“I know ... I know.” I heave a heavy sigh. “I’m frustrated with myself. The moment I heard she was back in town, I should have gone up to her, apologized, and tried to fix this tension between us. But I was scared and proud, and I didn’t think she’d even look in my direction, so I’ve just been stewing all month.”
“And look where that got you.” Arden gestures to my clothes. “I think it’s time you change up tactics, don’t you? Trust me when I say if you love her, you need to fight. I know this from experience. I once loved and lost but never fought. I regret it to this day. If you still love her and she’s in Bright Harbor for good, then I think it’s time you fix things.”
Loved and lost and never fought. That was me when we first broke up. And Arden is right: I did regret it. I regretted it every day. And now that she’s back, since we’ve been sharing these letters and I can put a face to the name, it just sends a laser-sharp realization straight to my heart that this is it. This is my second chance, and if I don’t do something now, I could lose her forever.
“You’re right,” I answer and then glance down at the paint. “First things first, though: clean up. While I do that, I need you to do something for me.”
“What?” he asks.
“Go across the street and order me a coffee and cinnamon bun.”
“There’s still a piece left.” Arden gestures to the nearly empty plate.
“Go.” I point toward the door while Arden grumbles under his breath. There’s no way I can work on an empty stomach.
Dear Resting Scrooge Face,
Toe tapping, sugar cookies, hot chocolate ... sniffing pine trees? What have you done with the pessimistic Christmas hater I met several letters ago?
Not that I’m blaming you, because I very much share the same sentiment.
These letters, well, they’re what I look forward to. They put a smile on my face, and even though I enjoy seeing Arden deliver me a green envelope, I’m starting to think that maybe, I don’t know ... we meet?
**Winces** I know, that might be asking a lot, but I feel like we have a bond, and I don’t know, maybe we don’t have to be alone while we’re secretly hating ourselves for enjoying the mouthwatering, sugary goodness of a fresh-baked Christmas cookie.
What do you think? Am I being too brazen?
Be honest.
Sincerely,
Ho Ho No
Chapter Five
**NOLA**
You’re smiling,” Grandma Louise says as she walks into the kitchen.
“What? No, I’m not,” I answer, not sure why I’m denying it.
Well, actually that’s a lie. I know exactly why I’m denying it—I don’t want to tell her the reason I’m smiling. She’ll ask too many questions, but between you and me, I can’t get the image of Caleb covered in paint out of my head.
How the paint splattered up his nose.
The way he slipped, legs flying in the air.
And his white-coated jaw as he clenched it.
Thankfully I believe the only thing he hurt was his pride—otherwise I wouldn’t be smiling so much.
“I saw it, you were smiling.” She pokes my cheek.
“I don’t smile, Grandma. Remember, I’m the Christmas Curmudgeon.” I wink and then move toward the living room, where I finish my paint prep. Hopefully Arden brings it soon.
“You haven’t been very curmudgeon-y lately. You watched a part ofMeet Me in St.Louiswith me last night.”
“Your point?” I ask.
