“Ishould let you get on with your plans,” Cole says.
“Noplans,” I say quickly. “Well, Ihadplans, but they were canceled at the lastminute.”
“Soyou’re free right now?”
“Freeas an elf the day after Christmas.” I immediately wince at my ownbad joke—hazards of the job—but Cole chuckles.
“Feellike keeping me company in the diner while I wait for mycar?”
I nod and followhim inside. Just like he silently thanked whoever dropped the nailthat left him with a flat tire, I silently thank Mindy for bailingon me. I have some decisions to make regarding the future of ourfriendship, but for now I’m going to enjoy this unexpected timewith this equally unexpected man. Chances like this don’t comealong every day.
Inside, we pick anempty booth near the window and settle in. I can’t seem to keep myeyes off Cole as he unwinds his scarf and removes his coat, allwhile glancing around the diner. When his eyes land on mine, Irealize I’ve been sitting here staring, so I quickly remove my ownouterwear and grab a menu even though I know what I want. At leastit gives me something to do with my hands.
“What’sgood here?” Cole asks.
“Honestly? Everything. I was thinking about ordering poutine.Horatio, the cook, makes the best gravy.” I stop myself short oftelling him I was craving comfort food.
“Ahman, I haven’t had poutine in forever. Does that make me a badCanadian?”
“Nah.Maybe just a more health-conscious one?”
He chuckles. “Wantto share an order?”
“Nope,”I say, popping the P and loving the way Cole’s eyes go wide inamused surprise. “I want one all to myself.Butif you order something else, I’lllet you have a few of my fries. Maybe even a cheese curd ortwo.”
He lets out thatfull-body laugh again, the one that warmed my insides back at theVillage when I broke into a jig. “That’s very magnanimous of you,but if it’s that good I guess I’ll have to order myown.”
As Bea approachesto take our order, I can see the curiosity written all over herface; she’s only ever seen me in here with my parents or Mindy.When Cole glances at the drink menu, Bea wiggles her eyebrows at meand tilts her head in his direction. I press my lips together tohold back a laugh, hoping she doesn’t say anything embarrassing orask if we’re on a date. Bea isn’t exactly known for her filter orsubtlety.
Luckily, she takesour order and leaves without comment, returning a moment later withour drinks.
“So…”Cole says as he fixes his coffee with milk and sugar. “I’m guessingyou’re only an elf for a short time of the year?
“November and December, yeah. The rest of the year I work as anassistant coordinator at the Village.”
“Do youlike it?” he asks.
“I do.I always wanted to work with children or families. This isdifferent from what I expected, but I still love it. I took EarlyChildhood Education in college, but after doing a string ofplacements in daycares and schools, I decided I’m not cut out forthat. I worked as a nanny for a few years, but when the familymoved away, I got an office job and then eventually the job at theVillage. It allows me to work with families and kids in an indirectway.”
“Andyou’re satisfied with that?” Cole asks.
My eyebrows liftat the question.
“Sorry,” he says quickly. “I don’t mean to pry, I’m justgenuinely curious. I wanted to ask you a thousand questions at theVillage, but figured it might be weird.”
“That’sokay,” I tell him. It’s nice to have someone take an interest in meand my life. “I’mmostlysatisfied. I love the job itself and I really dolove the Village. I’d like to work directly with families, but I’mnot sure in what capacity. I guess it’s something I need to add tomy list of things to figure out next year.”
“Let2021 Sylvie figure that out,” he says, waving a hand.
I laugh. “Exactly.What about you? Do you like your job other than this oneless-than-desirable assignment?”
He raises his mugto his lips, but I can see the smile in his eyes. “For the mostpart, yes. It’s not exactly what I thought I’d be doing with mydegree in photojournalism, but it’s led to some fun opportunitiesand a bit of traveling. Plus it’s allowed me to meet some greatpeople I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
“Present company included, of course,” I say, motioning tomyself.
“Naturally.” He inclines his head and toasts me with his cup.“Present company is actually at thetopof the list of people I’m gratefulto have met through this job.”
I’m not surewhether I’m relieved or disappointed when Bea arrives right thenwith our food. I’m also not sure how I would have responded anyway.Is Cole flirting? Simply being friendly?
