Natasha chewed her lip."That's what I'm worried about.That we'll have more people than we can handle."
"That's a good problem to have," Aspen said.
"I just want everything to be perfect," Natasha said, looking away.
"It's your first time hosting a parade.There might be some hiccups along the way, but I'm positive you and Eve can handle it."The sisters were great at planning and organizing.I was positive they'd thought of every possible scenario.
Natasha smiled at me, and I felt everyone watching us closely.
"Have you two reconnected?"Mom finally asked.
I let out a breath."We've been hanging out.Natasha was nice enough to take pity on me and escort me to a few holiday events in town."Then I smiled at Natasha."I think we still need to do a holiday light trail."
"Once the parade is over, I'm yours,” Natasha said.
"Maybe Sunday then," I said, and she nodded.
"Oh?What other things did you do?"Mom asked, curiosity filling her tone.
"Oh, let's see."I folded my knee in my lap, holding it in place, and looked at Natasha for her acknowledgment."We went to the old theater in Christmas Town for a holiday showing.We cut down our Christmas trees.Then we went to the weekly holiday ball, which is not to be missed."
"It's a real ball where everyone gets dressed up in gowns and tuxes.We offer a spa package, hair and makeup, and even a dress try-on session."
Aspen raised her brow."That sounds friendly."
Natasha's cheeks flushed pink."Eve asked the fire department to drive their trucks in the parade in exchange for us providing the venue for their holiday party.Eve was there too.We wanted everything to go smoothly."
Natasha made it sound like it was a work thing, but we both knew it wasn't.
Aspen curled her feet underneath her."I saw that on the schedule and wondered if Eve was going to rent out the ballroom for similar events.”
"This was done as a favor, but I don't see why not.It's perfect for something like that,” Natasha said, easily switching into work mode.
I could tell these two often talked about business decisions.Aspen worked with two small business owners, Eve and Natasha with Christmas Town, and Noelle with her personal assistant business at Wilde Ski Resort.I wondered if she wanted to open a business of her own and was learning everything she could from others who had done the same.
I didn't know what kind of business she'd want to open.She never expressed interest in anything in particular.
"I think it's great you're getting out there more," Mom said to me.
I shifted on the couch.Every movement slid me closer to Natasha."I missed out on a lot when I was enlisted.And I want to immerse myself in everything our hometown has to offer," I said easily, hoping they wouldn't read too much into our activities.
Dad shifted in his chair and cleared his throat."You two are spending a lot of time together.”
"Between the renovation of the inn and ensuring that Ford has a good holiday now that he's home, we have seen each other frequently.It's been nice to clear the air about our past and move forward as friends," Natasha said smoothly.
My heart dropped when she saidas friends,but I knew on a logical level she did that to steer my parents and Aspen away from the relationship train of thought.Then why did it hurt so much to hear her characterize us this way?We'd been spending most nights together, and we couldn't seem to keep our hands off each other.
"That's so nice to hear," Mom said, pleased with her answer.But Aspen had a glint in her eye.She was going to have questions for me when I saw her again.
Thankfully, my brothers came inside, tossing the football to each other.
"No balls in the house.Take off your muddy boots, please," Mom chided, and it was like no time had passed.I was seventeen again, living in my parents' house, thinking about what the future would bring.I never thought I'd be gone for so long, but now that I was back, I was eager to soak up every moment with my family and Natasha.
Cooper tossed the ball to Aspen and dropped onto the couch next to her.
Her nose wrinkled as she held it away from her body."Does it look like I want a muddy ball?"
"You looked like you had a stick up—" Then Cooper trailed off, realizing that Mom and Dad were watching him."You could use a little dirtying up."
