I wasn’t really interested in dancing either. Just being where he was. “Sure.”
I grabbed my wool wrap off the back of my chair and practically walked on air as he put his hand on my lower back and led me outside. I did my best to ignore the stares and whispers, but since most were coming from my family’s table, it was hard.
It was difficult enough to find someone to talk to, and doing it under the watchful and protective eyes of the whole Bell-Silver clan was an adventure in itself. I knew I was going to get peppered with questions the next time I was alone with any of my clan. It was part of the deal.
We walked down the chapel’s stairs and over to the massive white gazebo in the nearby town square. Now that the chill air was perfectly still, it made the cold much more tolerable. I was glad the town had shoveled the morning’s snow off the mainsidewalk. The Christmas lights encircling the dome had been changed to pale pink in honor of the Valentine’s Day holiday, but there was still holly and garland wrapped around the banister as we stepped inside the gazebo. Nearby, the massive permanent Christmas tree had been trimmed with hundreds of little white lights and tiny pink hearts, sparkling like festive champagne in the snowy square.
“How does the town decorate for 4thof July or in summer?” Connor seemed amused by the holiday appropriation.
I smiled. “You mean do we have Santa in red, white, and blue board shorts?”
He nodded.
“Yep.”
That made him laugh again. “Can’t say I’m surprised.”
“My dad, Luke, is the Santa.”
He grinned. “That makes sense. Six-pack Santa.”
We stood looking out at the town, all aglow with twinkling Christmas lights in every storefront window, and some with red and white for Valentine’s Day.
“Look over there,” Connor said quietly, pointing in the distance where Max, Holly, and Rudy stood under the town’s glowing Christmas tree.
“Is that…” I gasped, then dropped my voice to a whisper. “Is he doing what I think he’s doing?”
Max and Rudy the Reindeer had both taken a knee in front of Holly. Max held a small velvet box up for Holly to see. I couldn’t hear what she said when he opened the box, but I heard the squeal. I laughed as she catapulted herself onto Max, knocking all three of them onto the ground.
“I take it that’s a yes,” Connor said, nodding his head. “Good for them! I hope they’ll be very happy together.”
Thrilled for Holly, I knew now that her news would be bigger than any speculation I might have to face about a few danceswith the new guy in town, and that suited me just fine. Max was a good guy, and Holly’s tough exterior hid a soft heart that loved Max fiercely. I could see how they’d been growing into each other, becoming a couple when they once were solo, and that was lovely to see.
Connor and I walked to the other side of the gazebo and turned away to give them privacy, but continued looking out at the town all aglow with lights. So many emotions whirled inside me I could barely sort them out, and I wasn’t sure I even wanted to try. I just felt good for the first time in a long time, and even more than that, I felt like myself.
The true Ivy Bell.
The one I hadn’t really known existed. I hadn’t been awakened or fulfilled by some magic kiss. I’d become more confident because of what I’d learned and what I’d gone through.
“Connor?” I slipped my hand into his as he turned to stare down at me. But when I went on tiptoe and wrapped my arms around his neck, his eyes went wide, and he took a step backward.
“Ivy, I’m not sure if—”
“Oh, my gosh!” I jerked backward out of his arms and pulled my shawl around my shoulders. “I can’t believe I read this so wrong.” I felt the hot flush of embarrassment on my face.
“No, Ivy. It’s not that! It’s just I—”
“Don’t. Just don’t.” I turned and fled down the gazebo stairs, ignoring Connor as he called my name. What had I been thinking? He was trying to be kind, that was all, to make up for our initial conflict and that stupid, stupid bet.
Once again, I’d made an idiot of myself.
Typical Ivy Bell, misreading the room.
When I darted back inside the empty chapel, I leaned against the door and closed my eyes, humiliation washing over me. I could hear the party still going on in the reception hall next door.
Did Connor not see me the way I thought of him?
Clearly not. Did he just want to be friends? Why would he touch my face and hold me close if he only wanted friendship? How was I going to face him tomorrow?
