Page 6 of A Curvy Carol

“The dad is even offering some extra cash for you to go back and visit your friends over spring break or this summer if you want. We just want you to give this a shot. You never know.”

The thought of seeing my friends again had my heart twisting in my chest. I missed them like crazy. “Fine. Alright. When will I meet this ‘new friend’?”

I was expecting them to say next week or something. Instead, Dad grinned. “They’re waiting for you at Cocoa Corner now.”

“What?” I demanded. “Now? Dad!”

He patted my shoulder one more time, then started walking out. “You don’t want to keep your new friend waiting too long.”

I began pulling on my shoes. “You two owe me for this one.”

But part of me was a little curious about who this friend was. Were they in my grade at school? Maybe they’d be into the same stuff as me.

When I got downstairs, Dad was grabbing his keys. “I’ll drop you off near Cider Center before I head back to the lodge.”

Wow, they really weren’t giving me a chance to back out of this. I pulled on my jacket, gloves, and hat and followed him out to the truck. “How will I know who it is? What’s his name?”

“Carolynn,” he said.

I did a double take. I almost turned back around then and there. “She’s a girl?”

Dad smirked. “Aren’t you a little old to believe in cooties?”

I fought an embarrassed smile. “Whatever. I just thought it would be a guy.” Now it was even more embarrassing that my parents were setting me up. How lame she must think I was.

We rode a few minutes to the town center, tourists milling up and down the sidewalks, in and out of shops. And then Dad parked in front of Cocoa Corner, a coffee shop with a wall of windows catty-corner to the giant Christmas tree in town.

After a quick goodbye, Dad was heading back to the lodge and I was left on my own, watching his truck head drive away.

Then I turned around and made my way to Cocoa Corner.

I hadn’t been there before, but I’d walked past it a few times. It seemed like your standard café sort of place. Mom and Dad said it was supposed to have the best hot chocolate and pastries in town.

I walked in, a little bell ringing as I let the door shut behind me. There were several people sitting at the booths, but only one girl who looked like she was on her own and waiting for someone.

Her eyes met mine, and right away, I noticed how pretty she was. From the blonde, curly hair spilling from her ruby-colored stocking hat to her pink cheeks and green eyes… I was pretty sure I froze for a second before realizing I needed to go over to her.

“Carolynn?” I asked, taking off my hat and gloves and stuffing them in my pockets.

She stood up and stuck her hand out. “Yeah. Whittaker?”

“I go by Whit,” I said, taking her hand. I couldn’t help but notice how soft it was. It matched the rest of her features. Her face was round, and her hips and chest curved generously under her long black sweater and leggings.

We sat down, and I wondered if her parents had made her come here too. Probably, although suddenly, I couldn’t help but feel that I had gotten the better end of the deal.

Christmas season seemed to be looking up for me, especially if I was going to get to spend time with her.

A guy in a bright green apron delivered a couple of hot chocolates to our table.

“I thought you might want one,” she explained, then thanked the barista.

“Thanks,” I said, reaching for my mug.

“You’re welcome,” she said with a tentative smile. I made her eyes crinkle slightly, and my chest squeezed a little. Man, I must really be lonely that a simple smile had me reacting like this.

But at least I wasn’t the only awkward one. Her eyes darted away from me like she wasn’t sure what to make of this either. We did a few minutes of small talk before she seemed to relax a little. Enough to say something I thought I would never hear in the town of Garland, Maine.

“I’m not really a fan of all this Christmas stuff,” she admitted.

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