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Calvin keeps talking. “I was thinking that you could perform up at the North Building for the final stop of the Christmas Dash, too. While you’re in town, we may as well put you to good use, right?”

I frown but wipe my expression clean. Somehow when Jack, Ivy, and Beth approached me about singing at the market, it felt way different than this suggestion from Calvin. I’m good for more than just my music. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it when people say things like put you to good use. It’s easy to feel like nothing more than a piece of meat, a means to an end, a stereotype, when people make comments like that. I shouldn’t let it get to me, but it does.

“I told Calvin you might not even be here for the end of the Dash,” Beth puts in, squinting up at me. “Depending on how recording your Christmas special goes, right?”

Not to dwell on the matter, but is she really not wearing her glasses? Did she lose them? Should I be concerned?

I’m so thrown off that all I can do is stutter out a response about checking my schedule. I say goodbye to them and duck out of the café’s front door.

Snow is falling, and I stand still for a moment, getting my bearings.

I shift the food to my left hand and fish out my phone. I can’t help it. I text Beth.

Gabe

Where are your glasses??

I don’t expect a response. She’s on a date after all, but before I can even stash my phone, bubbles appear on the screen indicating that she’s typing back.

Beth

I’m wearing contacts. Why are you being weird?

I inch toward the window and peek inside. Calvin is at the counter, talking to Raelynn.

I don’t want to interrupt Beth on her date. Truly, I don’t. I meant it when I said she had to come to terms with her feelings for me and for Calvin on her own. But since Calvin is MIA . . .

Gabe

Why are you wearing contacts? I’m not being weird. I’m just looking out for my friend.

More bubbles appear on my screen. I glance up and wait while I watch Beth type out a message. She’s got her lips pressed into a firm line. She closes her eyes, and my phone vibrates in my hands.

Beth

I thought I’d change it up tonight. No big deal.

I snort. No big deal, my butt. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen Beth without her glasses. Contacts make her eyes feel drier than roasted chestnuts. She even swims with her glasses on in the summer. She uses a little strap to keep them in place. It’s adorable.

Gabe

I don’t believe you. You hate contacts.

Beth absently touches the bridge of her nose. She’s nibbling her lip, and then her fingers fly over the keys. Bubbles appear, disappear, and reappear.

Beth

Fine. Calvin prefers me without glasses. I wore contacts all the time when the two of us dated. I got used to it. Thought I’d give it a try tonight.

Gabe

That’s stupid.

Beth scowls down at her phone. Another message comes in a moment later.

Beth

I don’t recall asking you for an opinion on the matter.