Page 9 of The Christmas Plan

But looking over at the slow-moving market crowd, Rose’s chest tightened. Suddenly the safety of a pre-planned proposal seemed a lot simpler than this.Maybe it’s silly to try and expand out.

“Worst case, we’ve just gotten to walk around this beautiful market.” Drew winked as they guided both of us to the crosswalk whose light was just changing to green.

Sighing, Rose’s shoulders dropped as she followed Drew’s lead. It was a pretty night, and the market’s twinkling lights seemed inviting.

By the time the pair were at the edge of the market, – a collection of plywood huts painted to look like a wintery village – the smell of hot chocolate and nutmeg filled Rose’s nostrils. It smelled just a little like home.

After a moment, Rose gave in to Drew’s idea and opened her own camera case whose weight was starting to wear on her neck.

With the digital camera in hand, Rose took in a deep breath and let Drew lead her inside.

The walkways were narrow, space heaters from each stall warming the space outside the shacks.

Smiling vendors waved down customers, displaying their wares for anyone to see. As Drew lifted their camera to their eye, aiming it at a young child who stretched out their arm toward a hand-woven ornament of a labrador puppy wrapped in Christmas lights, Rose saw exactly what they did.

It was exactly the kind of moment Rose needed to get better at spotting.

Drew’s shutter clicked a couple of times before they lowered the device away from their face and smiled over at Rose. “What?”

“You’re just very good is all.” Rose shrugged, able to hide her blush with the chill of the evening air. Even after being together for a few months, Rose was still often amazed by Drew’s talent.

When they first met, Drew hid their passion pretty well. Instead, they played it off like they were just an aloof ass with no interest in making friends.

But after a while, Rose broke through. It was inspiring, the way they worked so hard to do more than even photography. Rose had tried to make the same leap but was never able to follow through.

But this will be different.

Drew came back over to Rose and pulled her in close, flattening her puffer jacket as they pressed tighter.

Walking together, Rose kept getting distracted by the stalls. It was wildly impressive all of the items each person was able to make. There were food stands, hand-made clothes, specialty decorations, and so much more.

“What do you think so far?” Drew’s low rumble of a voice cut through the light Christmas music playing over the speakers.

“It’s shockingly beautiful. I’m surprised you like it, considering how crowded it is.” Rose raised an eyebrow at them.

With a shrug, Drew laughed. “I confess, it’s not my usual scene. But it’s once a year, and look at how happy everyone is.”

Taking a scan of the crowd, Rose couldn’t pretend it wasn’t obvious. Everywhere she looked, happy people went about their night. Some of them held warm cups of cocoa as they browsed while others juggled bags of gifts for loved ones.

“True.” Rose bit her lip. Deciding to get a shot, Rose lifted the camera to her face and centered herself on the walkway. She created symmetry between each vendor, letting the path lead her eye down to the very end of the shops. Just as she clicked the shutter button, a seller winked at her. Amidst the chaos, he had noticed her.

Once Rose dropped the camera, the vendor had gone back to work.

In the time she’d taken the picture, she had somehow lost Drew. Looking around, Rose had no idea where they could’ve gone.

“Sorry, I just wanted a snack.” Drew laughed as they tapped Rose on the shoulder. When Rose turned around, Drew presented a cardboard platter of warm, Belgian waffles topped with strawberries drizzled in chocolate syrup and powdered sugar.

Rose’s mouth watered instantly. “Wow.”

Their cheeks lifted into a smile. “Did you think I wouldn’t reward you?”

Shaking her head, Rose giggled as she grabbed one of the waffles. “No, but this is definitely more than I expected.”

The two of them stepped off to the side of the market, each of them digging into their treat and watching as shoppers passed around them.

Rose used her plastic fork to cut off a square of the waffle, rubbing it around the chocolate drizzle before bringing it to her lips. The rich syrup smacked her taste buds just as the sweet strawberry followed it.

“Fuck.” Rose moaned as her eyes rolled back. As the food traveled down her throat, the warmth of the steaming waffle warmed her chest. She couldn’t be sure she’d ever tasted anything better.

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