Page 16 of Chloe

Throughout the concert, I find my foot tapping along to the music, a smile playing at my lips. During a moving rendition of “Silent Night,” I feel Oliver’s hand brush against mine on the armrest. Instead of pulling away, I let it stay there, enjoying the warmth of his touch.

As the last notes fade away and the applause dies down, I realize I’ve actually enjoyed myself. The joy on the faces of the students, the pride radiating from their parents, it all speaks to a sense of community that I’ve never experienced before.

“That was actually pretty great,” I say to Oliver as we file out of the auditorium.

He grins at me. “I knew you’d enjoy it. Hey, want to grab a hot chocolate before we head out? I hear the PTA makes a mean peppermint cocoa.”

I should say no. I should go home and get back to work. But the warmth in Oliver’s eyes and the festive atmosphere around us make me throw caution to the wind. “Sure, why not?”

We make our way to the refreshment table, where Oliver insists on buying our drinks. As we sip our cocoa—which is indeed delicious—we wander through the foyer, admiring the students’ artwork displayed on the walls. Somewhere in the distance, we hear a crash.

Oliver turns to me. “We better go see if someone needs some help.”

We head towards the noise and follow the crowd. A huge nutcracker had toppled over, and a woman was being attended to on the floor.

“That’s Sadie,” Oliver’s voice is laced with concern. “She’s our town librarian.”

An older woman, with silver curls and blue eyes peering above her glasses, approaches us. “The ambulance is on its way. Don’t worry, Officer Michaels has her.”

Oliver lowers his chin and exhales, reassured by the information. “Thank you, Mrs. Henderson.”

“I wonder what happened.” Oliver puts his hand on the small of my back, gently guiding me away from the crowd. “But if Ren’s there, I’m sure everything is under control.”

“Who’s Ren?” I move towards the donation table.

“One of our local police officers. He’s a great guy.”

This small town seems like it might fit in a snow globe, a world unto its own, where everyone seems to know and care about everyone. An itch manifests along my neck, scratching at the irritation. I think I might be allergic to this place.

“You know,” Oliver says softly, “I’m really glad you came tonight, Chloe. And not just because of the toy drive. It’s been nice spending time with you.”

Instantly, the itch is gone, replaced by a soothing warmth that has nothing to do with the hot chocolate spreading through my chest. “I’ve enjoyed it too,” I admit, surprising myself with my honesty.

Oliver’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the bustling crowd around us fades away. I lean towards him almost involuntarily.

But then reality crashes back in. What am I doing? I’m leaving Benton Falls after the holidays. I can’t let myself get attached, not to Oliver, not to this town, not to any of it.

I take a step back, clearing my throat. “We should probably start packing up the donations,” I say, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears.

A flicker of disappointment crosses Oliver’s face, but he nods. “You’re right. Let’s get to it.”

As we work to box up the toys, a tense silence falls between us. I can feel Oliver’s eyes on me, but I keep my focus on the task at hand, afraid of what I might do if I meet his gaze.

It’s not until we’re loading the last of the boxes into Oliver’s truck that he speaks again. “Chloe,” he says softly, “I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable back there. That wasn’t my intention.”

I sigh, finally looking up at him. The sincerity in his eyes makes my heart ache. “You didn’t,” I assure him. “It’s just... I’m not staying in Benton Falls, Oliver. After the holidays, I’m going back to my real life. I can’t... I can’t let myself get too invested here.”

Oliver nods slowly, but I can see the hurt in his eyes. “I understand. But Chloe, have you considered that maybe this could be your real life? The way you’ve thrown yourself into the toy drive, the connections you’re making here... it seems to me like you fit right in.”

His words stir something in me, a longing I’ve been trying to ignore since I arrived in Benton Falls. But I shake my head, pushing it aside. “This isn’t me, Oliver. The big city, the corporate world - that’s where I belong.”

“If you say so,” he says, but I can tell he doesn’t believe me. “Just... promise me you’ll keep an open mind, okay? Benton Falls has a way of surprising people.”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. As Oliver drives me home, the silence between us is heavy with unspoken words and possibilities I’m too afraid to consider.

Back at my grandmother’s house, I stand on the porch, watching Oliver’s taillights disappear down the snowy street. The frosty night air nips at my cheeks, but I barely notice it, my mind whirling with conflicting emotions.

Part of me wants to run after Oliver’s truck, to tell him that maybe, just maybe, I could see a future here in Benton Falls. But the larger part, the part that’s protected me all these years, holds me back. Attachment leads to pain, it reminds me. Better to stay focused on my career, on the things I can control.

---