Except it was.
Because I’d watched him fuss over the fact that he’d found two new people to invite. And that one of those people was the twin of a really famous athlete from back home. For the hours leading up to Duval and Foster’s arrival, he’d been a blushing, eager mess.
I wanted him like that for me. Wanted to see him fall apart at the seams because he needed to have things be just right between us.
Not that I wanted him to feel he couldn’t be himself around me though.
Ugh. It’s so confusing.
I can’t make sense of what I truly want from this. I’m a man who goes after what he wants all the time. Not making the decision I need to regarding my best friend is tearing me up inside.
With a shake of my head, I go back out to grab my bag in order to unpack for the week. I can’t live out of a suitcase no matter how short the trip is. The idea of digging through my stuff to find one thing nearly gives me hives.
Once I’ve gotten things in order just the way I want them, I check the cabinets for any basics while making a list of what I need to get from the store. Davies has a few key things here like cannedgoods and water, however, there’s nothing fresh or healthy. Obviously, they’re too perishable to last without someone being here. I’ll have to be sure to get plenty of fruits and veggies to snack on. And maybe I should grab some extra in case that storm does trap me here.
I check the forecast one more time, taking note the storm isn’t set to arrive until midweek. If all else fails, I should have enough time to make another trip into town if I find I’ve missed grabbing a specific item.
Loading my reusable bags into the passenger seat, I take off into the neighboring town. My GPS had me come in from a different direction, so this is the first I’m seeing of the people in the area.
To say these people like Christmas would be an understatement. There are decorations covering every inch of the town. From the light poles to the storefronts, there isn’t an inch without some holly or tinsel.
A giant tree sits in the town square covered in baubles and lights. I tell myself I’ll need to come back at night to take a look at it. I bet it’s gorgeous.
You know who else would love it?
I grunt as my thoughts turn to Edward again. What do I have to do to get him off my mind? Surely there has to be a way to keep them gone for more than a few minutes at a time.
Parking in front of the general store brings me back to the current moment. Families stroll down the sidewalk carrying bags and gifts. It’s obvious some are tourists, though several look comfortable enough they likely call this place home.
Inside the store, I find just as many decorations as there are outside. It’s even worse though because they have lights lining the wall. The space is bordering on a club scene instead of a grocery store with all they have going on.
“Greetings!” A man dressed as Santa Claus greets me from a giant throne set up right in front of the store. “Want to tell me your Christmas wish?”
“No thanks, Santa. I don’t think you could make it come true.”
I head to grab a cart, but a hand on my arm stops me. The big guy is out of his seat. His eyes have lost their humor.
“Tell me why you think that is. I’m in the business of making people’s holiday merry and bright. What would it take to get yours there?”
If this were any other situation — i.e., a man not in a Santa suit in a random grocery store — I might think he was hitting on me. Instead, it feels a bit like he’s trying to keep up the good vibes of the store.
I take a deep breath, then admit the truth. “I’m in love with someone I can’t have. He doesn’t see me the way I would like. This vacation is meant to help me get over him.”
Santa nods at me slowly, an understanding in his gaze I don’t expect.
“Been there myself before. My Link and I were best friends for nearly twenty years before I told him I was in love with him.”
“What happened?” The question comes before I can stop myself.
A booming laugh rings out behind me. “Well, I told the old goat he was in luck because I loved him too. We were married a month later”
“That was only because our mothers wanted to do a formal ceremony and send out invites. I’d have done it that same day,” Santa replies to the man I suspect to be his Link person.
I hum softly as I take a step away from the pair. They’ve managed to sandwich me between them as they weave this happily ever after tale to me.
“While I’m happy for you both, I’m not sure I’ll get the same ending.” Because Edward doesn’t want me as his Daddy.
Santa shakes his head. “Don’t be so sure yet. The holidays are a time for miracles. Plus, this town is known for bringing people together. You’ll see. This isn’t the end.”
