Page 42 of Flake It Til You Make It

He didn’t need this. Rocco was going to be a friend, while also being a convenient means to an end.

An end they both wanted andneeded.

“Yeah, it’s one of the perks of being the deputy mayor,” Taylor said. He gestured to the seat next to him.

The VIP grandstand was not large—and you couldn’t buy tickets, you could only be invited to sit up here, with its great view of the light parade, mid-route—but Taylor was one of the lucky few afforded tickets.

Technically hedidn’tget a plus one, but he’d finagled an extra ticket out of Griff, who’d softened considerably since his grumpy days. “But only if it’s for Rocco,” Griff had said, making his own position on Taylor’s new relationship clear.

Frankly, he wasn’t alone.Everyonewas thrilled they were together now.

Taylor had never had so many people come up to him on the street or at the grocery store or at all the festival events he’d been attending. It was annoying and also gratifying. It turned out that Mona might have been right: the thing that had been keeping him on the outskirts of the town’s acceptance had been his singleness.

“I’m going to get spoiled,” Rocco joked, leaning in and nudging Taylor with his shoulder. “And I’m gonna have to be honest with you. Ilikeit. I like it here.”

“Yeah?” Taylor hadn’t even realized that he’d been worried Rocco ultimately wouldn’t until he’d laid that fear to rest.

“Do I love that the town got pissed at me? Not really, but I’m dealing. And it’s getting better, slowly but surely,” Rocco said. “Emerson Maxwell—you know, thewriter who’s with Arlo?—stopped by three times this week. He’s writing a book atmycoffee shop. You know how exciting that is?”

Taylor didn’t, but he was happy thatRoccowas happy. “That’s pretty cool,” he said.

“And there’s been a few new regulars too. Guys new to town, like Nova, the new wedding planner? And a few others. I want people to feel like my place is part theirs, you know? That they’re welcome to come and hang out, meet up, and feel accepted.”

“Like at your parents’ restaurant, or your cousin Luca’s bakery?”

“Yeah, kinda. Two of my other cousins run food trucks in LA, and one of them is permanently parked at this lot with a bunch of other food trucks—but it’s so much more than just a place to grab something to eat. It’s a community gathering place, with music and parties and these big long tables everyone shares. That’s what I want too, someday.”

“You’re going to get there,” Taylor promised. “If anyone is capable of doing it, it’s you.”

Rocco’s dark eyes glowed. “You really think so?”

“There’s nothing that this town loves more than an inclusive vibe,” Taylor observed.

“Is that why this job is so important to you?” Rocco’s question was casual, but Taylor could feel its buried pointedness. He’d been trying to be vague, making only offhand comments about his history, but of course Rocco wouldn’t be placated or fooled by those. He’d want to know more.

“Yeah,” Taylor said. He knew heshouldsay more, but he didn’t know where to start, or if hecouldstart without unloading all his baggage. And surely Rocco didn’t want all of that. Taylor barely wanted to hold it all.

Rocco stared at him expectantly.

But then a cheer went up from the crowd, and in the distance, after Heath in his decorated car, at the position of honor as the grand marshal, Taylor could see the first float coming—traditionally, and there wasnothingChristmas Falls loved more than tradition, it was always Santa—and this year was no exception. Santa’s sleigh and his reindeer appeared to float along the road, the edges picked out in strand after strand of lights, the rest of the vehicles dark to add to the illusion.

Taylor had seen a version of this parade probably two dozen times by this point, but the truth was it never got old. The thrill of the lights coming out of the darkness, each float elaborately lit and decorated, shining in the night, was something else.

He glanced over at Rocco and saw the beauty of it reflected in his eyes.

“This is . . .wow,” Rocco breathed out.

“Yeah,” Taylor agreed. “Just wait til you see the rest of it. But I agree, Cal’s a highlight.”

“Cal?”

“Santa, obviously,” Taylor said, with a cute little shoulder nudge.

“He’s a great Santa,” Rocco agreed.

“We’re lucky to have him. He’s been doing this a long time.”

Following Santa was the band and the color guard, their uniforms covered in brightly colored lights, the flags of the guard rippling with light and color as they spun them. The band played “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” heavy on the horns and the drums, the sound echoing through the whole town, and Taylor’s heart throbbed with the beautiful nostalgia of it all.

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