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Grace winced. "Uh-oh."
"Yep. Nonna wasnotpleased. Gave it to us good. In Italian, no less. But we cleaned it up, so she couldn't stay mad for long."
Grace shook her head, still smiling. "That would make a great gift for Sofia. But you better be sneaky about it. She's right over there."
Tommy followed Grace's gaze to where Sofia was browsing the displays at the back of the store, then when he turned around, it almost seemed like he'd gotten taller. Or, he’d moved closer, maybe?
"Good lookin' out."
Grace glanced away, her eyes focusing on the first thing they touched: a snowflake.
And Tommy, ever the intense observer, must've noted whatever expression she wore. He picked up the delicate, airy ornament, and Grace was transfixed as she studied its intricate and perfectly symmetrical design.
"This is cool," he mused. "Maybe you can get this one for yourself. It'll match your scarf."
"Oh, ha, yes. I have a thing for snowflakes, I guess." Grace looked down at the wintery design on her scarf, then lifted her hand as he held the ornament out. "Thanks."
The cold glass met her palm, but since it was practically balmy in the shop thanks to all of her layers, she had a feeling it wasn't that the ornament itself was cold... It justfeltcold when compared to the fire beneath her skin from Tommy's fingers on the back of her hand.
His touch lingered just a moment longer than necessary, and they shared a loaded glance, attraction crystallizing between them like the icy bauble in their hands.
But it was a good thing Tommy's focus was on her... and it was a good thing the ornament wasn't a real snowflake... because Tommy's gaze practically smoldered, and surely he'd melt it.
Like he was meltingher, what with that heady mix of excitement and uncertainty brewing behind his eyes.
Grace felt herself blush, and she cleared her throat, prompting him to drop his hand.
"Seriously," he said, seemingly unaffected by whatever had just passed between them. "You should get it to remind you of your time here. Do you collect souvenirs from your trips?"
"Um, no." She shook her head, then laughed when Tommy looked downright horrified. "What?"
"Not even magnets for your fridge?"
She chuckled. "Not even magnets."
"Why not?"
Grace bit her lip. Honestly, she'd never seen the point of buying a little something in every new place she visited. She was never home, so anything she'd display there would feel wasteful. She didn't even have pictures on her walls or throw pillows on her couches.
And as for anything portable that she'd bring with her on her next trip? She was a carry-on type of gal, so there was no room for anything non-essential.
However, perhaps telling Tommy any of that would seem a little harsh, considering the man was buying an ornament for his sister to remind her of a fun memory from their youth. It was sweet. Endearing, even.
But Grace wasn't like that. She didn't need an object as a reminder. In fact…
"I think my work—the articles I write, the notes I take... I think maybe those are my souvenirs?" she ventured, hoping that was an answer that wouldn't make her seem quite so callous.
He nodded, considering. "That's a good point. Keeps your house less cluttered, too. Can't imagine how many magnets you'd have by now."
"Probably enough for a second fridge," she joked.
Though, perhaps that wasn't too far off.
Grace's gaze traveled back to the ornament. She wasn't sure why she'd thought Tommy would judge her for something so silly. And yet, the relief that he hadn't was as tangible as the glass in her hand.
The ornament was luminous and fragile, and she felt herself being drawn in by its perfectly symmetrical complexity. But if she didn't put it down now, she might wind up buying it for a Christmas tree that didn't exist. She gently replaced it on the square of plush, red velvet.
"Snowflakes have always been my favorite," she blurted, suddenly wanting to share more of herself with Tommy. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as she spoke, but she pressed on. "I think it's because they remind me that each new place I visit is different and unique, just like how every snowflake is one-of-a-kind."
