“You will.” I’m still smiling, although nerves are flitting through my stomach. I didn’t realize how much Nathan’s approval meant to me. “Think you can handle it?”
“Hell yeah,” he says, then chuckles and grabs for Rex’s arm when the little boy elbows him. “Heckyeah. You belong here, Joss. With all of us.”
I blow out a shaky breath, trying hard to fight the stinging in my eyes. “Wow. I wouldn’t have pegged you for the sentimental type, Nathan.”
He ducks his head, letting out a low chuckle. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“Nathan and I are going on the next wagon,” Rex says. “Do you want to come with us?”
“I think we’ll wait a bit longer, if that’s okay,” I tell him. “We were just about to get something to eat. I’ll see you soon, though, okay? Maybe you can come over in the next few days and we can have a movie marathon and bake cookies or something.”
“Okay. And soon it’ll beChristmas! Only four more sleeps. I got you a present, but it’s okay if you didn’t get me anything. I don’t really need anything.”
I press my lips together to hold back a smile. My brief glance at Nathan shows him doing the same. “Does that mean I should return the presents I got you?”
Rex’s big brown eyes go comically wide. “No, don’t do that. If you already bought something…”
I laugh, bending to wrap my arms around him. “I’ll see you soon and I’ll give you your gifts when I see you, how’s that?”
“Aren’t you coming to Aunt Mae and Smurph’s for Christmas?”
I straighten, adjusting my coat and hat to buy myself a moment to think. “I’m not sure what my plans are yet for Christmas. I promise I’ll see you at some point, though.”
He looks like he wants to question this, but Nathan, bless him, announces the wagon is starting to load up for the next trip. We say our goodbyes, and I find Nat and Selma hovering near the Sweet Escapes food stall, perusing the menu.
“Who wasthatand is he single?” Nat asks.
“Down, girl,” I say with a laugh. “I’m not sure Nathan could handle you.”
Natalie’s wicked grin makes me groan. “We’ll see about that,” she says.
Shaking my head, I point to the menu and recommend a few of my personal favorites, including the mince tarts I taste tested for Mae last month and the chocolate cupcakes with peppermint icing, which were Fiona’s idea. When each of us has a treat in hand a few minutes later, we wander around Town Square, admiring the giant Christmas tree and making plans for when the girls come back next month to start filming.
The clip clop of horses’ hooves draws our attention about half an hour later. We get in line for the next light tour and only have to wait a few minutes before it’s time to climb aboard the wagon.
As Nat and Selma climb on ahead of me, I stuff my mittens into my pocket so I can grip the bar without my fingers slipping. As I start to haul myself up, Nat glances over my shoulder and says, “One of your mitts just fell out of your pocket.”
“Oh, shoot, thanks.” I step down and come face to face with Liam. He bends to retrieve my mitten and then just stands there, staring at me. His expression is unreadable, but I don’t miss the way his eyes rove over my face and hair, drinking me in. Without a word, he hands me my rogue mitten.
“Th-thanks,” I say. “I didn’t know if you’d be here tonight.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he says. “Think there’s room for one more on this ride?”
“There’s a spot right here!” Nat says at the same time Selma says, “Why don’t you two catch the next one?”
So helpful, my friends. Liam’s expression remains neutral at my questioning look. I want to talk to him—needto talk to him—but this really doesn’t seem like the appropriate time or place. Besides, I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to ride in a horse-drawn wagon and see Honeywell all lit up.
“Wanna join us?” I ask. At Liam’s nod, I step into the wagon and take a seat. There’s just enough room for him to sit beside me. The way Nat and Selma are squished together, arms around each other, makes me think they purposely made room for Liam where there wasn’t room before.
The driver of the wagon checks to make sure we’re all settled before giving the command to the horses to start walking. I introduce Liam to Nat and Selma, and then the two of them put their heads together and start talking, likely in an attempt to give us some privacy. Or lull me intothinkingthey’re giving us privacy since I’m sure they’ll eavesdrop the moment Liam and I start talking.
Turns out I don’t need to worry about them listening in because Liam and I remain silent as the wagon moves slowly through the streets. Despite wanting to say something—anything—my mind is completely blank. I stare ahead at the lights, looking at them without reallyseeingthem since I’m so focused on the man to my left.
After several minutes, Liam shifts and his hand slips into mine. My heart kicks into overdrive at the contact. He leans in closer, his warm breath brushing my face and making me shiver involuntarily. “Is this okay?” he asks. I nod so quickly I nearly give myself whiplash. “I know we have a lot to talk about, and I don’t want you to think I’m trying to brush aside what happened, but…I couldn’t be this close to you andnottouch you.”
Still at a loss for words, I simply entwine my fingers with his and cover both our hands with my free one. When I gaze back up at the lights adorning businesses, houses, and yards, their sudden Technicolor splendor feels like the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
*****
