Page 80 of Chasing Kaylee Kringle

“Fantastic.”

Chapter Forty

Kaylee

There weren’t very many places to take a date in Holiday, but going to Holiday Cheer wasn’t exactly what she had in mind for a first date, even if it wasn’t supposed to be romantic. Although she liked Benny as a friend, she didn’t think there was anything more that was going to come from it, but she wanted to check this off her list, and Rick being annoyed about it was just a bonus.

Holiday Cheer was decked out with colorful LED lights across the ceiling and a hodgepodge of Christmas decorations, including neon Santa signs from the 1980s and a Santa statue in the corner holding a rifle and wearing camouflage. The dark wooden circular tables were spread along one side of the bar, while the stage and dance floor occupied the other half. The long oak bar at the edge of the dance floor had stools set up along its ridge. Bartenders were taking orders while three waitresses hit every single full table. It was loud, and you couldn’t really have a conversation, so it didn’t make for a great first-date venue, but Kaylee didn’t mind. She studied the menu even though she’d been here numerous times with Josie on ladies’ night. When the waitress came over to take their order, instead of shouting to be heard over the music and the conversations around them, Kaylee simply pointed to the sriracha burger, fries, and a drink called Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.

“I’m so glad we decided to do this,” Benny said loudly.

“Me too,” she shouted back.

“I would’ve gotten us a table on the patio, but I thought it would be too cold.”

“No, this is fine,” she said.

“Do you wanna dance while we wait for our food?”

The band was playing a festive rendition of “Sleigh Ride,” and although she didn’t dance well, Kaylee nodded. “Sure.”

She let him lead her out onto the dance floor by the hand. There were no sparks where their hands touched, and she couldn’t help thinking of Rick and their sidewalk exchange today. Even angry and arguing, they had more chemistry than she had ever experienced with anyone else.

Benny pulled her close, pushing her around the dance floor in a smooth two-step that she tried to keep up with. At least she could mark this off her list, too, although she didn’t know how much she was learning when she accidentally stepped on his foot.

“Sorry. I don’t dance very much.”

“It’s okay, my boots are steel-toed. You can’t hurt me.”

Kaylee laughed. Benny was nice. He was just a little taller than her with shiny black hair and brown eyes. He smelled clean with just a hint of sweet cologne. He was safe and fun.

So why did she keep watching the door to see if Rick was gonna show up?

Kaylee expected Josie to tell him where she was going to be, since Kaylee had a feeling that Josie was on Rick’s side, but there had been nothing all day. He’d waited for her after work, walked her to her house without saying anything about the date, and left her there.

It was really rude how crazy he was making her.

“Are you all right? “Benny asked over the music.

“Yeah, this is fun,” she said.

“I think our waitress is heading back to our table with food. Want to go eat?”

Kaylee nodded, and they moved through the crowd of couples back to the table, where they ate in awkward silence. When they finished their food and drink, Benny nodded his head toward the door. “Do you wanna get out of here and go somewhere we can actually talk?”

“Yes, please.”

Benny paid their bill a few minutes later, and they walked out the door and headed for his car.

“I’m sorry,” he said, holding her door open. “I was trying to think of somewhere to take you where there wouldn’t be a lot of pressure, but where we could still have fun, and I forgot how loud it gets in there.”

“You’re fine.” She climbed into the car and settled into the passenger seat. “I just have a headache, that’s all.”

“Oh man, really? I thought we’d hit Main Street and maybe grab some ice cream.

Kaylee smiled, buckling herself in. “I’m sure that might help.”

“I’m a firm believer that ice cream cures most ailments,” Benny said before closing her door. She laughed in the car’s quiet, wishing she felt more than friendship. He really was a good guy.