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Bells jingling in the background, Tanya let her shoulders slump, leaning against the side railing of the steps leading up to Blaire’s temporary studio apartment, her professional facade cracking slightly.
“Well, damn it. I was really rooting for you guys—the small-town charm, town feud, the dynamic between you and Blaire, it really spoke to me, and I was hoping she would be able to pull it off.”
“Yeah, I’m not looking forward to breaking the news to her, but I wouldn’t want her to hear from the City Council or anyone else. I feel like they wouldn’t handle it well.”
Tanya looked at me slyly. “I’m sure you could come up with a way to soften the blow.”
I swallowed a laugh. That’s the other reason Tanya and I were able to be collegial. She had picked up on the flirty, jealous vibes between Blaire and I, and while of course I had confirmed nothing, Tanya really was too good of a journalist to miss what apparently Blaire and I weren’t too good at hiding if you looked long and hard enough.
Tanya let out a soft laugh, shaking her head at my taciturn response.
“Well, looks like the parade is going to be starting any minute, if the volume of jingle bells is any indication. This is the last time I’ll probably make it to Holly Ridge this year. Are you sure I can’t convince you to blow off the state suits and come work for me?”
Tanya had managed to secure a streaming service show, so needed to bring on a full-time accountant to manage all her business ventures. She had been trying to convince me to take the gig over the last several weeks.
“I’m sure. I’ve been working toward this job at the capital for too long. It’s my next step.”
Tanya nodded and got up, her mauve-heeled, knee-high boots matching the shade of her long pea coat perfectly. She put her phone in her large handbag and secured it safely over her shoulder, ready to head out to the street to join the festivities.
“You know, Cole, just because it’s the way it’s always been, doesn’t mean it’s the way it has to be. Thanks for the chat. When you’re able to send me official confirmation on the financial status of Holly Ridge, will you let me know? I’ll see you around.”
With that, she disappeared into the crowd of people, leaving me in the shadows next to Jitters. Cryptic one-liners hadn’t been Tanya’s style in the short time I knew her, but in this case, she was wrong. It was time to keep moving on and leave the past behind me.
I pulled my phone out of my messenger bag, realizing I hadn’t had a chance to check in with Blaire to see how the rehearsal went and how she was feeling headed into the parade. It disappointed me to not see a text waiting from her, but also understood as someone who had gotten caught up in his work a time or two myself. Typing out a message, I pushed to my feet and made my way to the sidewalk, hoping to use my height to my advantage to get a view of the floats and local celebrities as they passed by the town square.
Cole (7:03 p.m.): Hey B. Hope everything went off without a hitch today. I’m ready for a jolly old parade.
Blaire (7:05 p.m.): Hitches were had. But it’s fine.
I frowned at my screen. I hoped nothing too terrible had gone wrong today. I could have helped out if she needed me to. And there was that word again—fine—it never meant what the dictionary alluded it did.
Cole (7:07 p.m.): I’m sorry it wasn’t a smooth sailing day. Good sized crowd though! Hopefully they all head over to the market after the parade is done.
I held my phone in my hand, waiting for a buzz for her return message. Nothing came for a few minutes as I watched parade goers receive candy from teenagers in red and white striped outfits holding large plastic candy canes. Well, she was at the start of the parade, I’m sure she was busy.
Cole (7:25 p.m.): Do you want to come back over to my place tonight and take another soak in the tub? I promise it can be as relaxing or stimulating as you want it to be. Your lead. I’m just sorry I wasn’t around for the hitches and would like to see you.
Still nothing. I could see the Frosty float on the opposite side of the square, which I remembered was the last float before Santa himself appeared past the grandstand. I thought about dipping into Jitters to grab both of us a coffee, for after the parade was over, planning to head toward the starting point and hope my path would cross with Blaire’s when my hand buzzed.
Blaire (7:32 p.m.): I have a migraine, and my mom wants me home to consult on some last-minute present options. I think I’m out for tonight.
I felt a pit of disappointment in my stomach. It may have only been less than a week, but I had gotten used to seeing Blaire at the end of each day. Sure, the sex was a great bonus, but I meant it when I told her I just wanted to help her relax after a rough day. Sleeping without her was going to be cold and lonely tonight.
Cole (7:33 p.m.): Sorry about your head, B. Hope your mom takes it easy on you and you can get some good sleep. Let me know when you want me back here to help?
We always made plans for the next day and how I would help while we were together in bed, so I felt a bit adrift without knowing where Blaire needed me next. I would just have to trust she would let me know.
I stared at the screen and saw the dots appear, showing Blaire was typing something, and I waited in anticipation, just to see them disappear again.
I looked up and saw Santa crossing through the grandstand of the parade, looking a little green around the edges, but waving to the crowd.
I know how you feel, buddy.
I turned and walked down the sidewalk to the event parking lot where I had left my car earlier that evening, envisioning a very different ending to this day. I would just have to check in with Blaire in the morning to see how I could help, I told myself. I could use the evening to do some packing or even catch up on sleep, since I hoped I would be sleeping, and also not sleeping, with Blaire again tomorrow night.
Chapter 28
December 23
