ChapterSeven
MELODY
As the light fades, the crowds start to leave the rink. They’re heading home to gather around the Christmas tree. This is usually my favorite part of the whole holiday period, but I’m strangely empty inside.
I shiver, wrapping my hands around my body to keep warm. My feet feel weird, probably from wearing those unfamiliar high heels last night. The very same heels I wore to slip and slide my way home this morning.
I grit my teeth, remembering how Keaton kicked me out of his house. While I can imagine Rhys wouldn’t have been delighted to find the two of us in bed together, I didn’t think Keaton would treat me like some dirty secret. Or a disposable one-night stand. I guess all those pretty words meant nothing to him and I’m the loser who believed him.
How am I going to cope with seeing him again? It’s not like I can avoid him forever, since he and Rhys are so close. I’ve fallen for Keaton, for the kindness under his grumpy exterior and his secret existence as the town’s benefactor. And now I’m going to have to pretend he doesn’t affect me, to be cold and polite as he most likely will be to me. Maybe he’ll just ignore me. I don’t know what’s worse.
Mr. Huckle walks over, wearing a Scandinavian-style sweater printed with snowflakes, and smiles. “Did you have a good night last night?”
I smile politely. “What a great party! The tree was amazing. How about you?”
“Ah yes, it was fun. I drank a little too much of that rum punch. Could I have some cocoa, please? And I’ll take a bag of those sugar reindeer cookies for my nephew’s kids. We bought a huge bag a week ago but we’re all out.”
I ladle out the cocoa and hand him a bag of cookies in a red and white paper bag.
“Thank you. I wanted to talk to you, Melody. A friend of mine has a design consultancy in Bakersville. He’s looking for freelance illustrators and I mentioned your name. Would you be interested? I can pass on your details if you are.”
I stand up straighter. “Hell, yeah!”
He laughs.
“I mean…yes, please! That would be great. Thanks, Mr. Huckle.” I want to hug him.
“Please, call me Magnus. And it’s my pleasure. You’re very talented.”
He walks away, leaving me with a smile on my face. My love life may be in shreds but at least I have a potential career opportunity on the horizon. Maybe if I get a good job, I can be like Rhys and throw myself into my work, forgetting everything and everyone else.
The rink is nearly empty when Sienna stops by the Candy Cabin.
“Could I get some candy canes and a bag of snowflake-shaped cookies? My mom loves those.”
“Sure. You look…happy. Not so stressed.” I bag up her purchases.
“Yes, I am happy. More than happy. But I have to tell you something and I don’t want you to hate me, okay?”
I stare at her. “Go on. I’d never hate you.”
“So, work being crazy means Rhys and I have been spending a lot of time together. And I’ve always had a crush on him. I think maybe he might like me too, but I’m not sure. But I don’t want to upset you.” She fiddles with the bag I’ve handed her.
“Oh my god, Sienna! No, no, don’t worry about me. I want you to be happy. And I want Rhys to be happy too. The holidays are a time to be with the person you care about.” A tear runs unexpectedly down my face even as I try to keep my cheery smile on for her.
“What is it? Do you need a hug?” Her voice is gentle.
I shake my head. “I’m okay. I’ll tell you all about it after Christmas. I think maybe I just need to get packed up and go slob out in front of the TV tonight. I’m a little overtired.”
“Are you sure? You take it easy. It’s so cold out here. Will you finish soon?”
“Yes, I’m nearly done. I’ll text you later. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.” She smiles and walks away, swinging her bag of cookies. The wind whistles through the big Christmas tree at the side of the rink. I start packing everything away, ready for Christa and her husband to come and collect it later on.
I’m almost finished when Jamal walks up with some skates. “Final skate is on me. There’s nobody out there, you’ll have the rink to yourself…”
I reach for the skates. “Thanks. I could do with letting off some steam.”
