Eli stepped closer. Then closer, until at last he was right into Noah’s space.
“I’m scared too,” he said. “I’m scared because I don’t want this to be temporary. I’m scared because it feels like something that could change everything. I’m scared because itmatters.”
Noah’s breath caught in his throat.
Then Eli took Noah’s hands. “But I would rather be scaredwithyou than safe without you.”
Oh my God.
“Is this—are we—something real?” His voice cracked.
Eli swallowed. “I want it to be.”
Noah’s eyes burned. “Me too.”
They leaned into each other, their foreheads touching, sharing breaths.
Noah couldn’t resist the pull of that mouth a second longer.
Eli sighed into the kiss, his hands on Noah’s head, holding him close as he parted Noah’s lips with his tongue. Noah let out a soft moan, his arms around Eli, pressing their bodies together.
When they broke apart, Noah glanced at the props. “Wecouldwork on those.”
“We could,” Eli agreed. “Or…”
Noah smiled. “I vote we go withor.”
Chapter Sixteen
By late Thursday afternoon,Mapleford had gone from “charmingly decorated” to “if you stand still too long we will put a wreath on you.”
Eli peered through the bakery window at a world that looked like an aggressively shaken snow globe. Garlands curled around lamp posts. Shop windows glittered. Every inch of the giant spruce in the square was covered with decorations, the lights all in place, waiting for the big switch-on. Everywhere he looked, someone was carrying a box of ornaments, a coil of extension cord, or a pan of brownies “for the volunteers.”
The town’s Christmas Festival would officially kick off the following evening with the lantern walk, the tree lighting, and market stalls. Eli had watched it from afar for years on his mother’s Facebook photos. This time, he’d be in the middle of it.
What was more unnerving? He wouldn’t be in the middle alone.
His phone pinged.
Noah: Be ready in five minutes. I have a plan. Dress warm.
Eli stared at the screen.A plan for what?He was too scared to ask.
He went out back to grab his coat, scarf, and gloves, and Aileen leaned in the doorway, watching him as he wrapped himself up.
“Going somewhere?”
“Noah’s stopping by to pick me up.” He kept his voice steady.
“You’re doing The Face.”
“What face?” Eli asked.
“The ‘something big is happening and I’m pretending it’s totally casual’ face,” she said. “You’ve had it all morning.”
He walked past her into the empty shop. “We have a lot to do. Lights. Booths. Trying not to electrocute anyone.”
“Uh-huh,” she said, following him. “Never mind it’s almost sunset. And I’msureit’s nothing to do with a certain festival coordinator picking you up.”
