“Here’s the judging schedule for Christmas Eve,” she explains, handing it to Claire. “And all of the entries.”
“Actually, we were wondering if you had a minute to chat,” I ask, removing my crown.
“I don’t. I have somewhere I need to be.”
“But it’ll only take a moment,” Claire tries.
“Bye now,” Stella says, waving toward a group of people passing by us. “I know you two must be feeling nervous about the judging, but I find the key to it all is just to really lean into the spirit of the town and give into the magic.”
“Is that how we get?—”
“Stella!” Another pink-haired woman interrupts Claire, calling out from the kitchen.
“Be there in a minute.” Stella lifts her arm to acknowledge the other woman. “Alright, you two, I’m so looking forward to the Extravaganza,” she says, beginning to walk away. “Be there at oneo’clock sharp. I expect you to be in your crowns and sashes since an SDN photographer will be present.”
Claire nods, and a knot forms in my stomach.
“Oh, and please for the love of Christmas, do not be late. The whole event revolves around the competition, and we can’t have it delayed,” she sings, looking over her shoulder. Without another word, she disappears into the kitchen, and my gaze shifts to Claire.
“Did she say SDN?” I whisper.
“I think so. Why, have you heard of that before?”
“The reporter with the pink hair said that was who she was with.”
“Okay…” she says, blinking and looking around the restaurant. The wheels behind her eyes turn as she tries to process everything. Placing my hand on her lower back, I move us toward the door, not sure what our next move should be, but determined to figure it out.
Chapter 19: When In Rome
Claire
My brain feels like it’s in overdrive. Stella just disappeared before we could get any real information from her, leaving us with nothing but a piece of paper and more cryptic messages. I’m also in desperate need of coffee and, at this point, probably some food.
Exhaling, I fold the schedule and slip it into my coat pocket and remove the crown from my head.
“You want to go check out the coffee shop?” I ask, looking over at Everett as we move toward the front of the diner. His brow is knitted together and his hair falls messily across the top of this forehead.
“We can. What do you think the reporter being with SDN means?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you think I’m right about falling in love?”
“I don’t know,” I repeat. “That was…”
“A lot?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, let’s get some coffee and then we can try to make sense of everything.”
“Table for two?” a woman standing behind us asks as Everett reaches for the door of the diner. She can’t be over five feet tall, and her curvy frame is accentuated by the striped apron resembling acandy cane tied around her waist. Blonde hair highlighted pink hits right below her chin and brings out the rosiness of her cheeks.
“Oh…um…we were just heading out,” I say.
“Nonsense,” she says. “I heard you say you were grabbing coffee, and we have plenty. Plus we have food too, and I know Everett can always eat.”
He shrugs. “I am a little hungry.”
