“That was a special night. My first tree lighting.”
“Ever? How is that possible?”
She shrugs as we keep walking. “My parents weren’t really into doing the whole holiday thing. We celebrated but hardly went out as a family to things like tree lightings or shows and the whole shebang.”
A few feet ahead, she stops and gasps. “They have hot chocolate. My favorite. This is my treat,” she insists, glaring at me as if she knew I were ready to pony up for the cost.
Without waiting for me to respond, she heads in the direction of the small, wooden booth where an older man is selling hot chocolate and cookies.
“Thank you,” I hear her say as I move closer.
Turning to me, she hands me one of the styrofoam cups of the chocolate, piping hot liquid, and a sugar cookie.
“Dinner was on you. Dessert is on me.”
“Thank you.” I take the cup and cookie but watch her as she inhales the steam from the hot chocolate before taking a sip. Her eyes close, and she smiles.
“So good. Try it.”
I take a sip of the sweet beverage and nod in agreement. “Marshmallows.”
“I told him to add a few extra to your cup.” She winks.
“Good job.”
After finishing our drinks, I toss both cups in a nearby bin.
“How was your cookie?” she asks as we continue down the long, paved walkway, moving into the beginning of the light show.
I shrug. “It was okay, but after having your friend’s, I’m pickier about my cookies.”
She giggles. “Same. Oh,” she gasps when I grab hold of her arm, surprising her. I pull her onto my lap.
“This show will be more entertaining with you on my lap.”
She laughs. “Is that so?”
“It is. Put your arm around my shoulders and make yourself comfortable, J.”
“Are you sure this is comfortable for you?”
“Stop worrying. I know what the hell I’m doing.”
“Bossy ass.”
I grin as she does as I instructed, placing her arm around my shoulders and shifting her body weight so she’s secure in my lap. No, I can’t feel her weight on my legs, but there’s a warmth that overtakes me from her closeness.
Comforted with her in my lap, I continue down the long walkway that reveals the lights surrounding us.
“It’s so pretty,” she gushes, her eyes twinkling with happiness as she peers up at the lit up candy canes and snowmen. While snow does occur from time to time in Williamsport, it’s not a common occurrence, so the fake snow falling around us is courtesy of the producers of this show.
Jackie giggles when I pause to wipe a few snowflakes from her nose. Her arm tightens around my shoulder as I spin us around in circles, making her laugh like a woman who has let go of her inhibitions.
“You’re making me dizzy,” she says, still laughing and panting once I stop.
“Call it payback, then. You’ve been making me dizzy since you walked into that boardroom two and a half weeks ago.”
Her face sobers as she looks down at me. “Really? I thought you hated me.”
