Page 31 of Snowflakes and Sparks

“You might have to rethink that,” Pam said with a laugh. “The glasses are supposed to be full for the shoot.”

“Oops, my mistake.”

Alex refilled my glass and we took our positions to capture the cover photo. He put one hand around my waist and I put mine around his neck. I didn’t know if his intense gaze was just for the photo or if it was real, but I did know one thing. This was turning out to be a very merry Christmas.

Chapter Twelve

At precisely seven o’clock that evening, Addy tooted the horn of her dark blue Honda. Snowflakes swirled around in the light of the street lanterns and I pulled my coat tighter as I locked the front door.

I’d swapped the black dress and red stockings I’d worn for the photo shoot with Alex for a comfortable sweater and jeans, and tied my hair into a messy bun. I was more than ready for a night of fun.

I hadn’t lied when I told Addy that it had been a long time since I’d gone on a girls’ shopping trip. Even though Los Angeles was my home now, most of my friends lived far away and shopping alone just wasn’t as fun as it used to be.

I walked down the path toward the car and took a quick glance at Alex’s house. The curtains were drawn, but I could still see the lights of his Christmas tree dance their now familiar rhythm.Light. Blink, blink, blink. Light. Blink, blink. How those flashing lights hadn’t driven him crazy yet, I didn’t know.

“All set?” Addy asked as I clicked my seatbelt in place.

“One hundred percent.”

She pulled the car onto the snowy road. The wipers had to work overtime to clear her field of vision.

“If you open the glove compartment, you’ll find some treats for our trip. I didn’t know what you liked, so I bought a selection of my favorites.”

I clicked the glove compartment open and several candy bars fell out. The thing was packed with candy and chocolate.

“Exactly how far away is the mall?” I asked. Judging from the amount of treats, it looked as if we had a five-hour trip in front of us.

“It’s about forty-five minutes. Maybe an hour in this weather.”

I grabbed a small bag filled with cookies and shut the glove compartment. The cookies smelled divine and tasted equally good.

“Cookie?” I offered. “These are delicious. You have to taste them.”

“I’m good, thanks. I’ve tasted them a thousand times already. I made them myself.”

“Wow. If I knew how to bake like this, I’d gain fifty pounds.”

Addy smiled. “Every year, everyone in Old Pine Cove bakes cookies or cakes for the Snow Ball. I can teach you if you want and then you won’t have to show up empty-handed.”

“That’s so kind of you. If I can find the time, I’d love to learn how to make these,” I said. “Although I have to ask, where does everyone around here find the time? Baking cookies, organizing the Snow Ball, setting up the Christmas village in the town square, doing the Winter Walk…”

Addy shrugged. “I guess I’m just so used to it that I don’t question it. Old Pine Cove has a real sense of community and we love making special occasions even more special. What’s better than celebrating Christmas together, everyone pitching in, no one being left out?”

In just a couple of weeks, Addy had grown on me. Her sweet and positive personality made it easy to feel comfortable around her. I was sure that if I wasn’t leaving soon, we would’ve become best friends.

After fifty minutes in the car, Addy pulled into the mall parking lot. The place was bustling with last-minute shoppers. There were young families pushing through the crowd, shopping bags dangling from the sides of their strollers. More than a few older couples strolled from store to store, basking in the beautifully decorated shop windows.

“Are you looking for anything in particular?” I asked Addy, trying to match her strides. The girl was on a mission.

“There’s a store just around this corner where they sell the most gorgeous dresses. I’ve been dreaming of buying one ever since I decided I needed to lose weight,” she said. “They are not cheap, but I consider it a present to myself for sticking with it. Here we are.” We stopped in front of a small store, the wordsLucky Dresses No. 7elegantly written on a sign above the entrance.

“Addy,” one of the shop assistants called out. She enveloped Addy into a welcoming hug. How did this girl manage to know everything and everyone?

“Irene, this is Suzie. She’s new in Old Pine Cove and she’s going to help me choose a dress.”

Irene greeted me with a warm smile. “I love Old Pine Cove. I used to drive all the way there for book club. Unfortunately, the book club is no longer up and running.”

“Really? I’m the new store manager of the Old Pine Cove bookstore,” I said.

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