“That would look great on my feed,” Foster tapped a stranger on the shoulder. She spun, her auburn hair lifting off her shoulders, and the scent of vanilla bean wafted around them. He jerked his hand back as if he’d been shocked. “Sorry. Excuse me?”
“Yes?” she smiled easily. Her eyes took them both in fast, and Lauren stood up straighter.
“Oh, sweetie, you need this.” She reached into her black purse with two leather tassels and handed Lauren a package. On the outside, it read: Ring Sizer. She narrowed her eyes as she looked at the two rubber tubed inside. “What is it?”
The woman opened the package and reached for Lauren’s hand. As soon as their skin touched, a warmth spread through Lauren–like someone had poured cocoa into her veins.
“It will stop your ring from spinning.” She clipped the rubber tube onto the engagement ring. The added bulk did indeed make it feel more secure.
“Thanks!” Lauren smiled at her. The cold returned as soon as she stepped away, the cold returned, causing goosebumps on her arms and race up to her neck. “How did you know I needed that?”
The woman shrugged. “It’s a gift. I’m Robyn, and this is my husband, Gabe. Didn’t Nick do a wonderful job leading the sing-along?” She motioned to Santa.
“Robyn.” He ducked his head and kicked the snow.
“What? I’m proud of you.” She shoved his shoulder.
“We both are,” added Gabe.
Foster wiggled his phone at Robyn. “Are you ready to take that picture?”
Robyn took the phone. Nick stepped between her and Foster, one arm around each of their shoulders. Lauren was warm again. Sheesh! This proposal had thrown her out of whack. She took a deep breath.
“Say Merry Christmas!” said Robyn happily.
“Merry Christmas,” they chimed. She handed Foster back his phone, and he opened his social media profile.
“Thank you,” she said to Robyn, Gabe, and Santa. Placing a hand on Foster’s arm, she interrupted his captioning. “Don’t you think we should wait to post the news? You know, until you can tell your parents, and I can tell my friends?”
He shook his head. “This is so much better. Imagine their faces.” He hit publish.
“I would have liked to see their faces.” She kept her tone even as she tamped down her frustrations. Everyone at work would know before she stepped into the office. It didn’t feel right.
“Did you get what you wanted for Christmas this year?” asked Santa. He held onto his belly as if it would fall out of his costume.
Lauren startled, suddenly remembering the wish she’d made to the sidewalk Santa. Was this the same guy? He must be overjoyed to know she’d gotten engaged tonight–perhaps he had a little taste of what it was like to be the real Santa. “Of course.” She motioned to her ring. “What woman wouldn’t want a ring like this?” Even as she said it, her thoughts jumped to her grandmother’s ring stored in her mother’s jewelry box. It had always been her intent to wear it for a wedding ring. Foster would be upset if she didn’t wear this one, though. She frowned at her hand.
Santa tapped her shoulder. “I think delivery may have been delayed. Don’t despair. We Kringles always deliver.”
She locked eyes with him, and his swirled. She blinked. That wasn’t right. Eyes didn’t…
“Merry Christmas!” He walked away, joining Robyn and Gabe.
“If we hurry, I can put the rolls in the oven,” said Robyn.
“Do you think Ginger and Joseph are back from delivering gifts?” asked Gabe.
Lauren tuned out of their conversation and refocused on her fiance, who was busy scrolling through the comments and replying. Was she going to spend the rest of her life staring at the top of his head?
That wasn’t fair. He was excited to share their news with his social network.
A moment later, he tucked his phone into his coat and linked arms with her. “Let’s wander under the fairy lights and dream about our lives together. I want to share all the things I want us to do–starting with skiing in Aspen and then kayaking in Peru. It will be so romantic.”
Lauren felt like she’d put on a coat that was one size too small. Talking about how romantic something would be kind of took the romance out of the moment. However, she walked with him and listened to every word as he painted a picture of how their lives would be from that point on. She had to admit; it didn’t sound horrible.
He didn’t ask her what she wanted. Not once.
That night, as she slipped between the sheets, Lauren tried not to think about the look on Jacob’s face when Foster proposed. Was it regret she read there?
