Page 78 of Flake It Til You Make It

She ran off to get their grand marshal situated at the main decorating table, and Taylor turned to Rocco. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“What are you thinking?”

“I think we should dosomething,” Rocco said. “But what? I’m not sure.”

A few minutes later, Marlene came back, along with a shorter guy, with blond curly hair and wide blue eyes. “Rocco,” she said, “have you met Milo Montgomery?”

Rocco shook his head as he extended a hand. “Nice to meet you, Milo.”

“Rocco bought Jolly Java this summer,” Marlene explained and then tilted her head towards Milo. “Milo’s running Jingle Bites, the little chocolate shop in town.”

“Oh,oh, I know where that is. I’ve passed by it a few times,” Rocco said, remembering the cute storefront with its festooned holly and old-fashioned painted sign.

“And I keep meaning to stop by your coffee shop,” Milo said with an apologetic shrug. “I’ve just been so busy this fall and winter.”

“I know how that is,” Rocco agreed.

“I was just telling Rocco and Taylor about Marjorie Wagner and how she’s on her own here,” Marlene said in a quiet voice.

“I’ve had a few customers mention her too,” Milo said. “They were saying they wanted to do something for her, but they weren’t sure what.”

“Well, with her birthday falling on December 23rd, what would you guys think of me throwing her a surprise birthday party at Jolly Java?” Rocco asked.

“I love that idea,” Taylor said, nodding enthusiastically.

“It’s a great idea. Very Christmas Falls. Why I wanted to move back home, because people do things like that, even if they’re practically strangers,” Milo said.

“I’m discovering that,” Rocco said. “We were planning on closing early anyway, so no reason I can’t just hold it in the afternoon. The only issue . . .” He hesitated. “I’m not sure anyone’s going to show up if I invite them.”

“You’ve got so many more regulars coming back, though,” Taylor reminded him.

“Hey, I didn’t have an issue once pumpkin spice was back,” Marlene said. “And you’ve made some other good changes.”

“I heard you had a really delicious new drink. Some customers came in talking about it,” Milo said.

“Oh, the marzipan latte. Itisgood,” Taylor agreed.

“Thanks,” Rocco said dryly. “But I know business isn’t quite the same as it was under Holly and Joelle. I have all their records. But maybe they’ll show up for Marjorie.”

“I’m sure they will,” Marlene said, patting him on the arm. “I’ll talk about it and we’ll see what we can do.”

“Make sure it stays a secret though,” Taylor reminded her. “And I’ll take care of getting Marjorie there. I’ll ask her to meet me for a coffee.”

Marlene frowned. “But everyone knows you don’t like coffee, Taylor.”

“I don’t think anyone’s going to be confused why he’s changed his mind,” Milo joked.

Taylor looked over at Rocco and smiled. “You’re probably right.”

“I guess I should have made more cookies,” Rocco said as they walked down Dasher Street, towards Taylor’s house.

Before they’d left the cookie exchange, empty boxes in hand, Taylor had suggested ordering takeout and cuddling up in front of his wood-burning fireplace. Rocco had been reluctant at first—“I’ve got to be up early, to bake, and Rebecca starts late on Sundays” —but Taylor had volunteered to get up early and help him out.

Did he have to? No. But he found himselfwantingto.

“Honestly, I don’t care where we’re staying, but I did think on this cold night, cuddling up by the fire with you would be nice.”

“Yeah, that YouTube channel with the fireplace isn’t quite the same,” Rocco said. “Let’s do it.”

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