Page 46 of Snowflakes and Sparks

“Me too. And one for my sister,” another lady exclaimed.

People started to swarm together to take a look at the goods. Alex’s goods. For sure someone had tinkered with the images. It was like Alex’s features got accentuated to make him look even more irresistible.

“Isn’t that you in those pictures? You are one lucky woman,” someone said.

“I need that stud in my office. You know what? Make it five, so I can give a copy to all of my colleagues at the beauty salon,” a woman in a red coat said, almost snagging the calendar out of my hands.

“These calendars are for sale, yes, and the proceeds will go to a good cause,” I said.

They were supposed to be sold during the Winter Walk, but I had buyers right in front of me and I should take advantage of the opportunity. It wasn’t like anyone cared who bought them, as long as I could donate a big chunk to charity.

The calendars sold like hotcakes and by the time the last person closed the door of the store behind her, I couldn’t feel my feet anymore.

“This was such a fun event,” Becca said, stretching her arms and flexing her legs. “And I’m sure you don’t mind if I take one of these home with me, do you?” She took a calendar out of the almost-empty box and tucked it away in her bag without waiting for my reply.

“I’m happy that this was such a positive experience for you,” I said. “Thank you so much for agreeing to do a signing at a small bookstore like this one. I know you normally go for the bigger venues.”

“Oh, that’s my publisher who wants me to go to those places. Not that I mind of course, but I actually love more intimate settings like this. I should see if I can convince them to do this kind of thing more often.”

“Will you stay for the Winter Walk?” I asked. “I can add you to the list, even though the event is technically sold out.”

“I don’t see why not. I don’t leave until tomorrow morning and Addy hasn’t stopped talking about this event ever since I arrived at the inn.”

“One of the starting points is Dave’s Diner. Shall I walk there with you?”

Becca waved her hand, dismissing my offer, and put her coat on. “I’m fine. I don’t mind being alone for a while after the busy afternoon we’ve had. You girls make sure everything goes smoothly and I’ll see you later.”

I turned to Addy. “Let’s start by putting the cakes on the table over there, and then we can put blankets on the chairs for that extra cozy vibe.”

We only had about an hour and a half hour before people would start arriving. Alex had been nice enough to rearrange the layout of the store so that we would have maximum capacity. The Christmas lights were shining brightly and I had added fake snow around the big armchair I was going to use to read the Christmas story we had picked out for our stop of the Winter Walk.

“A little birdie told me you and Alex looked pretty cozy today,” Addy said, placing a cinnamon cake on one of the tables.

“How on earth is that possible? Who told you?”

Addy let out a giggle. “Nothing happens in a small town like this without everyone knowing about it. At least not when something happens in public. You should’ve figured that one out by now.”

I grinned. “What do you think happened?”

“You two ordered lunch together, looking all loved up. Why, did something else happen?”

“If I tell you something, do you promise not to tell anyone?”

She pretended to lock her lips and looked at me expectantly.

“Alex and I kissed.”

“What? When? How?” she squealed.

I put down the stack of plates I was holding and leaned against the table. “Last night, after we discovered the store had been damaged, I went over there to ask him if he had any spare Christmas decorations I could use. And, well, one thing led to another,” I said. I couldn’t get the ridiculous smile off my face, and I was sure I looked like an infatuated teenager. “And we may also have kissed today, by my car.”

“I knew there was something more going on between you two.”

“He even asked me to stay.”

Addy’s eyes widened. “He asked you to stay?” she screamed.

“Shhh. Not so loud. I don’t want the entire neighborhood to know,” I said, even though there wasn’t a single soul around.

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