CHAPTER 15
Cricket Jenkins
Friday, November 27
I’m tryingon my fourth outfit for today, and I want to burn all of my clothes. They looked fine when I tried them on in the store, but now they look terrible. A crop top? Why did I think that was a good idea?
I sigh and grab the blouse and dark jeans I tried on first. They’ll have to be okay. I’m out of time. River will be here in a few minutes.
A knock comes on my door, and I hold the blouse to my chest. “Don’t come in. I’m changing.”
“All right,” Micah’s voice comes from the other side of the door. “But when are you going to get me more of your novel?”
I gape at the closed door. “You read all of that already?”
“Yes. And I need more. You can’t leave me hanging like this. Does he find the note she wrote? Did she get thatpromotion? Will he find out who is buying up all his paintings?”
I can’t help the smile that crosses my lips. Those words are the best words Micah could have said to me. Well, besides “I love you, Cricket. Will you marry me and be with me forever?”
“I’ll get you more chapters tonight.”
“Thank you. You’re the best.”
“Wait,” I call through the door. “Aren’t you going out with Kiera tonight?”
“Yes. But I can read it after I get home.”
“What if it’s late?”
“Doesn’t matter,” he says in a deep voice. “Send me those chapters, okay?”
My heart warms that he wants to read it so badly he would stay up to get more of my story. “Okay,” I say, my throat tightening.
His footsteps sound outside the door then fade, and I know he went back downstairs to get ready for his date with Kiera. I turn back to my mirror, but I don’t see myself anymore. All I see is Micah and Kiera having a great time together. That cold feeling in the pit of my stomach spreads through me. It’s the same feeling I always get when Micah’s got a crush on some other woman.
I force myself to focus on getting dressed. By the time I hear River’s car in the driveway, I’ve managed to apply some mascara and lip gloss without making it look like I’m trying too hard.
“Ready for some Christmas magic?” River asks when I climb into his rental car. He’s wearing a button-down shirt under his jacket, and his dark hair is falling over his forehead in that really sexy way.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say, buckling my seat belt.
The town square is already bustling when we arrive.Strings of white lights crisscross between the old oak trees, and the smell of hot chocolate and cinnamon donuts fills the air. The parade floats are lined up along Main Street, each one twinkling with thousands of Christmas lights. There’s a giant snowman float, complete with moving arms that wave at the crowd, and a sleigh pulled by glowing reindeer.
River buys us hot chocolate from one of the vendor booths, and we find a spot near the fountain where we can see both the parade route and the enormous Christmas tree that stands in the center of the square, waiting to be lit.
“This is nice,” I say, wrapping my hands around the warm cup. Steam rises from the chocolate, and the marshmallows melt on my tongue.
“Yeah, it is.” River’s shoulder brushes mine as we watch a group of kids run past, chasing each other with glow sticks. “I’m glad you came with me.”
The parade starts with the high school marching band playing “Silver Bells,” their instruments gleaming under the streetlights. Float after float rolls by, each one more elaborate than the last. The crowd cheers when Santa’s sleigh appears at the end, and kids rush forward and wave.
River laughs at the sight of the children, and I grin at him.
“You like kids?”
He nods. “They’re adorable.”
“I think so too.”
