“I’ll think about it,” Tilly said in response.
For the next hour they went through their to-do list, crossing off a few more things, as well as adding a couple of other items that he would follow up on in the morning.
“It really is coming together,” he said as he stretched, his tired muscles appreciating the movement.
“I think so.At least, I hope so.We should be able to start rehearsals in the next couple of days.I’ll have to check with Chrissy and Ryder to find out the best time for them.Oh...”Her eyes lit up again.“I didn’t tell you.Chrissy and Ryder loved my idea about growing poinsettias on the farm.They’re going to take the plants we will be using on the Carols by Candlelight stage to start growing our own.”
Zach recalled during one of their conversations while he’d been working back-to-back shifts that Tilly had presented her sister with the idea.“That’s fantastic.I think they should call them Tilly’s Surprise.”
Tilly laughed.“Let’s not go that far, but I’m really happy.”She looked around her house.“Although my house is seriously lacking in Christmas spirit.I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to do anything.I’ve usually gotten my tree and decorated my house by now.”
Christmas hadn’t been a big thing for him in recent years.Growing up, his mom had always made it special, even when things had been a bit lean.Before fame had knocked on his mom’s door a second time, they would go get their own tree and decorate it while Christmas songs played in the background.After her talk show took off, she’d employed someone to decorate the house and Christmas had lost a little of the luster he’d loved about it.So much so that after he’d gotten his own place, he hadn’t really bothered about getting a tree.Why did he need one when it was just him?
Maybe it was time to try to get that feeling back.Maybe it was time he changed and embraced the season like he once had.Time to make new memories and moments like the ones he and his mom shared, only with Tilly.“We could go get a tree now.”
“What?”Tilly’s eyes widened.“You want to go Christmas tree shopping with me?Aren’t you tired?Don’t you want to go home?”
Whenever he was around Tilly, he never seemed to be as tired as he had been prior to knowing her.It was as though her vibrancy and happiness chased away his fatigue.“I’m good and maybe, while we’re there, we can get a tree for me.I don’t have any decorations, but maybe it’s time I did.”
Tilly clapped her hands in delight.“Yes, let’s!And I’ve got a ton of decorations that I could give you, or we could go buy you some shiny new ones.There are plenty in the stores in town.”
It was impossible not to get caught up in Tilly’s enthusiasm.“We can do that for sure.”
“I’ll go grab my coat.”
As she got up to leave, Zach reached out and took her hand.“I’m really glad the mayor put us together, Tulip Bloom.”
A soft smile played on her lips, lips he’d sampled a little while ago and before the night was out, planned to sample again.
“I am too.”
Chapter Twelve
“Ilike thisone.”Zach pointed to a tree, and Tilly immediately shook her head.
“Are you kidding me?”She grabbed the trunk and gave it a shake.Needles fell to the ground, releasing a pine scent, which Tilly inhaled.She’d been right about how Zach’s cologne reminded her of Christmas trees.The second they’d walked onto the lot, she’d been surrounded by the smell from the man beside her and the trees in front of her.She loved every second of it.
“How did you know the tree wasn’t a good one?”Zach asked.
Tilly shrugged.“When you grow up around flowers and plants, not to mention you’ve bought many a Christmas tree over the years, you recognize the signs of one that has lost a little bit of its sparkle.”
Zach laughed.“I will bow down to your superior knowledge, oh wise Christmas tree expert.Now tell me which one is the ‘perfect’ tree.”
Tilly giggled with him.“I like being called an expert.As for picking the tree, there’s no real science to it.I just know when I see a tree that it’s the one.Like pairing someone up with the perfect dress or outfit that accentuates their hair color, body, and features.The way their faces light up when they see an outfit they didn’t think they’d ever wear, or even consider trying on, looks brilliant on them...it’s the best.”
She clamped her lips shut so she wouldn’t say any more.There were so many times when she’d been in a clothing store and she’d seen someone grabbing something that wouldn’t look good on them.Even though she’d tried to temper her interference, she usually hadn’t and she’d intervened.Most people had welcomed her help, and in the end walked out with something that looked amazing on them.On more than one occasion, she’d been told she should get a job in retail.
“Sounds like something you’re very passionate about.How come you don’t do that for a career?”
“It’s not a reliable source of income.Most stores in bigger cities work on a commission basis.One bad day and it affects...everything.”
The conversation was heading in a direction she definitely didn’t want to continue.It brought back memories she’d shoved to the far reaches of her mind so she didn’t have to think about them.
“Right.But you know, personal stylists earn a lot of money.At least, they do in Hollywood.”
Tilly scoffed.“I’m not good enough to dress the stars.”She examined the closest tree.“This one’s okay, but not quite right.Come on, let’s check out this lane.It’s why we’re here.”
Please don’t ask any more questions.
