“Fine. I’ll come. But if I’m not having fun after one drink, I’m leaving.”
I clap my hands together in excitement. “You’ll have a blast. Bring Oliver. He’ll have fun.”
That brings out a genuine smile when I mention Hunter’s best friend in town. “I will pass the message along.”
“Good. Now, I need to be getting home. Be a good landlord and greet my houseguest.”
Hunter reaches across the table and drops his hand on my arm.
“Look, I’m only saying this because you’re my friend, Charlie. You’re in love with him. I know he’s your best friend, but this is a bad idea. Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean Brooks is going to magically fall in love with you.”
“I know that, Hunter,” I scoff. “It will be fine.”
“Famous last words.”
By the timeI leave the Melted Snowman, heavy snow is falling. Bright strands of white lights are wrapped around streetlamps. It looks like live fairies twinkling against the iron posts.
It puts a smile on my face as I shove my hands into my gloves and head through town toward home. Even with the snow, the town is busy. People are moving in and out of the stores. Carolers are standing in the town square serenading tourists and townspeople alike.
This time of year in Moose Falls is always my favorite. No one is unhappy. There’s a smile on everyone’s face, and there is always something going on. It’s one of the best times to visit.
Even though we have a lot of people come and stay during the summer for trips out on the water, it’s this time of year that’s magical.
I love it.
When my cream and green cedar-shake house comes into view, the smile on my face grows. The sidewalk is already shoveled, and a stream of smoke is coming out from the chimney.
With Brooks moving in today, I took the night off from the Tinsel Tavern. When I offered to help him unpack, he shut me down and told me to get out of the house.
Something about not seeing how little he had left after the divorce.
“Hello?” I call out as I push open the front door. The smell of sugar hits me immediately.
Claws click on the floor as a giant ball of yellow fluff comes running up to me. “Hi, Comet.”
I drop down onto my knees to pet him as he throws hispaws over my shoulders. His tongue is hanging out of his mouth as I rub his soft fur.
“Someone is happy to see you.”
Brooks steps into the small foyer, a kitchen towel thrown over his shoulder. He’s dressed in a pair of black sweats and a sweatshirt. With his feet bare, he’s made himself at home.
And it has my heart catching in my chest.
“Hey. Did you get settled in?”
Standing, I shrug out of my coat, take off my gloves, and slip out of my boots.
Brooks turns to head into the living room and I follow him. Just like Comet.
It doesn’t look like he moved in at all. The living room, with its natural wood walls and high vaulted ceiling, has a few extra books stacked in the built-ins next to the fireplace, but that’s it. A new candle is burning on the dining room table, sitting in front of a bay window that overlooks the lake just beyond, and a plate of fresh cookies waiting to be eaten sits on the gray marble counter.
Still like my house, with only a few traces of Brooks’s presence.
“I’d say so.”
“Wow.” I drop into one of the barstools and grab a cookie. Chocolate chip. My favorite. “Did you get everything unpacked?”
Brooks nods, patting Comet before he heads into the second bedroom upstairs. As much as Comet is over here, I’ve always kept a bed here for him. “A few boxes in my closet, but everything is where it needs to be for now.”
