Page 47 of A Tinsel Tale

Jamie leans around me and grabs my packages as we leave the store then wander to our next stop. And so it goes. The riches accumulate with every store until Jamie and Caleb are so loaded down, they decide to unburden themselves and make a trip back to our vehicles.

“Okay, let’s meet at the Coffee Bean,” Dee says.

“Good plan,” Caleb says. “I’m about shopped out.”

Dee glares. “You promised. No complaining. Look how sweet Jamie is being.”

Jamie sticks out his chest, and grins. “Yeah, see? This is how ya do it, my friend. Take notes.”

“Oh brother. Spare me. That’s not what he whispered to me a minute ago,” he grumbles.

Jamie gives me his wide-eyed innocent look. “I never!” We all laugh then part ways.

Dee and I order our drinks, then find a small table tucked in the corner and sit. I sip my yummy peppermint hot chocolate and look around. “I can’t believe how much I dreaded coming home,” I say.

“I’m glad you’re here. I miss having my bestie close by.”

“I know. I’m realizing a lot of things I’ve missed. You’re at the top of the list.”

“Things seem to be heating up with you and Jamie,” she says. “I’m glad, Evie. I think you were always meant to be. Maybe you both had to experience life a little, in order to appreciate your happy ending.”

I scoop some whipped cream onto my finger and lick it off. “Maybe. I don’t know. I know Jamie wants kids. Seems impossible. My clock is ticking and I’m in Chicago, he’s here. You can’t raise a family together from two different states.”

She frowns. “It is complicated,” she agrees. “But… I’m a hopeless romantic. It’s obvious you two are meant to be. It will sort itself out.”

“I don’t see how. Seems like one of us would have to give up on their dreams to make it work. Either I give up my career or he gives up on fatherhood.”

“That’s pretty black and white thinking.”

I arch a brow. “Well? Do you have any better solutions?”

“Not yet but I’m sure there is one.”

“Let me know when you figure it out.”

“Figure what out,” Jamie says sitting down next to me.

“Girl talk,” Dee says, reaching over and patting Jamie’s hand.

“What did you get?” I ask him.

“Dark roast with two shots of espresso.”

“Watch out world,” Dee says.

“I got the same. Shopping is exhausting,” Caleb whines.

Dee waggles her finger at her husband biting back a smile. “For the rest of the day, for every time you complain, you have to watch a Hallmark movie with me.”

“No-o-o!” he grouses. “Anything but that.”

“Your choice,” she chirps. “You promised not to be a grump today.”

His lip quirks up charmingly. “I’m actually having fun,” he admits. He leans down and plants a kiss on her cheek. “I have to yank your chain a little.”

“Naughty or nice. I’m keeping a list. Your choice.”

He looks at us and winks. “See what I have to put up with? I have a hard time believing her nickname was ever Mouse.” We all burst out laughing.

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