They paused in one of the department stores near a display of coats, the soft lighting casting a warm glow over rows of puffy jackets and knit scarves.
“I think this would be perfect for Eli,” she said, holding up a navy winter coat. “His jacket is entirely too short on his arms, but I think this one should fit. And these boots look like they’d survive a Minnesota tundra.”
Luke inspected the soles. “They could survive a small apocalypse.”
She laughed. “Good. That seems appropriate for their level of chaos.”
They moved from store to store, comparing sizes, debating colors, imagining delighted reactions. Luke surprised her with his thoughtfulness—suggesting thicker socks, even adding fuzzy gloves shaped like polar bear paws.
“You’re enjoying this,” she teased as they walked past a store selling roasted nuts.
“I’m discovering my inner Santa. This should concern everyone.”
They passed a small display featuring photos from classic holiday movies filmed around Minneapolis. Amayah stopped mid-step.
“Oh my goodness.” She pointed past the row of storefronts. “They filmed part ofJingle All the Wayright over there.” Her face lit up. “I wore that VHS tape out when I was a kid. Arnold trying to get that Turbo Man toy? That movie was pure perfection.”
“Your taste in cinema is both questionable and delightful.”
She laughed softly. “I take that as a compliment.”
The hum of shoppers faded into background noise as they drifted a little farther from the main flow of foot traffic, the air cooler here, the glow of twinkle lights softer. Their conversation slipped easily from movies to childhood traditions—the ornaments they still hung every year, the Christmas foods they refused to give up, the moments that had quietly shaped who they’d become.
Amayah found herself lingering on the way Luke listened. Not just politely but intentionally, as if her memories mattered.
She glanced up at him. “What are you doing for Christmas this year?”
A shadow flickered across his expression. “Going home. I’ve never missed a Christmas with my mom and dad.”
“I pray you’ll have a great reunion this year.”
“I appreciate that. They’re good parents. I’ve never doubted that.” He shifted. “How about you?”
Her throat tightened. “My mom and her new husband decided they wanted to spend Christmas in Europe this year.”
“Did they invite you along?”
She shook her head, remembering the sting of that phone call. “They did not. But that’s okay. I’m a big girl. I can survive Christmas alone.”
At once she remembered how different her life looked than she’d planned.
She was supposed to be married with children by now.
Instead, she was mostly alone with only her social media followers to keep her company.
But she didn’t say that out loud. She didn’t want sympathy.
What no one realized was that the rise to the top could be lonely.
The cold air brushed her cheeks. The lights reflected faintly in his eyes. Suddenly, she noticed the space between them—or the lack of space.
They stood close. Luke’s gaze lingered on her.
Her heart seemed to slow and race all at once.
The moment felt different.
Not rushed.
