Christmas Eve morning. I could hardly believe it.
The thought hit me suddenly. This time last year I’d been in California, miserable in Tommy’s penthouse, pretending to be happy about the designer watch he’d bought me that I later found out was a cheap knockoff. I remembered forcing a smile for an Instagram post while feeling hollow inside.
And now here I was, in a tiny apartment above my aunt’s diner in a town I’d never planned to visit, much less stay in, wrapped in the arms of a man who looked at me like I was something precious.
I turned my head slightly, studying Diego’s sleeping face. His dark lashes fanned against his cheeks, his expression peaceful in sleep. None of that cocky swagger or teasing smirk, just pure, unguarded Diego. My heart swelled with a feeling so intense it almost hurt.
I loved him. God, I really loved him.
Carefully, I slid out from under his arm, smiling when he made a small noise of protest before burying his face in my pillow. I pulled on a pair of sweatpants and one of Diego’s t-shirts that he’d left here yesterday. It hung loose on my frame, smelling like his cologne and his own unique scent that I’d come to love.
I padded to the small kitchen, intending to make coffee, but found myself drawn to the window instead. Sagebrush was beautiful in the early morning light, especially on Christmas Eve. Someone had strung lights along the storefronts across the street, and they twinkled against the dim morning sky. A dusting of frost made everything glitter.
For the first time since I’d arrived, I didn’t feel that familiar ache for California or for home. I didn’t miss the ocean or the bustle of the city or even the career I’d left behind. Standing there, looking out at this tiny town that had somehow become important to me, I realized with sudden clarity that I was happy. Actually, genuinely happy.
I slipped my feet into boots, grabbed my coat, and headed downstairs. I knew Dolly would already be in the diner, prepping for the Christmas Eve party. The staircase led directly to the back entrance of the diner, and sure enough, there she was, humming “White Christmas” as she mixed something in a large bowl.
“Mornin’, sunshine,” she called without looking up. “Coffee’s fresh.”
“You’re a mind reader,” I said, crossing to the pot and pouring myself a cup.
“Not mind readin’, just knowin’ my nephew.” She glanced up, her eyes twinkling. “Nice shirt. Don’t believe it belongs to you. He let you borrow it?”
“More like I stole it,” I admitted, taking a sip of coffee. The warmth spread through me, chasing away the last vestiges of sleep. “He’s still passed out upstairs.”
Dolly’s eyebrows shot up, a knowing smile spreading across her face. “Late night?”
I felt heat rush to my cheeks but didn’t bother denying it. “Something like that.”
“Well, you seem happier this morning than I’ve seen you since you got here,” she said, returning to her mixing. “It suits you.”
I leaned against the counter, watching as she added cinnamon to whatever she was making. The kitchen smelled like vanilla and spices, comforting and homey. “I am happy,” I said softly, the words still feeling new on my tongue. “I think... I think I might want to stay in Sagebrush.”
Dolly’s hands stilled for a moment before she looked up at me, her eyes suddenly misty. “You mean that, sugar?”
“Yeah,” I nodded, surprising myself with how certain I felt. “I do. If that’s okay with you, I mean. I could help out more around the diner, maybe look for something else part-time too. And I was thinking about that empty storefront down the street?—”
“The old Miller place?” Dolly asked.
“Yeah. I don’t know what I’d do with it, but maybe there’s something I know how to do that this town needs. And then I could?—”
I didn’t get to finish because Dolly had wrapped me in a flour-covered hug, squeezing me so tight I could barely breathe.
“Of course it’s okay with me,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “This is your home if that’s what you want. You’re family and I’d love for you to stay. You can have the apartment as long as you need.”
I returned her hug, feeling something settle inside me. “I’m sorry I was such a brat when I first got here.”
She pulled back, patting my cheek with a flour-dusted hand. “You weren’t yourself. But you are now and that’s what matters.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her wrist. “Now, is this decisionentirely about a certain cowboy, or have you actually fallen for our little town?”
I laughed, taking another sip of coffee. “Both, I think. Diego’s definitely part of it, but... I don’t know. Something about this place feels right. Like I can breathe here.”
“And what does Diego think about all this? Is he planning to stick around too?”
“He says he is,” I replied, remembering our conversation from last night. “He told me he’s tired of drifting, that he wants to put down roots. With me.”
“Well, I’ll be,” Dolly shook her head in wonder. “Lucas told me that boy was allergic to commitment. Said he never stayed in one place longer than a season. But I guess love changes people.”
Love. The word still made my heart race, even though we’d said it to each other multiple times now.
