Page 21 of The Christmas Cookie Crush

“It’s so good to see you, man!” Dylan says again, bumping my arm with the hand holding his drink, his other hand still resting on Lydia’s back. “This is my girlfriend, Lydia. We actually met here last year during ChristmasFest. She was working as an elf at the North Pole during my last season there.”

“Oh, yeah?” I do my best to sound interested. Normally I would be, but I’m still half scanning the room to try to catch a glimpse of Nora. What’d she do with the cookies? Is she going to try one? Or is she going to toss them preemptively without giving them a chance?

God, if I find out she threw them away without even having one, I’ll …

Well, I’ll be really mad, for one. And disappointed. I worked fucking hard on those cookies. If she doesn’t want them, I want them back soIcan eat them.

But I also want to catch up with Dylan. It’s been years since I’ve seen him. I think the last time was the summer after freshman year of college? I came with my parents to visit my grandparents, and he was home for the summer.

“How long are you in town for?” I ask, pulling my phone from my pocket. “We should make time to grab a coffee or something. I’m slammed until Christmas, of course, since I’m working the kiosk for Give and Cake, but things should slow down after that.”

He rattles off his number for me, and I shoot him a text, though I see his number hasn’t changed since high school. I guess we could’ve kept in touch all this time and just … didn’t.

How many friends have I lost touch with over the years through sheer laziness? No one reaches out, eventually it feels like too much time has passed, and we just stop talking?

I should resurrect this friendship, at least. And then I can figure out which others might be worth trying to salvage too. College friends I haven’t talked to in several months. I could send a text. Schedule a visit. Something.

First I need to get through Christmas, and then I can see about what to do with myself after that. The thought of staying in Arcadian Falls and taking over Give and Cake still niggles in the back of my mind. I haven’t broached the subject with my grandparents, mostly because Grampy’s still so mad about not working right now as it is. And while I’m confident he’ll get back to it eventually, especially if he listens to his physical therapist and doctors and doesn’t overdo it, I have my doubts he’ll ever be able to go back to his previous schedule. And I honestly don’t think he should, even if he wants to.

But he could train me. Sheila could too. One thing’s for sure, I definitely need a lot of help if I’m going to take over. I won’t be ready anytime soon. Not with the baking and decorating, anyway. And while the margins are good enough at this time of year for the extra help we’ve hired, I’ve gone over the books, and I know this isn’t sustainable year round. If I want to keep theshop in the black, I need to take over some of Grampy’s duties beyond running the kiosk during ChristmasFest.

It’s not so far from here to Portland. And Eugene, where I went to college, is only a couple hours south of Portland. Several of my friends still live there. A couple friends are even in the Seattle area now, like Dylan. Arcadian Falls is a good middle ground between all of them. Maybe I could organize something over the summer. Get all my friends together like we used to do on summer breaks in college …

Dylan tells me how he’s doing in Seattle, all about his new job, and shares some funny stories about his coworkers. It makes me feel a little awkward since I’m living with my grandparents and working at their shop. I didn’t manage to find a job I care about straight out of college, which is what allowed me to just up and quit like I did to come back here.

“Hey, once your grandparents are back on their feet and you’re ready to move on, come out to Seattle. You could stay with me if you’re out for interviews or if you need a place to crash while you find your own apartment.”

I glance at Lydia, who’s smiling and nodding. “You’d have to clear it with your roommate, of course,” she reminds him.

That has my eyebrows raising. “Oh, are you two not …?”

She giggles and shakes her head, leaning into Dylan’s side. “Not because he doesn’t want us to,” she says. “But I’m still finishing my degree, and it’s easier to live in the dorms. His apartment’s too far away from campus. Plus”—she shrugs—“it’s good for me to live on my own for a bit.”

The look he gives her is pure love. “And I’m happy to wait until you’re ready,” he murmurs, and I feel like I’m intruding on an intimate moment.

Clearing my throat, I take a half step back and hook my thumb over my shoulder. “I’m gonna go check out the food table. And grab a drink.”

“Oh, for sure!” Dylan says. “Sorry, man. I didn’t realize you hadn’t made it that far yet. Be sure to grab one of Mom’s peppermint twist cookies. I know you’re bakery royalty and all, but those cookies are the best, and she only makes them for this one party.”

Chuckling, I wave. “I’ll be sure to try one.”

And maybe I will. Assuming there are any left when I get to the table. But first, I want to find Nora and see what she did with my box of cookies.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Nora

I weavemy way through the crowd, scanning faces and keeping one hand protectively over the lid of the box of cookies.

Before I can sort through my feelings about the fact that Austin Stanton brought me a box of cookies that he purportedly made and decorated himself—sure, he admitted to having help, but from the way he said it, it sounded like it was so he could make sure they’re perfect, and what is that even about??—I need help.

Finally, I spot her. Uncaring about my oldest brother’s surprised look when I literally step into the middle of a conversation he’s having, I slip my arm through Olivia’s. “Sorry, Ty. I just need to borrow Olivia for a sec. Thanks!”

And with that, I start tugging, uncaring about the looks she’s probably exchanging with my brother, because she’s coming with me, and that’s what matters. I steer us through the crowd and into the hallway, not releasing her arm until we’re outside my bedroom.

I open the door and set the box down on my desk, motioning for her to come all the way inside so I can shut the door.

She’s looking at me, amusement and curiosity stamped on her face. “Nora, what’s going on? I mean, I’m happy to see you too, but …” She waves a hand, indicating the party going on. “I figured we’d have time to catch up when there’s not a houseful of people.”

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