Page 66 of Please, Stay

A little stalker-ish to sit and wait, but it was his fault. Despite the Christmas lights surrounding the windows that were frosted with fake spray snow, she’d lost the Christmas spirit. Each time the doorbell jingled, she looked up. Never Grayson.

She’d planned their night together by insisting the second shift crew come in an hour later, giving her extra time to be alone with him. And he’d blown her off.

By text message. What had she done wrong? He had commitment issues. She understood them now. But she’d hoped that he would have stayed and talked to her.

A man and woman she didn’t recognize walked in. Their eyes scanned the area with purpose. The woman’s gaze lingered on Juliana. She whispered something to her male companion. He smiled and nodded. They both disappeared outside.

Juliana straightened in her seat. That was odd. Not many strangers aside from distant relatives and obviously the sporadic movie star traveled through Statem during the holidays.

Becky came in next. She looked back over her shoulder. Her eyebrows drew together. She bypassed the counter and sat down across from Juliana.

“There are a bunch of people outside. One guy had the biggest camera I’ve ever seen. Took two hands to hold it up.” She grabbed Juliana’s coffee and took a sip. “Ugh! That’s disgusting and cold.”

She took her cup back. “Then, don’t drink it, Ms. Grinch.” She took the sharp tone out of her voice. “Sorry. I’m the one that feels like the Grinch. I saw the guy and woman walk in and out. The lady looked at me like she recognized me for some reason. It’s either from the pictures with Grayson, or they’re here about the highway expansion.”

“On Christmas Eve?”

She shrugged, half her mind still churning over the possibilities as to why Grayson left. “Maybe. The Governor wanted to rectify the situation as soon as possible. His office gave cleared my article.”

“I read it this morning.” Becky’s smile widened as she pulled the folded newspaper out of her purse. “It was an excellent article, Juliana.”

Had Grayson seen it?

“Thanks. I never knew how good it’d feel to be able to use my journalism to make a change.”

Ms. Iris rushed in from the kitchen, Carrie right behind her. “Girls, my second cook just called in sick. I don’t know what tour bus stopped nearby, but we have about two dozen people sitting out front. If they come in, I’d love the extra pair of hands. I’m not staffed for a morning rush. I called Hugh. He said he’ll come help take orders.”

“Of course, we’ll help,” Juliana said. It might give her something to do instead of pine away for Grayson since it seemed to be a lost cause. Was he already on a flight to Australia? “Becky can cook.”

Juliana’s dad walked in. His down-turned mouth and harsh expression didn’t say “Merry Christmas.” He’d hardly spoken two words to Juliana this morning. But that didn’t matter right now. Her Christmas wish started to materialize right before her eyes.

Carrie bounced right up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. No hesitation.

Her dad’s pessimistic face fell away in an instant. His lips trembled into a smile. “Good morning, little girl.” He patted her back with two awkward thumps.

“Merry Christmas Eve.” She stepped back and pulled a tightly folded paper out of the pocket of her blue jeans. “I made you a picture.”

“You made me what?” He unfolded the paper as if it were going to shatter. Or explode.

Juliana and Becky both scrambled from the table. They leaned over his shoulder to see. It was a picture of Santa with reindeer that looked like fat dogs flying. A Christmas tree seemed to sprout out of a cloud. And a wreath hung where the moon should. She’d written her “y” and “h” backward.

“Thank you.” He sniffed.

Juliana laid a hand on his shoulder. Did he jump? His eyes darted between Juliana and Carrie, narrowing a little. He leaned down and touched Carrie’s chin.

“Aside from the chin, Caroline looks like—”

The kitchen door flew open.

Grayson.

He took long, rushed strides across the room. “We need to go, Jules.” He shoved a chair out of the way. His hair looked wild. He wore the same clothes as yesterday. When his hand wrapped gently around her arm, she realized she hadn’t moved.

He was here.

“Now, baby.” His eyes were intense; his voice tight.

She took a step toward him, still trying to catch up to the reality that he hadn’t left.

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