“Incredible, actually. I was—am... sort of awestruck by it. Not justit—the scene we helped portray tonight—but by the actual thing tonight represented. My mind is blown right now.”
“I know what you mean. It has that effect on a lot of people, which is why Mom champions it every year.”
“I intend to champion it right alongside her from now on.”
“Me too.” They shared a smile and a beat of mutual understanding. “What are your plans for the next few days?”
“I’ll be spending most of tomorrow with my brother and his wife, which will be fabulous. Then I’ll be spending the rest of Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my mom or dad, which won’t be as fabulous. But will be better than usual, I think, after this. I feel like I’ve had my perspective recalibrated.” She straightened the tall neck of her coat. “What are you going to be up to?”
“All of our usual family traditions. A lot of noise. Some arguing between my sisters, my brother-in-law, and my sister’s kids. So much food we’ll be stuffed. Too many presents.”
“So, in other words, it’ll be pretty great?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m glad.”
He looked away for a moment, then back at her. “If you have time over the break, would you like to go with me to the Winter Market and carnival?”
Hmm?She wrinkled her forehead, trying to understand. “Connor, your training’s done. The diamond is shining. You don’t need any more practice.”
“I’m not asking if you’ll go with me because I need practice.” He spoke calmly, then studied her expectantly. “It’s you, Shay. I’ve been in love with you since we were kids.”
Her bottom lip sagged downward, and it was like the choir had struck up the “Hallelujah Chorus” all over again. This time, though, just in her head.
“You’re Molly,” he said.
She lifted her hands to her cheeks. “I am?”
He nodded, smiling. “It’s always been you. For me. For years I thought I’d outgrow my feelings for you, but I never did. They’ll outlast me, I’m sure of it. I love your personality. How daring you are. How honest. I even love your pink tennis shoes. And I really love when you sing lyrics of Broadway songs.”
What!
Her brain cartwheeled back through the things he’d said about Molly. He’d said he’d been attracted to her confidence in herself. He’d said he’d been too shy to ask her out and then circumstances had stopped him. When she’d asked him how much he liked Molly, he’d pointed to a masterpiece of a painting motivated by love.
Oh. My. Goodness.Her hands slid together under her chin, knotting.
“I would have brought you some cider,” he continued, “but we ran out. And I would have asked if you’re cold, but as far as I can tell, you don’t look cold. So I didn’t ask.”
She laughed with joy and astonishment. “I’m definitely not cold.” In fact, heat was rushing up her like tide onto a beach. “I’m Molly?”
“You’re Molly.” He grinned.
She’d been jealous of herself. All along, she was Molly. “Is... is a horse and carriage going to come jangling up?”
He hitched a shoulder. “I wasn’t opposed to a horse and carriage, but apparently, grand gestures are only good in rom coms and situations when you know how the other person feels about you. I don’t. Know how you feel about me.”
She was having trouble finding her breath. Maybe because her heart was thumping so fast. She extended a palm, facing it toward him as if she was setting it against a pane of glass. He carefully placed his palm against hers, his artist’s fingers longer than hers. Wonder zinged from the contact. Their hands interlaced. He bent his arm and set their joined hands against his chest, bringing her close to him.
“No woman has ever compared to you in my mind,” he said.
“You cut your hair,” she whispered, “and shaved your beard and bought new clothes and ice skated... for me?”
“For you,” he confirmed. “I wanted to learn how to become someone you’d consider. And I wanted to spend time with you.” Sheepishly, he scratched the side of his jaw with his free hand. “It was a risky plan and I’m sorry I misled you, but it was all I could think of. I’d ice skate every day for you, if that’s what you wanted.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“I’m crazy about you.”
