Page 20 of Under the Mistle-Foe

He dropped his arms and a huge sigh left his body as hesnubbed out his cigarette. He half-faced me, his long hair casting his face in a shadow. “Sometimes I turn the corner and I think she’ll appear, you know?”

I didn’t need to ask to know who he was talking about. I was fortunate enough to have never lost anyone close to me, so I couldn’t fathom how much pain he was going through to lose someone he loved so dearly. I couldn’t understand it, but I could sympathize and be there for him, and let him know he didn’t have to grieve alone.

Not knowing what to say, I grabbed his hand, and for a split second, I thought he would throw me off, but he let me hold it.

He looked at our combined hands, his hair blocking me from seeing the emotions in his eyes. It felt like a thousand years, but was probably only a couple of seconds before he flipped his hand over and twined our fingers together.

Neither of us spoke. We didn’t have to. We stayed there in silence, watching the stars. The lollipop’s sweetness invaded my mouth as the heat from his hand traveled past my fingertips and warmed my heart.

It wasn’t until a loud clatter from inside that we broke apart. Remy rushed into the house to check on things while I lingered outside. The cold wind hit my face, but all I could feel was the warmth he’d left on my skin.

Adam had apparently tripped and toppled over the dining room chairs while Rob was using the bathroom. Remy wasn’t happy, to say the least, but I knew his anger stemmed from worry over his dad. He guided Adam to the couch, giving firm instructions to keep his butt planted there unless necessary.

Rob smirked like a Cheshire Cat, watching his old friend being scolded.

It was getting late, and not wanting to overstay my welcome, I said my goodnights to the men and thanked themagain for having me over. Adam and Rob waved goodbye from their seats on the couch, and Remy called over his shoulder for me to wait as he disappeared into the kitchen. He returned with one of those large reusable bags filled to the max with containers of leftovers and handed it to me when we reached the front door.

Once outside, I turned to him. The door separated us, feeling like a chasm that I couldn’t cross, but then he reached over the imaginary separation and straightened the beanie on my head.

I shot him a quick goodnight and turned away before I was tempted to never leave.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he called to my back, making my steps falter for a second and my heart shoot out of my chest.

“Tomorrow,” I replied over my shoulder and gunned it for my car before I said something mushy and totally inappropriate.

I felt light as air the entire drive home, Remy’s scarf and beanie warming my skin, and knowing that I had alegitimate excuse to see him again the next day.

CHAPTER 9

REMY

I hadn’t knownwhat I was thinking when I asked Jett that question, like Iwantedhim to come to the diner. I told myself paying customers were always welcome at the diner.

And that was the only reason for the little ray of happiness that blossomed in my chest when he came by the next day and took his seat at his usual booth by the window. The one that gave me the perfect view of him from the kitchen.

He was wearing my scarf and beanie, the one I’d put on him yesterday. Along with his long coat, he looked cute, all bundled up like that.

Something tickled the depth of my heart as I watched him shed his layers and settle into his seat, but I focused back on the task at hand. Rory was off today, leaving me the only one in the kitchen. Dad wasobediently sitting by the register, though when Jett arrived, he migrated to his table to chat with the younger man.

It wasn’t busy today since most were probably finishing their Thanksgiving leftovers, so after doing a quick inventory, I went up front as well. I found Jett chatting all chummily with Atlas—because of course he was. He charmed thehearts and made friends with everyone he came across, except for me. I smiled at the thought that I’d somehow become his friend in the end.

I brought over some fries I’d just fried up, and they made room for me at the booth. We munched on the snack as they continued their conversation.

“We just became friends and now I find out that you’re moving soon?” Jett’s deep rumble sounded as he teased Atlas. “Where did you say you’re moving to?”

“Kither Springs,” Atlas said with a toothy grin. “Here, I’ll show you. A popular travel vlogger visited the town recently and showed the idyllic countryside. It’s a completely different vibe from our town, with mountains and grassland as far as the eye can see. Heard it has mild weather year-round too.”

“No snow? Sounds nice,” Jett added.

“How can you celebrate the holidays in mild weather and no snow?” Dad shook his head. “It makes no sense.”

Jett and Atlas shared a smile. “I’ll let you know after my first holiday there next year,” Atlas said with a laugh. “Though I will miss all the festivities that happen around here.”

“I can’t imagine being anywhere else other than Christmas Falls for the holidays,” Jett said. “But I think it’s super sweet you’re moving to a new town for him.”

“I didn’t take you for a romantic,” I commented. Jett glanced toward me, a slight pink tinting his cheeks as he looked away.

His reaction was interesting and made me wonder why he was single, if he was into love and all that jazz. Then I remembered how he was going to go on some single’s night for Thanksgiving before I’d invited him over.

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