REAL REAL
Everything looks perfect. Everything isgoingperfect. I don’t want to jinx it, but fuck. Everyone is having fun.
The line for hot chocolate and snickerdoodles is longer than the wait for Santa. Happy laughter fills the air as kids take a ride through the trees on the train.
And here comes the person I’m most excited to see.
“Hunter. Wow.” The lights sparkle in his eyes. “This looks great.”
“Thanks.”
“Everyone looks really happy.”
“I’m going to take the train out here in a little bit. Want to go for a ride?”
“Sure. I’m going to grab some hot chocolate before.” He throws a thumb behind him. “Do you want one?”
I shake my head. “I’m good. Don’t go flirting with any other men while you wait.”
“Please. Do you think I’m going to go off and find anyone when your mom will be popping up any minute?”
“Just making sure.”
He rolls his eyes at me before walking over to take his place in line.
I linger a fraction longer than I should, staring at his ass, before I go help out with taking tickets.
The family fun night is something I started doing a couple of years ago and people love it. Train rides. Santa visiting. Free ornament painting for all the kids.
Everyone loves it—it’s one of the best nights of the year. I’ve always loved working this night.
Tonight? I wish I were walking around with Ollie. Holding his hand, pulling him close.
Shit.
For a fake relationship, I can’t stop thinking about Ollie in a veryrealway. Thinking things I haven’t felt in a long time. Since I dumped my boyfriend and moved home. I locked all those feelings up. Everyone told me what a grump I was being about relationships. Well, as Charlie said, I was being a dick about relationships.
Maybe it was because I needed someone like Ollie?
Again, not what I need to be thinking about right now. The repetitive task of taking tickets and talking to guests helps clear my thoughts.
“Wow, this place is hopping,” Charlie says, walking up hand-in-hand with Brooks.
“Always the most popular night,” I say, waving them in.
“Do you want some help?” Brooks ask.
“If you wouldn’t mind taking tickets for a bit so I can do one train ride, that’d be great.”
“Sure thing. I know you said I didn’t have to work, but I can.”
“I want you to enjoy your night.”
The way I wish I could with Ollie.
Brooks shoves me out of the ticket booth. “Go do some train rides and come back. You can at least have a little fun.”
“Thanks.”
