Page 84 of How My Neighbour Stole Christmas
“Oh dear, not to put pressure on you, but over a decade?” Tanya asks Storee. “I can’t believe it’s been over a decade.”
I casually shrug, and even as I talk to Tanya, I keep my eyes on Storee the entire time. “I always looked forward to Christmas, knowing that Storee and her family were coming to visit Cindy. I’d watch her from over the fence, hoping she’d give me a chance to talk to her. And she would, but it was never anything romantic. But I loved those moments with her. And instead of holding her hand like I wanted to, I’d just…watch her from afar and wonder if I’d ever get my chance. And I thought I’d lost it when she didn’t return for ten years…so now that she’s here, I’m making it known.”
Now, here’s the strange thing. I cannot in all honesty say this is all a lie. The more I’ve thought about the hurt I felt when Storee left, the more I’ve realized thatsomeof this is true. The only reason her trash talk and subsequent exit could have hurt me so much is if I did have feelings for her. Yes, her departure coincided with the devastating loss of my parents. But since she’s been back in town, so many feelings have risen to the surface. Teenage me was smitten with the little redhead sitting on the porch beside me. Adult me…well, not sure I want to delve into that just yet.
“Oh my goodness, my heart can’t take this,” Tanya says as she drapes a dish towel over her shoulder. “Storee, you realize Cole is the most eligible bachelor in town, right?”
Before Storee can answer, I say, “I don’t know. Max is giving me a run for my money.”
Max stands taller. “I think ladies like the smell of reindeer on Cole more. It’s those pheromones.”
What?
Ew. That makes no sense, and it’s actually kind of gross.
Tanya’s brows pinch together, no doubt trying to work through that comment as I say, “It’s fine though—I know Storee isn’t here forever. Her stay is only temporary.” I sigh. “But hell, it’s hard to not at least give it a shot, you know? And Tanya, isn’t she doing such a good job as a Kringle-ee? That performance as Judy Garland, it was a tough act to follow. I don’t know if you saw, but I had to wipe the tears from my eyes.”
Am I laying it on thick? Of course, but just watch…Tanya will eat it up.
“You know,” Tanya says, “I actually thought I saw emotion in your eyes while you were thrusting up on the stage. I thought it was the chill of the air whipping around you, but that was from watching Storee?”
I slowly nod. “She was…she was breathtaking up there.”
Storee has remained silent this entire time, her eyes locked on me, probably trying to murder me with her pupils. Obviously, she hasn’t blown up my head yet, but it hasn’t been from a lack of trying.
“Shewasbreathtaking. Such a beautiful tribute to your aunt,” Tanya says to Storee.
“Thank you,” Storee replies. “It was an honor to do something for her that is so meaningful.” Oof, look who’s laying it on thick now.
Tanya looks between the two of us, hearts forming in her eyes as her hands clasp in front of her chest. “Oh, you two would be so cute together, and we’ve never had two Kringle-ees fall for each other. Imagine the buzz that would float through the town—two star-crossed lovers, supporting and aiding each other in their attempt to be named the Christmas Kringle. Someone call up Lovemark. I think we have a story in our midst.”
Chuckling, I lean one elbow on the counter. “Want to know a secret, Tanya?”
“Always,” she replies, leaning in as well.
“I haven’t told Storee this yet because, well, I know she’d get upset, but did you hear that one of my strands was out on my light display?”
Tanya winces while Storee shifts on her feet, looking anxious at what I might say. “I did hear that,” Tanya says.
“Well, we did that on purpose,” I reply.
Tanya straightens up. “You did?”
I nod. “Didn’t we, Max?”
“Uh…yeah…” he slowly says, looking to see where I’m going with this.
“You see, I knew Storee was worried about their display and, despite Taran doing a great job with the lines, the most precise lights in town”—I catch Taran nod in appreciation—”I saw that they lacked creativity. I saw how self-conscious Storee was, and well, I wanted her to feel better and not so alone, so I pulled one of the bulbs out of my strand of lights right before Paula and Peach came by.”
“You didn’t,” Tanya gasps.
I nod, my lips pressed together as I stand up taller. “I did. I couldn’t stomach her getting last place all alone, so I sabotaged my own light display to make her feel better.”
I glance at Storee, who’s desperately attempting to suppress her flared nostrils. She tilts her head to the side. “That’s so sweet, Cole.”
“Sweet?” Tanya says. “That is more than sweet. That’s…oh my, that’s Cole riding in like a white knight.” Tanya fans herself. “Storee, please give him a chance. Please.”
“That’s okay, Tanya. Don’t pressure her, I know she doesn’t—”
