Page 55 of Meet Me on Christmas Eve

He had been decorating? Baking? Starting a fire ... There were even stockings hung on the fireplace. Two of them, actually, one red and one green. The music, it wasCarol of the Bells, one of my favorites. I didn’t see any food, so the smells must have been candles.

My heart must have skipped a beat or several as I slowly sat and swung my legs toward the floor, my mouth agape.

I half expected to see some holiday socks or slippers waiting for me on the floor, but alas, the floor was clear around me. I covered a yawn and patted my unruly hair down before rising to my feet. I turned to glance behind me and had to steady myself. I must have gasped audibly because then I heard footsteps from somewhere down the hall.

He was coming—he … he got a Christmas tree? I stared at the gorgeous fir, strung with soft gold and red lights, beads, and bulbs, with shiny silver icicles.

“Hey.”

I tore my eyes away from the beautiful tree to stare at him in wonder. “You—you—what …”

He looked amused as he leaned against the doorway frame. “Cat got your tongue, my sweet?”

I blinked several times, my heart pounding. “Uh, I’m not—”

He laughed then, a throaty sound that caught me off guard. He seemed relaxed, different than I’d seen him since … well, back then. “Merry Christmas, Mariana.”

I swallowed, trying to take a steady break but failing. “Terry, what—what is all this? You …” I looked at my watch. “It’s only 8:30. How early did you get up?”

He smiled and shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. Do you like it?”

“I—of course I like it.” I swept my hands around and whispered, “It’s beautiful, I can’t believe it. How … I mean, how did you get a Christmas tree in here at the last minute? And you decorated it too—”

“Mariana,” he said, clearly trying not to laugh. “I literally live on a Christmas tree farm, remember? That’s where we are, right now.”

I slammed my palm into my forehead. “Of course, I forgot.” I made eye contact again, this time with a more serious expression. “But all this—this had to have taken youhours.” I waited, and he didn’t dispute this. “Why would you … why?”

He shrugged slightly and looked at the tree briefly before looking back at me. “Because I knew you’d like it. You love Christmas.”

“For—for me?” I squeaked. My eyes darted away, only to land on a single wrapped present beneath the tree. I don’t know how I missed seeing it before. It was small and square, immaculately wrapped in shiny green and silver striped paper. I pointed to it. “Oh my god, what’s that?”

He took a few slow steps toward me. “Sorry, it’s only one. I didn’t have much lead time. Shall we sit?” He extended his arm outward toward the tree.

I should’ve probably sayNoorWhat the hell is going on?But I sat down beside him in front of the gorgeous tree, marveling at the beautiful ornaments. They looked older but well preserved. Probably expensive at one time.

When he placed the small present in my hands, I realized my hands were shaking and hoped he didn’t notice. “Um, I don’t have a gift for you,” I mumbled.

He laughed, dispelling a bit of the tension. “Of course you don’t. It would be weird if you did, I think.” He nodded toward the gift. “Go on, open it.”

The present in my hands was light. I removed the wrap carefully and then opened the box. Inside was a small sheet of paper.

I looked up at him and raised my eyebrows in question. The look on his face caught me off guard a bit. For the first time this morning, he looked slightly ill at ease … uncomfortable. Nervous?

Opening the note, I read it aloud, “Mariana, will you go out with me?” I dropped the note, shocked.

Before I can even begin to think about what to say, his deep voice rumbles close to my ear. “I hear there’s really good seafood place down at the Breakers Alehouse.”

A shiver went through me, and all I could do was breathe in and out.

My voice was but a whisper. “That’s … we … ” He remembered this? We went to Breakers on our first date. We both ordered fish and chips, and I remember teasing him about how rich boys were supposed to have fancier taste in food.

He waited patiently while I tried to process this, which was impossible because how the hell could I process something like this? My brain and my heart and my body were all screaming at me a thousand different things, and all I could do was try to breathe. Finally, I made eye contact with him. Terry, of the deep dark eyes, the smile I think I’d do anything for. And I wanted nothing more than to melt in his arms.

In fact, I started to slump to the side a bit, as he put his hands on my shoulders abruptly. “Woah there,” he said, sounding concerned. “Why don’t we get you set up on the couch over there. I’ll get a blanket, and we’ll get cozy by the fire.”

Nodding, I didn’t resist when he took my hands to help me to my feet. I did feel a little lightheaded. “I’m a bit thirsty, actually.”

“Say no more,” he said. After tucking a soft blanket around me on the couch, he left, but not for long. Soon, he was before me with a tray of deliciousness set on the coffee table in front of us. He sat down next to me and handed me a glass of water first. “I have coffee and hot cocoa. And of course, some Christmas morning treats. Sugar cookies, a cheese ball and crackers if you’re more interested in something savory—”

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