, and I wasn’t going to force it.
“That’ll be great. There’s a walkie-talkie in the center you can reach me on if you need me during the evening.”
At this, Cole turned and walked down the gazebo steps, and I rearranged the papers on my clipboard, so my opening remarks were front and center, even though I had been writing them since the day the council called about the job last winter.
Right at 5:59, the music cut out, and I made my way down the gazebo steps to the small stage we had erected next to the Christmas tree. A hush fell over the crowd briefly when they noticed the music was no longer playing over the speakers, then a buzz of excitement and anticipation arose as the townspeople and visitors alike anticipated getting the festival underway. I noticed my parents, sister, brother-in-law, Brad, and the twins were in the front of the crowd. I made eye contact with my dad while he beamed at me, knowing this was a culmination of a lot of work and planning.
At 6:00 p.m. on the dot, I approached the microphone, took a deep breath, tucked my hair behind my ear with my free hand, and got ready to set the train off down the tracks.
“Hello everyone, and welcome to the 116th annual Holly Ridge Christmas Festival! My name is Blaire Greene and I have the distinct honor of being your Holly Ridge Christmas Festival planner this year! I was born and raised right here in Holly Ridge and grew up coming to these festivals with my parents and friends. I wanted to honor the traditions of the festival that many of us know and love, while moving it forward to welcome and draw in a new generation of festival lovers like Olive Martinez, who you’ll hear from in just a minute. All the businesses around the square are done up in their holiday best to welcome you in, the Christmas Market right here will open as soon as the tree lights are on, and the ice rink is smooth and polished, just waiting for you to glide on it, over next to Al’s General Store. We have gingerbread houses and a history of the festival waiting for you to view in the community center, along with first aid and festival service volunteers should you need anything while you’re here. A special event of some sort is planned each day and night, leading up to the Gingerbread Ball on New Year’s Eve—tickets are still available!”
I took a deep breath, wishing I could see Cole’s face before I delivered the next, more emotional, part of my welcome. This part I had been mulling over since our research adventure to the Winterberry Glen library and had finally found the words just in the last two weeks.
