Page 88 of Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal
Is she chilly, or are we crossing over to conversational territory that she doesn’t want to be in?
I’m thinking the latter.
But I don’t want to push her; I’ve already tested her enough tonight with the kissing.
“No need to apologize,” I say and then sit up as well. “I’m feeling pretty good right now. I think the alcohol has worn off if you want me to take you home.”
“No, that’s okay. I might grab a hot chocolate, hang out a little bit longer on my own, and then drive back.”
“I can stay with you,” I say.
She shakes her head as she stands. “That’s okay. I’ve taken up enough of your time.”
“You say that as if hanging out with you is a chore. Because I need you to know, it’s not. I’ve really had a good time tonight, once we got past some of the awkwardness.”
“I had a good time too,” she says and then looks away.
“Then what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she sighs, her leg bouncing, her mind reeling.
“Betty, seriously, what’s going on in that head of yours?”
Her lips clamp shut, and she looks anywhere but at me, so I stand as well and grip her chin so she has to look at me.
“What’s bringing on this abrupt change? Wanting to leave all of a sudden?”
She wets her lips, her eyes connecting with mine. “Umm... maybe... maybe you’ll enjoy a hot cocoa with me before you go?”
Not ready to speak about it just yet?
Okay, not a problem. If anything, I’m patient.
Wanting her to realize that, I answer her. “I’d love that.”
Betty
The guilt I feel around Atlas is overwhelming.
Debilitating.
Like all I can think about is how I’m supposed to be finding a way to put this man out of business. And for what?
Because of some vendetta my uncle has?
I just don’t see the point of it all.
Wouldn’t it be more beneficial if we find a way to somehow work together?
Given all the talk of the community and how they work together, seems like a more intelligent plan.
God, when I had my shop, I would’ve loved to have had a community like Kringle. A whole bunch of small businesses that relied on each other, that sought help from one another, rallied together. Just walking around Ornament Park and seeing all the vendors network, it’s... it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. No wonder the town is thriving, because everyone is working together.
And it seems more productive to be in everyone’s good graces than to go against them.
It’s a conversation I’ll need to have, because when I was lying down on the blanket with Atlas, it hit me all at once: this is what I want, and there is a roadblock in the way. That roadblock is Uncle Dwight.
“Did you know there’s something special about this hot cocoa shack?” Atlas asks as we step to the side and wait for our cups to be prepared.
