I squirmed. “No, you liked him. Well, you liked his coffee.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked, his mouth still half-full.
Aunt Coral’s voice pierced through the microphone. “Zack!”
I glanced over my shoulder. “Please cover for me? I’ll owe you big.”
“Fine.” He sighed. “What?” he shouted to his mother.
I flinched and ended the call. Hopefully, our mothers didn’t give him the full inquisition. I just wanted to enjoy the Winter Festival–and a first date.
Thankfully, I found a good parking spot, so I didn't have to worry about ice skating across the lot with Harvey after this. I waited near the festival entrance, blowing warm air in my hands and resisting the instinct to wave to families walking past. Sugarplum could get away with smiling at strangers. As Shelby, I’d look ridiculous.
A few minutes later, a tall man in an olive cap caught my eye.
“Harvey.” I waved, bouncing so he'd see me in the crowd.
He perked up and smiled, striding over on long legs. “You’re early.”
“I was excited.”
“I am, too.” His cheeks flushed and he stuffed his hands in his pockets.
Aw, was he nervous? I clasped my hands, trying not to swoon, and spun towards the winter-renovated park next to the golf course. “What do you want to do first?”
He jerked his chin at the entrance. “This is your domain. I’ll let you lead.”
“Okay.” I twisted my hands behind my back and meandered down the path. The smell of apple cider tickled my chilly nose. “I think we should start with a hot drink. It'll ease you into something familiar before going to the Sparkle Zone.”
“Thesparkle zone?No wonder you’re so excited.” He chuckled.
“It’s more about the company,” I admitted. “Whenever I’m here with my family, I end up babysitting.”
“Don’t you like kids? Relatively speaking,” he said.
I sucked in a deep breath, looking up at the dusky sky. “I don’t mind entertaining. I love making them happy. But actually being responsible for them?”
A kid who could barely walk in their snowsuit took off running and promptly tripped over their own feet. The dad had to snatch them mid-air and scoop them into his arms.
I shook Harvey’s arm and whispered, “See? I bet he’ll have to carry them for the next two hours. And they’ll fight it, squirming. Now times that by three and you’ve got a night out with my cousins.”
“You’re enough trouble as it is,” he suggested dryly.
I knocked into his side. “Hey, I’m a delight.”
“I’m just saying, I can’t carry you through this whole thing. I’ll stick to escorting.” He nudged his elbow out.
Snickering, I looped my arm through his and explored the venue. Snow owl and reindeer puppets floated through the air. I watched them dance as Harvey studied the bags of beans by the coffee kiosk.
“I’ll take that specialty dark roast.” He turned to me. “What do you want, Shelby?”
Startled, I backed up. “You don’t have to pay for me.”
He tugged his wallet out of his back pocket. “I invited you here, so let me treat you for something. Do you also want a cookie?”
“Yes,” I said emphatically. This guy was amazing. He really knew me. Or he knew my order, at least.
After we got our orders, I bit into a gingerbread cookie tree. At the faintest hint of cinnamon, I wiggled my hips. “Mm, so tasty. Do you want to try any?”
