“This is probably a bit more kid-centric than you expected,” Angel says, sounding apologetic about it. “I’m guessing when you’ve come to the Winter Wonderland Walk, you stuck to the areas with more adults.” She glances in the direction of Main Street, where the road’s been closed to traffic to allow for a cluster of food trucks and an assortment of vendors. The crowdis definitely older over there, while the park is filled with dozens of kids and their parents.
She’s right that I didn’t really think about how many kid activities there would be. But truth is, I don’t mind it. It’s nice, watching Haley bounce from one display to another. I’ve enjoyed sharing in her excitement. And I can’t deny the flush of pleasure that comes whenever she tugs on my arm to show me something.
I never,everwould have thought it, standing in Blissful Brew that day, when Hazel asked me to check on Angel. That I’d be giving Haley ski lessons? That I’d be watching Christmas movies willingly while discussing the merits of different kinds of holiday cookies? That I’d be thinking about Angel all the time and contemplating the possibility of a relationship with her?
Isn’t that what this is, though? A relationship?
It’s been nearly three weeks since I found Angel in the snow outside her house, and with every week that passes, I see her more often. We’ve been on two official grown-up dates, at least a half-dozen dinner-and-a-movie dates at her house, and this morning marked the end of Haley’s third skiing lesson, when I declared her skilled enough to join ski club.
I’ve kissed Angel. More times than I can count. And after our second grown-up date—meaning, Haley was with the babysitter—Angel and I made out in the car until the windows steamed up like we were a couple of teenagers.
Despite all that, there’s still a niggle of doubt I can’t shake.
What if I’m moving too fast?
What if I’m committing to too much?
What if Angel’s hiding something, and I don’t find out until it’s too late?
And the most insidious question, the one I hate even contemplating—what if she’s using me?
I don’t think she would.
I don’tthinkshe’s hiding anything.
But I didn’t think that before, and look what happened.
“If you’d rather head off to the food trucks,” Angel says, “I’d totally understand. Hazel said that Alec is obsessed with trying all the food trucks. So you might find him over there.”
Slamming the door shut on my doubts, I turn to Angel with a smile. “I’m happy here. We can check out the food trucks later. I’m sure Haley’s going to be hungry soon.”
Angel smiles back at me. “I knowI’mgoing to be hungry soon. If the line takes too long, I might have to sneak off to find a snack.” Her hand brushes mine—not holding my hand, but stroking her fingers across it. “Or if you’re hungry, I can watch Haley while you go.”
Looking into her guileless eyes, I silently scold myself for even thinking she could deceive me. Angel isn’t like that. She’s sweet. Kind. Honest. She’s told me things about her past that can’t have been easy for her. She opened up about that asswipe, Justin, who I’m sorely tempted to pay a visit to, even though Angel told me not to.
I’mthe one who hasn’t been fully honest yet. I know I should. Just… not yet.
I rest my hand on Angel’s back. “I’m good,” I tell her. “But are you getting cold? I can buy you a scarf if you’d like. Or a warmer hat or mittens.”
Angel leans against me. For a moment, I toy with the idea of wrapping my arm around her. But with Haley nearby… I shouldn’t. “Thanks, but I’m fine,” Angel says. She looks over at the line for Santa, where Haley’s now standing. “Shewantsto believe in Santa,” she adds. “I’ve lost track of how many times she’s asked me if Santa is real. Selfishly, I want her to keep believing.”
“Nothing wrong with believing a little longer,” I agree. Since Haley can’t see, I rub Angel’s back. “My brother’s kids still believe. It’s nice. Seeing them on Christmas all excited like that.”
Angel turns her head to look up at me. “How old are they again?”
“Four and six. So they’ve got some time still.” I chuckle, thinking about the two of them on Thanksgiving. As soon as Santa appeared during the Thanksgiving Day Parade, they were beside themselves, begging to put up the tree and all the decorations.
It was cute. But it also reminded me of Haley. And as much as I love my family, during the two days I was in Maine, I kept wishing I was back in Bliss instead.
“So…” Angel glances at Haley again before turning back to me. “After this, do you want to come over to my place? Maybe watch a movie? You could bring Murphy over, so he’s not alone.” A hopeful gleam lights her gaze. “I’d put money on Haley crashing early. So we’d have some time alone.” She pauses. “Unless you’re tired. Which would totally make sense, given what a long day it’s been.”
Ithasbeen a long day. First the ski lesson at Stowe, then home to get changed, and back out to enjoy the Winter Wonderland Walk. And as much as I try to stay in shape for work, I’m not a kid anymore. I start to hit the wall, just like Haley does.
But a couple of uninterrupted hours this evening with Angel? Where we can cuddle beneath a blanket on the couch and I can touch her in places I wouldn’t dare in public?
“A movie sounds nice,” I reply. I rub her back again. “And Murph would love to come for a visit.”
Angel brightens. Her hand surreptitiously brushes mine again. “Okay. Good.” She thinks for a moment. “I think I have a bottle of wine tucked away somewhere. And we could watch an adult movie for a change.”
