Page 28 of A Love Like Christmas Time
“It also means I have to shovel the sidewalk in front of my store,” he says gruffly, and the frown on his forehead deepens.
“It also makes people want to enjoy a hot beverage and cozy snack,” I point out and poke him playfully. “Look at the bright side.”
A string of clustered fairy lights is strung along the gazebo. I steer him over there, wanting to see the fairytale vibes up close as we walk past it to my car. God, that sparkle, that shimmer — it’s so magical. As if snow fairies are about to pop out between the branches of the pine trees surrounding it.
“Did you mean it?” Caleb blurts out. The muscles beneath my hand go taut, like he’s bracing himself for my answer.
“I tend to mean what I say, yes.” My eyebrows furrow in confusion, and I tilt my head, turning my head to him. “But what exactly do you mean?”
“Are you really here?” He’s trying to sound nonchalant, but there is more in his voice. A concealed pain that makes my breath hitch. “Are youstayinghere?”
I pull him to a stop. After letting go of his arm, I cautiously step in front of him, trying to catch his gaze, but it's firmly fixed on the ground.
“Yes, I’m staying here,” I assure him. Where did that come from?
But when he lifts his head to finally meet my eyes, there’s a coldness in them.
“Snickerdoodle,” he whispers. I lift my eyebrow, confused.
“Snickerdoodle! Yes. I’m staying here. What makes you think I wouldn’t?”
“I overheard you talking to Nic about leaving,” he admits, his demeanor shifting and his tone turning accusatory.
“Is that what today’s-” I make a vague gesture “grumpiness was all about?” I take a step back and take a deep breath, which turns into a white cloud in front of my face as I exhale.
“I’m going back to L.A.temporarily.” I shake my head. “I finally found buyers for my apartment and have to clear out the last of my stuff. I’ll be gone for a whole day or two, depending on how long that’s going to take me.”
I could be imagining it, but he suddenly seems lighter, like a wave of relief rolled over him.
“I’m coming back.” Then I crouch down, pick up a handful of snow, ball it up and gently chuck it at him to release the tension. It lands on his shoulder, dissolving as soon as it hits him. His eyes narrow to a glare. “What makes you think I could survive without your coffee anymore?”
A twitch in his jaw tells me he wants to be annoyed, but the corner of his mouth lifts, nonetheless.
“Though I mean, they do have pumpkin spice and gingerbread lattes where I’m going. Just saying.” My lips stretch into a cheeky grin.
“Yeah, forget about it,” he replies gruffly, but the corner of his mouth twitches. “I’ve stopped complaining about you bringing the stuff, but I’m absolutely not putting it on the menu.”
“It was worth a try.” I shrug and step closer to him again, linking my arm with his. We continue walking in silence until we step out of the park.
“I’m glad you asked me,” I admit softly as we approach my car and glance up at him. “Are we okay?”
He fixes me with a stern look, his expression unreadable. “Yeah,” he finally answers in the same soft tone.
“Good. I’m glad.”
He remains next to the car as I unlock it and open the door, watching me as I climb inside and tap my feet against the metal frame to keep the snow out of my car.
Snowflakes are catching in his hair that peeks out under his beanie, one of them melting on his eyebrow.
“I had a lot of fun today, Caleb,” I tell him, trying to sound steady as he leans on the car door, one arm draped over the frame, his face half in shadow, half in the glow of the streetlight. “Thank you for indulging me. We should do that again.”
“Maybe,” he says gruffly, but his face has a certain softness, his voice not tinged with the usual bite.
Our eyes meet, the air between us humming. His gaze dips to my lips, and for a heartbeat, I forget how to breathe. How to think. The universe and Amanda’s cards might tell me to be patient, but I’m running out the stuff faster than the last minute of an hourglass.
Then suddenly the headlights of a passing car flash across us, and within the blink of an eye, the moment is gone. Poof, just like that. Within the blink of an eye.
“Get home safely,” Caleb whispers, then clears his throat. “Drive slowly.”
