Page 50 of Mistletoe Kisses

Arlo

Instead of goingout to explore yesterday after telling Lucas I was staying, I’d crashed hard at Lucas’s place. The stress of deciding to stay and sorting out flights had gotten to me, and I’d needed a long nap. Not to mention the adrenaline drop after working up the nerve to ask Deb to refund Keaton the difference between the room he’d booked versus the one she’d put me in. I’d noticed on her website that there was a price difference, and she’d been completely apologetic that she hadn’t thought to do it initially. Maybe it wasn’t always terrifying to stand up for yourself.

After the trifecta of cuddling, kissing, and blowjobs before a great night’s sleep, I felt like a new man. Today, though, I was ready for more vacation. I felt lighter as I walked through downtown Dahlia Springs toward Tome Raiders. It helped that I’d started the day with a three-way call between Keaton and our landlord to get updates. Intellectually, I knew first thing Monday morning after the early Sunday disaster was too soon for him to have answers, but I couldn’t help but want them. At least we were reassured that he’d found someone to do an assessment, and he’d refund our rent for the month and waive it as long as it took to complete repairs. That eased some of my anxiety.

I left when Lucas went off to meet Reed for lunch and took his key to the hardware store to make myself a copy. I’d never had a copy of a guy’s key, other than Keaton’s. It felt big, like it represented more than it actually did. I was scared to want more of that with Lucas. I’d merely postponed the pain of leaving him while giving myself more time to get attached.

A woman walking a dog in a reindeer costume gave me an enthusiastic hello as she passed. Dahlia Springs was the most charming place I’d ever been.

I paused in front of Tome Raiders and smiled at the change in window display, showing stocking stuffer options. It was an idea I’d given Ron the other day. Tears sprang to my eyes as I realized he’d taken it seriously. I knew I had decent ideas, but to see Ron had implemented something after I’d supposedly left? That meant it wasn’t a pity thing to use an idea I gave to placate me. He had no idea I would even see he’d done it, and he did it anyway because he found value in it.

Am I good at this?I’d certainly never gotten that kind of direct feedback at my job. I’d had my ideas used by others, which I supposed proved I had good ones sometimes. But seeing it like this offered a validation I’d never experienced.

I didn’t realize how jaded I’d become about books after my experience at Winchester Publishing. I used to spend most of my free time out of the house loitering in bookstores, but I hadn’t done that in years. I’d worked in the dirty underbelly of books, which had soured the magic for me. Like going into the tunnels underneath Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom and encountering the people in Mickey and Minnie costumes with the costume heads off and smoking cigarettes. Poof. Magic gone.

The time I’d spent in Tome Raiders helped to restore that magic I’d always felt with books. Being among them with their endless ways life could be lived, the boundless opportunities, characters of any type that could be imagined, had always been my way to be adventurous. They had been my sanctuary, and I hadn’t understood how that had been damaged.

Even though I felt terrible that I hadn’t told Ron who I was, spending time in his store brought me a joy I hadn’t experienced in far too long.

Before going in, I paused. Maybe I should grab a treat for Ron. It would likely come as a shock to see me. I crossed the street and headed to A Whole Latte Love.

I liked the Pride flag made of Christmas ornaments hanging in the window.

I stepped inside and found a handful of people seated around the cozy café. With its central location in downtown Dahlia Springs, I imagined it got a steady stream of people throughout the day. I approached the counter, behind which stood a smiley man with deep dimples and dirty-blond hair.

“Welcome to A Whole Latte Love. Are you Arlo, by any chance?”

I blinked at him. “Yes?”

He leaned in conspiratorially. “I thought so. I’ve heard whispers of a mythical redhead in town on vacation and noticed you in here a few times. Your order’s on me for everything you’ve done for Ron.”

“Thank you, but you don’t need to do that.” Getting free things made me itchy. I didn’t want to take more than I should. What if he assumed I only wanted a small drink, but I planned to get a large drink and a pastry? Either I’d be taking more than he meant to offer, or I needed to order the bare minimum, so I didn’t worry I was taking too much.

“I insist.”

I began nibbling on my lip as my attention darted between the menu and pastry case.

“How about you pick a pastry and any coffee you want?” His dimpled smile was endearing.

“Yeah, okay. Thank you.” The structure helped. I took in the selection in the pastry case. “I’d like to buy a second coffee for Ron. Do you know what he usually orders?”

“I sure do. Shit, sorry. I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Dave, and I own this place. Great to meet you.” He held out his hand, and I shook it. The other times I’d been in, I’d been served by someone else who was equally as friendly.

“You too.” I placed my order.

“The orange cardamom scones are my favorite. Good choice.” He continued after a few moments of silence, “Your blind date with a book idea was great, by the way. I loved seeing the place so lively that night.” His smile turned nostalgic. “I adore that store. I spent a lot of time there when I first moved to town. I’ve been worried Ron was ready to retire and sell the place, but I think you breathed new life into it.”

I didn’t know how to respond to his kind words.

He pulled out two to-go cups. “How long are you in town for?”

“I was supposed to fly home yesterday, but there was a massive leak in my apartment, so I can’t go home yet. I extended my trip to leave right before Christmas.”

“I’m sorry about your apartment. I hope it doesn’t cause too much of a headache, but I’m glad you’re able to spend more time here. Dahlia Springs is great year-round, but it’s extra magical at Christmas.”

I wanted to see Dahlia Springs at other times of the year. I’d heard that it was amazing in late summer when the dahlias bloomed and that the town went all out for Pride.

We chatted for a few more minutes while Dave finished the coffees and bagged the pastry. He was warm and friendly, like so many others I’d met. It was a different kind of friendliness than I experienced back home. Maybe it was the difference between city versus small town or Midwest friendliness versus West Coast. There was something more genuine about the way people said hello or asked how you were.

---