Our food arrives, and we eat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Avery says, “You know, a lot of our friends were disgusted by Chase’s attitude.”
I pause mid-bite, looking at her.
“But...”She hesitates.“No one reached out because they didn’t know what to say.Especially since most of them are still hanging out with Chase.And now that Amber’s part of the group...it’s been uncomfortable.”
A bitter taste fills my mouth.“It’s fine.I should’ve also reached out and not expected it from others.”
“You’re here now,” Avery says firmly.“That’s what matters.”
She leans forward, eyes bright.“Hey, did you know this year there’s a huge event just before the Winter Wonderland thing?”
I’m surprised.“What event?”
“I don’t know exactly, but apparently Tessa’s handling the arrangements.And she hired Wyatt Boone to build some structures for it.”
I remember Wyatt—the gruff carpenter who lives on the edge of town.“How is he?I heard his wife passed away last March.”
Avery’s expression softens.“He’s okay.Elaine was already sick for years, so...Wyatt’s dealing with it better than I thought he would.”
“That’s good.”
“I sometimes go to check on him,” she admits.“Bring him books to read.He always reads them and returns them.He’s a little scary, but he’s sweet.”
“You were always very kind, Avery,” I say softly.“It’s good you’re looking out for him.”
She shrugs.“Wyatt has no family now.I know how that is.”I feel a tinge of sympathy for her.Her mother was the only family she had, and with her gone… I can understand Avery empathizing with Wyatt.
We chat for a while longer, catching up on town gossip and old friends.Then Avery’s gaze shifts to the window.“I think your boyfriend is here to pick you up.”
I turn, and sure enough, there’s Alexander, standing outside the diner.He’s on his phone and smiles at me.He’s wearing a dark coat and a gray scarf, snowflakes catching in his hair, and my heart flutters.
When his call ends, he heads inside, bringing a blast of cold air with him.
“I didn’t want to disturb you,” he says, his eyes finding mine.“You weren’t at the house when I came back, so I came looking for you.”
“I actually have to go now anyway,” Avery says, standing.“I have to open the shop again.”
She reaches for her wallet, but Alexander waves her off.“It’s on me.I’m glad Olivia was able to reconnect with an old friend.”
Avery beams at him.“Thanks.I’ll see you later, Olivia!”Giving me a quick hug, she pulls on her jacket, and slips out into the cold.
I watch her go, then turn to Alexander.“How did you know where I was?”
“I stopped by the bookstore first.The guy selling crepes down the street pointed me in the right direction.”Of course he did.Small towns.
Alexander glances at my empty plate, then signals the waitress.When she brings the check, he pulls out his wallet before I can even reach for mine.
“I’ve got it,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument.He pays, leaving a generous tip that makes the waitress beam, and we gather our things.I pull on my coat while he holds my shopping bags, ever the gentleman, and then we step out into the cold together.
The weather has turned brutal, snowflakes swirling around us as we make our way down Main Street.My teeth are chattering by the time we reach the huge Christmas tree in the town square.Alexander stops at the base of the display, and I climb up onto one of the wide stone steps to get a better look at the ornaments.From this vantage point, I’m slightly above him, and when I turn back, we’re nearly eye level.
He reaches up, his hands catching the ends of my scarf that have come loose.“Did you have a good time?”he asks, rewrapping it more securely around my neck.His fingers brush against my throat, warm despite the cold.
“I did.”I let him fuss with the scarf, my chest tight as I watch his focused expression.“How was grocery shopping with my dad?”
“We got chicken, and then he wanted to look at some car supplies for the truck.Then I had noticed the television in the living room was on its last leg, so I got a new one?—”
“Alexander.”My voice is quiet, but something in my tone makes his hands still.I reach up, covering them with mine.“What are you doing?”
