“Hey, Felicity, here.”Justin appeared out of seemingly nowhere and handed over her phone.“You forgot it in my pickup.”
For just a moment, their fingers touched as their gazes caught and held.It was long enough to cause her heart to race.At the point of his touch, she felt a bolt of electricity start in her fingertips and cause goosebumps to spread up her arm.
Felicity’s cheeks grew warm as she lowered her hand.“Thanks.”
After Justin moved toward the cookie table, Holly said, “You’re here with Justin?Are you two back together?”
Felicity’s eyes widened.“No.Definitely not.”
“But your phone was in his car?”Holly arched a brow.
Felicity sighed.Where did she start?Perhaps at the beginning.“I’m working at the bookshop for the holidays, and Connie and Merry have been pushing us together.The other day, Connie practically forced him to give me a lift to the school.It was no big deal.”
“The school?You were taking a walk down memory lane?”
Felicity shook her head.“Not even close.We were just at the school, working on the Christmas play.”
“Together?”
“No.He’s doing the set, and I’m working on the costumes, but to be honest, most of them are done.”
“But you’re spending time with Justin?”
Felicity shrugged.“I guess so.We went tubing at Hutter’s Farm this afternoon.”
“Oh, wow!Just like old times.”
Heat rushed to Felicity’s cheeks as she nodded.“It was a lot of fun.”
“I bet.”Holly had a knowing look in her eyes and a big smile on her face.
Felicity glanced away.She looked around the crowded room of festively dressed guests for an excuse to end this awkward conversation.And then she spotted the perfect excuse.“I see my mother.I have to go.It was good to see you.Hope we can see each other again before I leave town.”
Holly nodded.“I’d like that.”
They hugged, and then Felicity walked away.She looked for Justin to thank him again for finding her phone, but it appeared he’d exited the party just as quickly as he’d arrived.Instead, she went to say hello to her mother.
Her mother was also wearing a red dress.The skirt was longer than Felicity’s, and it had long sleeves, while Felicity’s barely had any sleeves.When Felicity was younger, it would have upset her for them both to be wearing red dresses, but these days it didn’t bother her in the least.There were a lot bigger issues in the world to worry about, like was she ever going to find a new job?
She approached her mother.“You made it.”She gave her a hug.“I was worried you’d get hung up at the hospital.”
“Thankfully, things have slowed down the past couple of days.”Her mother stepped back to take a look at her daughter.“You look stunning.”Then she looked around the room as though searching for someone.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Justin.If he isn’t here with you, he should be.”
“Actually, he gave me a ride here.He said I shouldn’t be walking in these shoes.”She lifted a foot so her mother could check out the heels she’d found on a clearance rack.“Actually, this is the first time I’ve worn them.So, I was happy for the ride.”
“Be careful on the icy sidewalks in those.But they are gorgeous.”Her mother continued looking around.“So, where is he?”
“He left again.”When her mother sent her a puzzled look, Felicity said, “He was here and dropped me off.After he left, he found my phone in his pickup.So, he came back to give it to me, but he left again.”
“That’s too bad.”
“I know.”Her phone chimed, and she couldn’t help but wonder if it was Justin.“I tried to talk him into staying.”
“Oh, there’s Tricia.”Her mother turned back to her.“Would you mind if I went over and said hello.”
