As long as I have him in my life, I’ll have everything I need.
Chapter Two
CHARLIE
WHY AM I FRIENDS WITH YOU?
“Hey, Hunter.” I stride toward him and drop a peck onto his cheek.
“Charlie.” Hunter holds open the door to the Melted Snowman as a wall of heat and the fresh scent of chocolate greet us. “I’d ask how you’re doing, but I think I know.”
I scoff at him as we head to the counter to order our drinks. “Umm, rude. I’m doing great.”
Hunter rolls his eyes as we wait on our peppermint hot chocolates. “Brooks is moving in today, right?”
“Yes.”
Hunter gives me a knowing nod, his slouchy, knit hat not doing much to keep his blond hair out of his bright blue eyes. If I didn’t know Hunter better, I’d guess he was a surfer from California.
But he hates people and loves the outdoors of Maine.
Grabbing the oversized mug from the barista, I spin on my heel and take in the busy cafe. Red-and-white stripedwallpaper is barely visible behind photos of the town that cover the walls. A mishmash of squashy armchairs and tables fill the space. Mini Christmas trees sit on the tables, and garland hangs from the icy windows.
If the Christmas spirit weren’t alive and well in me already, I couldn’t resist it here.
Spotting a couple leaving, I navigate through the tight space and drop down onto a chair by the window that faces the sidewalk.
“So, you’re hiding out with me instead of helping Brooks?” Hunter asks after he sits down across from me. He shrugs out of his jacket, and his denim shirt, with the Naughty Pine Tree Farm logo, is stretched tight across his chest.
“Excuse me!” I jab a finger in his direction. “I am not hiding.”
“You’re not?” Hunter raises one pointed brow at me.
“Stop it. Brooks didn’t want my help.”
I take a hearty sip of my cocoa to try and put an end to this conversation. But I’m not that lucky.
“I’m worried about you.”
“Why?” I ask. Snow is starting to fall outside the window.
“You know why.” Hunter gives me a pointed look.
“It’ll be fine.”
Hunter snorts over his own sip of his drink. “Fine? Really?”
“I don’t know why I’m friends with you. The way you go blabbing things to people that don’t need to know it.”
“Are you still mad that I told Brooks about you getting drunk in Canada?”
“Excuse me. You told him I got arrested in Canada.”
That gets a beaming smile out of Hunter. Or as close to one as he is likely to give. “What? It’s funny.”
“Not when it’s because I was sad Brooks got married.”
“And if he gets married again, I’ll be sure to take you toCanada and let you get drunk again. And maybe not let you get arrested.”
