“I don’t know aboutthat,” I say. “We’ll be like ships passing in the night. You dropping off and picking up Rex. Me meeting you somewhere to take him back to my place.”
“Me thanking you by taking you out to dinner. You inviting me in for a snowflake cookie or two when I pick up Rex…”
I laugh. “You’re incorrigible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
Rex zooms over to us, a half-eaten soft pretzel dangling from his mitten-clad fingers. “They’re about to start!” He wraps the giant pretzel in a handful of bedraggled napkins and shoves it into one of his uncle’s coat pockets, despite Liam’s protests. Liam’s grumbling dies when Rex takes his hand and then turns to me, giving me a smile that completely melts my heart as he reaches for my hand. I can’t remember ever being that innocent and trusting.
Liam and I lock gazes over Rex’s head. I only have a moment to contemplate the soft, grateful smile on his face before Rex tugs on our hands and pulls us through the crowd toward the tree. I half listen to the mayor’s speech about the community and the approaching holiday season. Most of my attention is on the Honeywell residents around me, ranging from families to couples to groups of teens. Everyone else is listening intently to Madam Mayor, their faces practically glowing with happiness and anticipation. Just like I don’t remember ever being as innocent and trusting as Rex, I also don’t remember ever feeling such palpable excitement.
Mae sidles up behind us, planting her hands on Rex’s shoulders and shooting me a grin. “You ready?”
I snap out of my daze and turn my attention to the mayor, who’s now standing in front of a giant red button and leading a countdown. I get swept up in the moment, calling out numbers along with everyone else. As the shout of “one!” rings through the crowd, the mayor hits the button and the tree illuminates with thousands of colored lights.
I’m instantly embarrassed by the quiet gasp that escapes me. I didn’t expect to haveanyreaction—I’ve been in countless tree-lighting-ceremony scenes in movies—and I certainly didn’t expect to be filled with awe at the sight before me. Thankfully, the sound is swallowed by all the other gasps and exclamations around me. Rex lets out a cheer, dropping Liam’s and my hands so he can alternately clap and wave his arms.
“Spectacular, isn’t it?” Mae asks. “Each year, I can’t imagine it being any better than the year before, and yet the town never fails to outdo itself.”
“It’s really something,” I murmur, eyes still glued to the tree. When my gaze finally swings to meet hers, she has that knowing look I’ve come to expect.
I anticipate a comment about how I’ve fallen under the Honeywell spell. Instead, she tilts her head to the side, and I follow the motion to see Liam standing a few feet away, holding Rex in his arms so the little boy has a better view of the tree.
“I had the strongest sense of déjà vu a few minutes ago.” Mae shifts closer to me, speaking quietly even though most people have moved closer to the tree. “Rex looks just like Liam did at that age. Nathan’s mom and I were best friends, and we always took the kids to as many events as we could. We loved Liam like one of our own and did all we could to make sure he didn’t miss out on anything. All these years later, it breaks my heart to see history repeating itself with Thea and Rex.”
Between the soft glow from the Christmas tree lights and Mae’s proximity, I notice the dark circles under her eyes for the first time. I think back to what Rex said about Mr. Murphy being sick. That must be a lot to contend with on top of running Sweet Escapes and helping with Rex. On impulse, I put my arm around her shoulders. Despite the slight lift of her brows, she doesn’t hesitate to shuffle closer and loop one of her arms around my waist.
“Rex has so many people who love him,” I say. “And he and Liam have you. I may be new here, but it doesn’t take an expert to see how much Liam loves and respects you.Andappreciates you.”
Mae’s chin trembles. “I still love him like my own, you know. Rex too.” She straightens suddenly and plasters on a smile. Rex barrels over a second later, throwing his arms around both of us.
“Isn’t the tree beautiful? I told Uncle Liam I want that many lights onourtree, but he said the house couldn’t handle it. He said I can come look at this one whenever I want,andhe said he’d put as many lights on ours as he can. Are you ready to go inside for the movie?”
I’m not sure the kid took a single breath between sentences. It takes my brain a few beats to catch up with everything he said. Mae must be used to it because she replies right away. “No movie for me tonight, I’m afraid. I need to get home to Mr. Murphy.”
Rex’s disappointment only lasts a second before he perks back up. “Will you take a picture of me in front of the tree and show it to him? And tell him I miss him and I love him and I’ll come see him soon so we can finish readingThe Lightning Thieftogether?”
“Absolutely. You go find the perfect spot to pose while I say good night to Joss and your uncle.”
As Rex runs off through the thinning crowd toward the tree, Liam gives Mae a long, tight hug. “Give Murph my love too,” he says. “Tell him I’ll be over to visit in a day or two.”
“I will.” Mae pats Liam’s cheek and follows it with a quick kiss. She kisses my cheek next. “Take care of each other and that sweet boy.” Her gaze moves to find Rex; she lets out a little laugh when she spots him hopping up and down and waving her over. “Speaking of that sweet boy, I’d better go take his picture. I’ll see you two soon.”
When she’s gone, Liam crosses his arms over his chest and releases a quiet sigh.
“What’s wrong with Mr. Murphy?” I ask.
A muscle clenches in his jaw. “Cancer. He’s been sick for a while now. Took treatment, but it wasn’t working and was making him feel like shit, so he stopped.”
Laughter catches my attention, and I turn to see Mae kneeling on the ground beside Rex, taking a selfie of the two of them. She’s always so bright and upbeat, and she does so much for other people. I never would have guessed she was dealing with so much worry and heartache.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “For all of you.”
Liam keeps his eyes trained on Mae and Rex as he nods. “Me too. Seamus Murphy is the best man I know. He’s been like a father to me, and a grandfather to Rex. We try to spend as much time with him as we can since…”
He trails off and clears his throat roughly, pressing his lips into a hard line. After telling me Mr. Murphy is no longer taking treatment, I don’t need him to finish the sentence to understand his meaning.
He turns to me suddenly, his arms dropping to his sides. “I need you to make me a deal.”
