It’s hard to tear my gaze from her as she walks away.
And I feel strangely empty without her.
But I do my best to focus on talking with my friends and not letting my attention wander to the two blondes standing in line a few hundred yards away. I ask Swede how his company’s doing and try not to look bored when he launches into an ultra-technical explanation about how he’s implementing AI in their security system software.
It’s important. I’m not questioning that at all. It’s just a bit—no, a lot—over my head, so it’s hard to follow along.
After about ten minutes, Haley’s at the front of the line, and Swede is wrapping up his explanation. Hazel and Allie completely gave up on listening to him and are in the middle of their own conversation about which Christmas movie is the most romantic.
“Love Actually,” Hazel insists. “That’s clearly the most romantic.”
Allie shakes her head. “No way. It’sThe Holiday. Without a doubt.”
I haven’t seen either of them, so I have no idea. But now I’m wondering if Angel would like to watch one of them. Or maybe both.
Hazel tugs on Alec’s hand. “What do you think?Love ActuallyorThe Holiday?”
Alec blinks at her. “What?” He was completely engrossed in the talk about AI, and clearly wasn’t paying attention.
“Which movie is more romantic?” Hazel asks patiently. “Love ActuallyorThe Holiday?”
“Um.” Alec hesitates. “Both of them?”
Hazel laughs. “That’s not an answer.” Then she links her arm around his. “Okay. Enough of this computer talk for now. I’m starving. And the food trucks are calling.” She glances at me. “I assume you’re staying here?”
I nod. “Yeah. We’re going to hit the cookie decorating station next, and then the food trucks. Maybe we’ll see you over there.”
“Alright. And if I don’t see you…” She pats my arm. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”
Once they’re gone, I’m free to turn all my attention back to Angel. She’s standing off to the side while Haley talks veryseriously with Santa, phone out and presumably taking more pictures. When Haley’s done, she hurries over to Angel and starts gesturing excitedly.
Thinking Angel might like a photo of the two of them, I take out my phone to snap a few photos. Zooming in, I can see the happy smiles on both of their faces, and I find myself smiling along with them.
Angel and Haley are just turning to leave the gazebo area when a tall man and a little red-headed girl approach them. It takes me a second, but I place them as Garrett Ryan, one of the doctors in town, and his daughter, Tess.
I remember Haley mentioning Tess as one of her friends. Tess is the one with the fancy treehouse her father built for her. She’s the friend who has a Himalayan kitten that, in Haley’s words,is thecutest kitten she’s ever seen. And according to Haley, Tess has the most amazing dollhouse designed to look like a medieval castle.
And Garrett Ryan is the successful doctor who gave all of it to her.
The successful,singledoctor, who’s been raising Tess on his own since his wife died five years ago.
The single doctor who’s hugging Angel in greeting. Who’s smiling at her. Admiring her.
I don’t blame him. But.
I don’t like how close he’s standing to her.
I don’t like him touching her.
I don’t like how Angel is smiling back at him, like it’s the high point of her day.
I don’t like the picture the four of them make, all huddled together, like they’re already a complete family.
Something cold and oily seeps into me, settling heavy in my gut. It’s unexpected. Unfamiliar. Unwelcome.
It’s nothing,I tell myself sternly.Don’t overreact. She’s just talking to the father of Haley’s friend. And he only hugged her to be friendly.
Except now he’s touching her hand.
