Page 30 of Meet Me on Christmas Eve

I could die happy, just having seen that smile this one last time.Thatsmile, the smile to end all smile, onthatman. I couldn’t think straight. I nearly dropped the cookies, and the customer who was holding the door cleared their throat.

The sound startled me, and I mumbled an apology as I tore my eyes away from him.

What was wrong with me? Why was I reacting to him this way? Was it the fall—did I hit my head? I thought it was only my butt and hand that hit the ground, but maybe I had a head injury somehow. I was walking through the door and looking down at my cookie suitcase when suddenly Jane’s tinny voice was right there.

I looked up and pasted a smile on my face. “Jane! It’s nice to see you again.”

“Hello, Mariana,” she said, her voice wary as she looked at my suitcase that I was holding awkwardly. “Have you some strange idea of moving in?”

I chuckled. The lady could be quite funny sometimes, I’ll give her that. “Actually, I brought a little treat for everyone at the shop. I just thought it’d be easier to carry them in the suitcase.”

Jane lifted one thin eyebrow. “A treat? For the shop?”

“Yes, I brought Christmas cookies.” At her blank look, my smile wavered, but I continued, “I thought everyone’s probably had a long weekend and deserved a nice treat.”

Jane nodded slowly. “Well, that is true. Are they any good?”

I almost laughed. I was still getting used to her directness. “They’re amazing. Hazel helped me make them, actually. Can I put them out somewhere for everyone to take from?”

Jane slowly lifted a finger to point to the register area. “That’ll do. Well, I have work to do.”

“Of course, Jane. Don’t let me keep you,” I said, smiling brightly.

“I won’t,” she said, raising her eyebrow. Then, in a softer tone, she added, “Thank you.”

My smile was completely genuine then. This was a win. She’d thanked me! And she hadn’t kicked me out immediately. This was progress.

But my happiness was short-lived, as I turned and saw Terry frowning from the other side of the main shop room. He seemed to be frowning in my direction. And then he turned to talk to someone and laughed. I saw his smile again … but not toward me.

He was talking to the cashier, Cynthia. Only now, they weren’t talking. He was hugging her.

He was doing what?

Why were they embracing?

And why was he smiling at her?

I looked away and tried to calm my racing pulse.

It was completely ridiculous for me to be having jealous thoughts. So maybe they were close … friends? Or even if it were more, why would it matter? I’m over him, have been for so many years. As if I need another thing to worry about.

I snuck another glance, but both of them were out of view now, as a group of employees were moving a Christmas tree near where I was standing. It was then I realized I was still holding the cookie suitcase. I sighed.

Stop being so awkward and obsessive, and do what you came to do, Mari.

I ambled over to the register and opened the suitcase. As I started to arrange the cookies onto holiday-themed trays I’d brought, a deep voice reverberated in my ear.

“You again.”

He was so close I could smell him, a faint scent of cologne or aftershave I’d noticed yesterday. Well, tried not to notice.

I took a slow breath and willed my stupid racing heart to settle down. Then, looking over my shoulder, I gave my best attempt at a friendly, platonic smile. “I’m afraid so. But I have something to sweeten the deal this time.”

His eyebrows rose. “You think you can win us over with cookies?”

Oh, no. I shouldn’t have led with that. Or said it at all. Probably.

“Oh, I—no, I didn’t mean that literally. Just … figuratively, maybe a dose of sugar will make it easier to tolerate my presence.”

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