“Sounds comprehensive.”
“He’s a perfectionist,” I say.“Takes forever to find ‘the one.’”
“I can respect that,” Alexander says, and there’s a note in his voice that makes me glance up at him.He’s looking at me with an intensity that makes my breath catch.
I clear my throat.“Have you ever decorated a tree, at least?”
“My brothers did.I was seventeen by then and didn’t want to ruin their fun.”He shrugs.“They were much younger and so excited about it.”
I try to picture teenage Alexander—already serious, already building what would become a business empire—watching his little brothers decorate a tree without him.The image tugs at something unexpected inside me.
“Christmas isn’t about age,” I say softly.“It’s about family.”
He goes quiet at that, his expression distant, and I immediately regret bringing it up.Alexander’s relationship with his family is complicated, I know that much from scheduling his calls and meetings over the years.
We reach Town Square, and I’m grateful for the distraction.“Are you hungry?There’s a food cart that sells the best pretzels in town.”
“Lead the way.”
I steer us toward a cheerful red cart where a man in a Santa hat is serving up giant, twisted pretzels.As we approach, his face breaks into a wide grin of recognition.
“Olivia Hartley!When did you get back to town?”he calls out, abandoning the pretzel he was twisting.
“Just this morning, Mr.Davenport,” I smile back.
His eyes shift to Alexander, then to our linked hands, and his bushy eyebrows shoot up toward his Santa hat.“And who’s this handsome fella by your side?”
“This is Alex,” I say, squeezing Alexander’s hand.The nickname feels strange on my tongue.“My boyfriend.”
Mr.Davenport’s eyes widen to comic proportions.“Boyfriend?Well, I’ll be!When did that happen?”
I laugh, feeling my cheeks warm.“I’m not giving you gossip to spread around town, Walter.”
“Can’t blame an old man for trying,” he winks.“The usual for you, Olivia?One pretzel with cheese dipping sauce?”
“You remembered,” I beam at him.“Make that two.”
I hand over cash before Alexander can reach for his wallet.“My treat.”
Walter hands us our pretzels with a knowing smile.“Good to see you back, Olivia.Your mama’s been counting the days.”
“Nice to see you, too, Walter,” I say, tugging Alexander away.
Once we’re out of earshot, Alexander raises his eyebrows at me.“Alex?”
I grin up at him.“You told me to try harder.”
He studies me for a moment, then says slowly, “Fine.If you want me to be Alex, I’ll be Alex for you.”
Damn it.There goes my heart again.He’s too good at this.
“Never mind.”I look away.“Alexander suits you better.”
After chuckling at my remark, he murmurs, “Small towns,” looking around at the festively decorated square.“News travels fast.”
“Just wait,” I warn him.“By dinner, everyone will know I’m back with a boyfriend.”
We find an empty bench facing the Christmas tree and sit down to eat.The pretzel is warm and fragrant, sweet with cranberries but with that perfect pretzel chewiness.
