“It is.Hopefully we can pull it off.”
We settle in the dining room, pushing aside a few scattered papers and half-finished crafts.Amelia already has supplies laid out—games that need tweaking, signs that need painting.
Did she do this at home because I didn’t show up?
Guilt fills me as I feel like I’m another person relying on her.I need to help more so she realizes she doesn’t have to do everything herself.
We dive into the work, transforming ordinary activities into Christmas-themed fun.
As we go, we make a list of bigger prizes we still need.I plan to visit Genevive to talk to her about pies and sugar cookies.Then head to Derek to get haircut vouchers.As we go through the list of people, including who the volunteers are and who we still need to ask.I remember my conversation before work yesterday.“I talked with Dores from the grocery store.She said she can donate a gift basket and a few other things.They should be ready at the end of the week.”
“Good idea.”Amelia nods.“So maybe next week, we can meet back up, and we’ll finish them up together.”
“Alright.”I pause, then add with a slight smile, “I should probably get your number now, huh?”
She laughs.“Yeah, that’d be smart.”
We exchange numbers, and for some reason, it feels bigger than it should.Like another step toward… something.
As we wrap up, she leans back against the chair.“So… did you read Dr.Whisperer yet?”
“Yeah, I did.I knew Russell would be fine.He’s a menace.”
She grins.“He is.But he’s also kind of funny.”
“I’m honestly surprised no one’s caught him and cooked him yet.”
She gasps in mock horror.“No one would dare!Russell’s practically a town mascot.”
I shake my head, laughing.“Well, he did manage to free the rest of the turkeys.That was unexpected.”
“Oh, I don’t know.”Amelia leans against the dining table, amusement dancing in her eyes.“I think Russell’s smarter than he looks.”
I study her for a moment, and I find myself smiling.There’s something so magnetic about her leaning back, more comfortable, with her hair a little messy and faint paint smudges on her fingers from working on the signs.Which is exactly why I should leave right now.
Chapter 14
Amelia
Aweeklater,Ipull at the hem of my dress, nerves fluttering in my stomach just like last week.It’s from Adrian; knowing I’m about to see him.
Balancing the few things I picked up to finish the other baskets and games, I take a steadying breath to calm my nerves and knock on the door.Adrian wants to take one to work tomorrow, and since I grew up with younger siblings, I knew to go and ask Walter from the toy shop for donations.He was so generous when he found out it was to fix the CT scanner, as he’s used it before.The door swings open almost immediately, like Adrian’s been waiting for me.He leans against the frame.
“Geez, watch out.I might think you’re dying to see me.”I ignore my stomach flipping.“People might get the wrong idea.”
“I knew it would be you.Wasn’t expecting anyone else to knock this afternoon.”
“True.”
“Here, let me take that.”He reaches for the bags.
I let him.It’s nice to have someone help.
He takes everything from my hands, and I shake my head, trying to ignore the brushing of his fingers on my arm.
“I didn’t mean for you to take all of it.”
“That’s what I offered.I want to help you.Happy to do it.”
