His crew decided to work today so that they could have Thursday and Friday off.I had the parade on Saturday, so I'd be busy prepping for that.
He rounded the counter and stood next to me.
"Thank you for breakfast," I said as he turned my stool so that I was facing him.
A smile played on his lips."Thank you for a wonderful evening."
It really was magical.I could see why Eve was so adamant that we make the dances weekly.
Then he kissed me softly before grabbing his bag and heading toward the door.With one last smile, he was gone, and I was alone in my apartment.
Even though he was the one who wanted a date for holiday events, it was my life that had gotten fuller with Ford in it.My apartment was decorated for Christmas, I had plans for Thanksgiving, and I spent most nights with him, either at my place or his.
This was so much more than he'd proposed in the beginning, and I wasn't sure if it meant that we were in a relationship or not.But it sure felt like it.And I was enjoying it too much to walk away now.
After the parade, I'd ask him what it meant.Thanksgiving Day might still be tough, even though we were spending it with his family.I'd get through that, and the parade, then we could talk.I'd figure it out.
Until then, I'd keep treading water.
Ispent the week preparing for the parade on Saturday, fielding questions, and dealing with logistics, where the participating groups would line up for the parade and how quickly we'd have everyone proceed.
It was our first event, and I could view it as a trial, but I still wanted it to be good.If it wasn't, I'd never get the shop and restaurant owners on board with doing it again.It had to run smoothly, and we needed to ensure there was plenty of parking for everyone.
We'd opened a nearby field for overflow parking and hired high-school students to direct traffic.I'd contacted the police department, and they'd agreed to block off the road and station someone at the barrier.
It was shaping up to be a big event, bigger than what we'd originally anticipated.Reina from Sweet Dreams would open her store and have a booth outside serving goodies.Meg at Coffee Dreams was serving hot cocoa.She'd purchased a truck for events like this.
Our Thanksgiving meal was our biggest service of the year.There weren't many places that were open that day, so we were anticipating a lot of guests.
On Thursday, I woke up in Ford's arms, and we enjoyed our usual breakfast.He said he'd be by later to help with the meal.I went to the inn early to set the tables and handle any last-minute reservation changes.We were only open for three hours so that everyone could spend the rest of the day with their families.
By the time the first guests arrived, I was frazzled.I wasn't sure I could keep up this pace, especially through the holidays.I thought staying busy was the key to handling the first holiday without my parents, but I was worried it was too much.That I'd fall apart at an inopportune moment and screw everything up.
By the time Ford arrived, I was grateful for the extra hands.He helped serve food and seat customers.He was a natural with them, making small talk and getting whatever they needed.I wasn't sure we could have done it without him.
By the time the final person left the dining room, I was ready to sleep for a year, but we still needed to clean up."I've never worked in a restaurant before.It's tough.”
"Tell me about it," Eve said."I thought planning events was stressful, but that's nothing compared to dealing with hungry people and a run on apple pie."
I chuckled, then said to Eve, "Next year, order more apple pies."
"Who knew they are in such high demand?We ended up with more pumpkin pies than we needed."
"Maybe we can take a couple to Ford's family."I hadn't had time to even think of bringing something.
"I'm planning on taking whatever's leftover to a local shelter that's serving dinner," Eve said.
"Will you be able to stop by Ford's parents' still?"I asked her.
"I'll be there."Eve hugged me as one of the kitchen workers, James, brought out the trays of pies to take to the shelter.
My body ached, but I was looking forward to eating Thanksgiving dinner.It had always been my favorite meal of the year.Thanksgiving meant family.There was no pressure to buy gifts or for the day to be perfect.
The only thing was that I'd be missing mine and wouldn't be able to enjoy Ford's.
"Are you ready to head to my parents?"Ford asked.
"Let me change quick, and then we can go."
