Page 83 of How My Neighbour Stole Christmas
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I say as I look through the window of the coffee and bakery shop. “What are they doing in there?”
Max peeks through the window quickly and then plasters himself up against the wall like me, trying not to be seen. “They’re copying us.”
“See, this is why we can’t be nice with them,” I say as I glance through the window again, spotting Storee and Taran both at the register chatting it up with Tanya. “They’re not going to let up.”
“You know, for a second I assumed that we could all act like adults, but clearly that’s not an option.”
“Finally, you realize that,” I huff and then turn to him, a plan forming in my head. “Okay, we need to go in there, and whatever I say or do, for the love of God, don’t think I mean it.”
“What are you going to say or do?” he asks, looking slightly frightened.
“Just watch and see.”
“Dude, hold on,” he says, a hand to my chest.
“Trust me, Max,” I say as our eyes meet.
And with that, I push away from him and open the door for both Max and me, the sound of a bell jingling above us alerting everyone in the bustling shop of our presence. Taran is the first one to spot us, and when Storee glances in our direction, she’s struggling to force a smile. The feeling is mutual.
“Merry Christmas,” I say with a raise of my hand and a warm expression.
“Merry Christmas,” they all reply as I step up to the counter, Max trailing behind.
I get close to Storee and say, “How are you?”
She leans back, clearly disturbed with how close I am. “I’m…I’m good.”
“What did you order?” I keep my voice low, pleasant…seductive.
“Um…” She swallows. “A caramel latte with oat milk, extra caramel.”
I nod, and then fully go for it while Tanya’s watching us. I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear, letting my hand linger for a second. “Caramel latte with oat milk, extra caramel. Committing that to memory.”
“Uh…excuse me, what’s going on here?” Tanya asks, a huge grin on her face.
I glance in her direction. “Trying to get this girl to see me.” I bring my attention back to Storee. “Are you ever going to take me up on my offer?”
Max, clearly catching on, takes that moment to lean in. “You really should, Storee. He’s a good guy.”
“What offer is that?” Tanya asks, practically frothing at the mouth.
Here’s the thing about Kringle. We love being in each other’s business like all other small towns, but because we celebrate Christmas year-round, and because everyone is always cheery, constantly watching Lovemark movies, they have this penchant for love during the holidays. Anypossiblerelationship—they want to know about it.
They live for it just like they live to hear Bob Krampus say ho-ho-ho.
A holiday romance is what their hearts desire, and I’m going to deliver. If anything, the pining man always wins the audience’s hearts.
I smile at Tanya. “I’d love to take Storee on a date, but she’s holding out on me.”
“A date?” Tanya coos, her hand clutching her chest. “Oh, Storee, what’s the hold up?”
“Now, now, don’t blame her,” I say. “She is, after all, taking care of our dear Cindy. She has priorities. I’m just being selfish.”
I canfeelthe steam coming from Storee. I don’t even have to look at her to know that she’s not happy with me. Like I said, I know how to work this town. No doubt Tanya will talk to Martha and Mae—she’s best friends with them—who will then talk to Sherry Conrad, and all of them are going to be wishing and hoping that Storee, the California girl, gives this small-town boy a chance.
Smart, I know.
“A selfish man who’s finally cashing in on the crush he’s been harboring for over a decade,” Max says, helping a guy out.
