Page 40 of Just One Spark

I growled in frustration."Because this isn't real?Don't you want to put the ring on my finger so that everyone can see it?"

He covered my hand on my thigh with his."I want to do this right."

"You're not making any sense."Because this wasn't real.And there was no reason to do anything by the book.

He smiled easily."This is fun.Let's enjoy it."

There was a sign on the window about Santa coming to town on Saturday.An entire event was planned around his arrival.

"Are you working on Saturday?"Rowan asked.

"Yeah, it draws a ton of people.Jovie's working with me."

"You think you could get away for a while?"he asked lightly.

I tipped my head to the side."Does this have anything to do with the ring?"

He sighed."You're going to have to stop asking about it.I want it to be a surprise."

He was so earnest about it."Okay.Fine.I'll stop asking.I could take a break."

"Thank you," he said simply, gathering our trash.

We walked toward my truck, stopping when we got to the door.I unlocked it, and we stepped inside."Are you planning on helping this afternoon?"

He leaned against the counter, crowding the space."Nope.Just wanted a goodbye kiss."

I glanced over at the window where a few people had formed a line."I have customers."

"They can wait a few seconds."He pulled me toward him and kissed me.He took his time, seemingly not worried about the people waiting.When he finally pulled back, my cheeks felt hot.

"You shouldn't do that."

"It's how I'd say goodbye if you were mine," he said simply.

Then he was gone, and I was alone in the truck, wondering why Rowan had to be the boyfriend I couldn't have.

On Saturday,I was parked in my usual spot, handling orders during the holiday event.At some point, Rowan stopped by to see if I could take a break but came inside so he could help with the orders.He quickly figured out our assembly line process and poured hot cocoa and added toppings like he'd been doing it for years.

I never would have asked him for help, but it was sure nice to have it.Jovie kept giving me side-eye.At one point, she hissed, "I thought this was supposed to be fake?"

I sighed."I have no idea what's going on."

She kept her head down so he wouldn't overhear."He's acting like a real boyfriend."

I shrugged because I couldn't argue with her.Hewasacting like an attentive boyfriend, and it should have been irritating because I was used to being on my own.But I liked it.It made everything inside of me go soft.

There was a commotion in the crowd when Santa arrived on a fire truck.He climbed down and handed out candy canes.Eventually, Santa made his way to Santa's workshop in the town square.Kids lined up to sit on his lap to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.The line was steady as parents ordered hot chocolates for the family while their kids waited to speak to Santa.

These were the nights that sustained me for days.The tip jar was overflowing, and everyone wanted hot chocolate.

Around nine, a band got on stage and started playing, and people drifted over to listen.Most of the younger kids had already gone home for bedtime, and the crowd had thinned.I leaned against the counter, exhausted by the evening but pleased with the number of sales we'd had.

Rowan washed his hands in the tiny sink and dried them with a small white towel."Jovie, do you mind if we take a break to enjoy the festival?"

She waved us away."Go on."

"Thanks."Rowan grinned at her and held his hand out to me.