Page 54 of One Chance to Stay
I feared I had gone too far. Walter had given me his Santa costume without hesitating. He had bought it, hoping Audrey would agree, but she demanded he stand at the altar in a suit. Did I take the Christmas theme too far?
“There he is!”
“Oh, my.”
Tyler came charging down the path with Jon in tow. The two men wore green vests, green pants, and bright red ties. I knew the moment I left the library, Tyler would call Jon. Firefly probably had an impromptu town meeting to discuss my plan. I’m surprised I hadn’t been invited for a Q&A.
“This is the cutest thing ever.” Jon gave me a big hug. “I approve.”
“You said you were delivering gifts!” Amanda stood between Jason and Simon, dressed in a provocative interpretation of Mrs. Claus. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Jason and Simon acted as her bodyguards. Though seeing them dressed as chubby elves, they couldn’t be any less menacing.
“I—”
“It’s Elsa, isn’t it? Cheating on me for your winter queen.” She threw the back of her hand to her forehead, leaning back until Jason caught her. “What will the kids think?”
The bell on Simon’s cap jingled as he shook his head. At least this proved I hadn’t gone overboard with the costume. I’d fit right in at the wedding. How many of them had these outfits lying around, ready for a Christmas-themed event? Did Fireflyrequire it when moving in? Or did it come as a care package? I bet they had a committee providing two flannels and a casserole with a welcome note.
“I should?—”
Amanda lunged forward, grabbing my cheeks. “Six o’clock. Slow turn. Be subtle.” Her eyes had gone wide, an intensity she normally reserved for the ladies at the bar.
I turned as if I were talking to Tyler. I thought she wanted me to see an audacious outfit worn byhim. Seamus stood next to Grace as she carried on with a lively conversation. From head to toe, he wore a dark red flannel— asuitmade of flannel. Pants. Shirt. Vest. Jacket. Even the bowler cap on his head matched. I fought back a gasp when I realized it wasn’t suit material, but actual flannel. Seamus hadthatgem hidden in his closet?
“Don’t lose him in the sheets,” she whispered in my ear.
“Leave him alone,” Jason chided. “Hedoeslook rather handsome.”
“We’ll discuss your coming-out party later.” With that, she gave me a smack on the ass. “Let’s go find Bobby and Chris. I need everybody in town to see these legs.”
Amanda knew my secret. Jason knew it, too. I should have guessed the moment Tyler revealed the plan to Jon that he’d activate the text chain. Before talking with Grace, I would have been nervous. Her confession lowered my anxiety, but it didn’t eliminate it. Now that they all knew I had a thing for a gentleman in town, I assumed they’d turn it into a gala at Spectrum. Seamus would die the moment the Glitterati Guild pulled him on stage.
As they walked away, I was left standing there alone, bag dangling at my side. Seamus continued staring at his feet, not participating in Grace’s conversation. She had done her part, dragging him here. If he hadn’t wanted to come, he’d have said so. He wouldn’t have come wearing his best Canadian tuxedo.He kicked at the snow along the bank before looking in my direction.
I gave him a slight wave.
His eyes narrowed.
I pulled my beard down, smiling. He put his hands on his daughter’s shoulders, kissing her cheek before walking in my direction. Over his shoulder, Grace gave two thumbs up. She had pulled off her part of the plan, and now I needed to uphold my end of the arrangement. Slinging the bag over my shoulder, I walked toward Seamus.
We stopped, staring at one another. If I weren’t wearing the white gloves, I’d have reached out and run my hands along his chest. I didn’t care who saw. They’d assume I wanted to see if the fabric was as soft as it appeared. I’d be bold enough to let strangers see me touch a man who, despite his reluctant attendance, made the event worthwhile.
“Nice suit,” we said in unison.
“Did Grace get you that?”
He looked down. “No.”
“So, you had it lying around in your closet?”
Seamus looked down before gripping the collar of his jacket. “It’s festive.”
He wasn’t wrong, but I also don’t think he understood why it seemed out of character. I wanted to hug him for stepping outside his comfort zone. “So, what made you come?”
His expression threw accusations like daggers. “Grace got a bee in her bonnet about me attending.” He stepped forward, stepping within my bubble. To any onlooker, we were having a private conversation. For me, he took leaps and bounds, giving those in the know a display of intimacy.
“I think the idea wasn’t entirely hers.”
“Guilty.” I flashed a smile, going overboard, so it showed through the snow-white beard. “I wanted to see you.”
