Page 13 of Evan

I trail off, not quite knowing how to define what we are. Friends? Something more? The words stick in my throat, heavy and clumsy.

But Molly, bless her, steps in to save me. "We're good friends," she says warmly, extending a hand to Morgan. "Evan's been kind enough to let Chad and I help at the farm this year. It's been a real lifesaver, honestly."

Morgan takes her hand, shaking it with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "How nice," she says, her voice sugary sweet. "I'm sure Evan's just thrilled to have the extra help. Running that farm all by himself must be quite the challenge."

I bristle at her tone, at the implication that I'm somehow struggling, that I need to be pitied or saved. But before I can say anything, Chad pipes up, his voice bright with excitement.

"Evan's the best." He declares, bouncing on his toes. "He knows everything about Christmas trees, and he even let me help make a wreath yesterday. It was so cool."

Morgan's smile softens, becoming a little more genuine. "That does sound cool, buddy. You're a lucky kid, getting to spend so much time with Evan. He's one of the good ones."

I feel a flush creep up my neck, equal parts pleased and embarrassed by the praise. Morgan and I were never close, but we ran in the same circles, and I always got the sense that she thought I was a bit of a screw-up, a small-town boy with small-town dreams.

To hear her say something nice about me now, after all these years, feels strange. Like she's reassessing, seeing me in a new light.

"Thanks, Morgan," I say gruffly, shoving my hands in my pockets. "I'm the lucky one, really. Molly and Chad, they're... they're pretty special."

I glance at Molly as I say it, feeling a rush of warmth at the sweet, surprised smile that touches her lips. She holds my gaze for a moment, her eyes shining with something I can't quite name, before turning back to Morgan.

"So, what brings you back to Benton Falls?" she asks, her voice light and friendly. "Just here for the holidays, or...?"

Morgan laughs, a little too loudly. "Oh, no. I could never stay away from the city for that long. I’m a television producer and my news team was assigned to cover the gingerbread house contest. We’re out of here as soon as we wrap."

She says it casually, like it's no big deal, but I can hear the unspoken message beneath her words. That she's outgrown this place, this life. That she's moved on to bigger and better things, while the rest of us are still stuck in the same old rut.

It stings more than it should, this reminder of everything I've ever wanted for myself. The travel, the adventure, the chance to make something of myself beyond the boundaries of Benton Falls.

For a moment, I feel a hot flare of envy in my gut, a sudden, desperate longing for the freedom that Morgan has, the choices and opportunities that she gets to take for granted.

But then I feel a small hand slip into mine, and I look down to see Chad grinning up at me, his eyes bright with trust and affection. And just like that, the envy fades, replaced by a rush of gratitude, of warmth, of something that might just be love.

I squeeze Chad's hand, feeling a smile tug at my lips. "Hey, buddy, what do you say we go check out the hot cocoa stand? I hear they've got peppermint flavor this year."

He whoops with excitement, tugging me towards the stand with an exuberant "Come on, Evan."

Molly and I exchange a look of fond amusement as we let ourselves be pulled along in his wake. I wave goodbye to Morgan.

"He's a good kid," I murmur to Molly as we wait in line, the sweet scent of chocolate and mint wafting through the air.

Molly smiles, her shoulder brushing mine as she leans into me. "He is," she agrees. "And he thinks the world of you, Evan."

I swallow hard, suddenly feeling unsteady on my feet. It's one thing to know, in my heart, how I feel about Molly and Chad. But to hear her say it, to know that they feel the same way...

It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once, like standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to take the leap into something new, something unknown.

But before I can respond, it's our turn to order, and the moment passes, lost in the chaos of choosing toppings and juggling steaming cups of cocoa.

As we sip our drinks and watch the ceremony unfold, I can't shake the feeling of unease that Morgan's words have stirred up in me. The nagging sense that maybe she's right, that maybe I am settling, giving up on my dreams for the security of the familiar.

I glance at Molly, taking in the soft curve of her cheek, the way the twinkling lights dance in her eyes. She looks happy, content in a way that I envy. Like she's exactly where she's meant to be.

"How do you do it?" I ask suddenly, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. "How do you stay so positive, so hopeful, even when life doesn't turn out the way you planned?"

Molly looks at me, surprise flickering across her face. "What do you mean?"

I hesitate, not sure how to put my tangled thoughts into words. "I just... I know you've been through a lot, Molly. With your ex, and being a single mom, and working so hard to make ends meet. But you never seem to let it get you down. You're always smiling, always looking on the bright side. How do you do it?"

Molly is quiet for a moment, her gaze turning inward. "It's not always easy," she admits. "There are days when I want to give up, when I wonder if I'm doing the right thing, if I'm strong enough to keep going on my own."

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