Tim took it, read the label, then looked at me. “Your man got me my fajita-chicken wrap.”
“Of course he did,” I said with a headshake. “You’ve gotten that every time we’ve eaten at the Sanctuary together and once made up an ode to it that you sang on top of a table at the brewery.”
Tim rolled his eyes. “One, it was a low coffee table. It wasn’t like I was on a high-top.”
“Still,” I murmured to Allyson’s laughter.
“And two, I think Aidan has been there with us for two meals and the time I sang the song.”
“You make an impression, Timmy,” I said with a grin, wiggling my eyebrows at him. “It’s no big deal. Aidan knew you were here with me.”
Tim’s face grew serious, which was a touch concerning. Leaning forward, he placed a hand on my arm, and I noted that his eyes were wet. “Gracie, as a gayer-than-gay teen who never thought he’d been accepted for how fabulous he was, it’s never not a big deal when someone sees you, I mean really sees you. I hope you know what a keeper you’ve got.”
I placed the salad on the table and walked up to Tim and threw my arms around him. Squeezing him tight, I whispered, “Fuck those kids in your school that didn’t get how amazing you were. You were so far from their orbit—they were simply looking at the stars.”
“Damn right, chickie.”
“You two.” I looked over to see Allyson brush a tear away. “I didn’t expect this, but I need to get out to the Woods. Holiday Glow is tonight at the park and the café is staying open late for anyone taking in the lights.”
Highland Woods had begun Holiday Glow years ago, sponsored by some local businesses and institutions. They were lit up at night during the holidays, much like some zoos did in bigger cities. The park was always magical, but under white lights at Christmas, especially with a covering of snow, it was positively gorgeous.
“I hope you’re getting a break for the holiday.” I raised a brow at Allyson, coming to lean against the desk next to Tim and taking a breath after our moment. Looking closely at Allyson, I noted that even in her first trimester, she looked great. Last year she’d been spread so thin, trying to be there for both her cafés without adding staff, doing everything herself. Logan had helped her find some balance, and now they were married and going to have a baby.
She held up her hands, laughing. “Did Logan put you up to this questioning? Promise, I’m still rocking the balanced lifestyle. I had the morning off today to get in some yoga and just stopped by to grab a croissant for myself when we got Aidan’s call. Only working this evening.”
I stepped forward, enfolding my friend in a hug. “Proud of you.”
She gave me a squeeze, then stepped back, scanning me from head to toe. I had gone more casual than usual for the library—an oversized green turtleneck sweater, distressed jeans, brown booties. “Girlie, you look more relaxed than I’ve seen you in ages.”
“That’s because she’s getting some,” Tim said with a mouthful of food.
“That’ll do it.” Allyson nodded sagely. With a more serious glance, she asked, “Any luck on daycare?”
I shrugged, trying not to despair because I’d felt so much lighter today as long as I didn’t think about that one little issue. “Maggie has a call in to her provider. She heard a family was moving, but we haven’t confirmed it.”
“Lou is the source,” Tim said as he moved on from the wrap to another cookie.
“Lou would know.” Allyson nodded, considering.
“True, but just because someone is moving doesn’t mean anytime soon. And it isn’t like we’re the only one looking for infant daycare. Cheryl had four infants, so I’d assume the other three families are desperate too.”
“Well, I hope you get some positive news soon so you can enjoy the holiday,” Allyson said with a squeeze of my hand.
“Thanks, hon. And thanks for bringing us this food. You really didn’t have to.”
“Oh, your husband can be very persuasive.”
“That he can,” I murmured as my phone chimed from the desk with a text.
“Oh girl, check this out,” Tim said as he glanced at the small photo in the notification on my screen, holding it out to me.
With a tap to the screen, I opened the text and we all looked at the photo as it filled my screen. My husband and mother-in-law must have stopped by Highland Woods because the photo we were looking at was in the library at the mansion. Word on the street was that Logan hired a Santa out there, though I was pretty sure it didn’t start until later. I’d told Aidan we could skip the Santa photo op this year because I knew the line would be nuts that night. Somehow he apparently got in early since we were looking at the most adorable photo ever, taken from the side. Santa had an open-mouthed smile aimed at Mia, and she had the same shot back to him with her arms outstretched. My heart melted.
“Damn. If I had ovaries, they would have popped an egg at that cuteness,” Tim said.
“Yeah, he really is one of the good ones,” I whispered as I tapped out a reply. I waved bye to Allyson and nodded as Tim said he was going to do a lap, making sure the place was as cleaned up as we could be with another hour until close.
I sat at the desk, looking at the calendar on my phone. It was funny—just six days ago, the distance between Aidan and me had felt unsurmountable and was so tangible that ithurt.And now I knew we weren’t completely back, but each moment we got closer. Sex was part of it, sure. Physical contact with him made me feel connected in a way that had been missing. But in seeing how he reacted to me, how he was aroused by me, I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t a confidence boost.
