Page 293 of Falling Backwards
Our moms make similar sounds of squeaky joy while my dad chuckles warmly.I see them all beaming; I think I catch a slight glisten in both women’s eyes.
My mom says, “I’m thrilled things have gone this way for you two!”
His is nodding big.“Love itfor you both!”There’s something extra special in the glance she exchanges with her son, and it makes me smile.
Makes me smilemore,that is—I’ve apparently already been doing it.
My dad lifts his drink.“To Maggie and Luke!What a wonderful pair.”
As we all copy him, I feel a blush in my cheeks and the affectionate brush of Luke’s thumb over the back of my hand.
He and I clink our glasses together, and it’s hard to take sips when we’re grinning, but we manage.
After my hand is free again, I touch the necklace he gave me.Then I stifle a giggle that would interrupt what the others have started saying about…whatever they’re talking about…because Luke seriously decided to wear his new shirt over here.It’s so silly and it looks good on him and, mmm, those memories.
He catches me peeking at him and winks at me before squeezing my hand.
“Merry Christmas,” he murmurs to me.
A giggle does escape me, along with a look of unabashed tenderness.
“Merry Christmas, Luke.”
—
Yes, what a merry Christmas we had with each other, family, and friends.
The holiday vibe has continued past that, as it always does; it’s the last week of the year, so New Year’s is approaching with all the excitement and craziness that usually brings.Joy has planned resolutions, Emma has said resolutions in general are dumb, and I’ve played referee.Various plans and parties have gotten talked about.Luke and Paxton think we should do small fireworks in one of our apartment complex’s parking lot, which I’m pretty sure is not allowed…but I’m the only one in the group who has been nervous about it, so we’ll see what happens.
Something else exciting is that Luke officially applied for the assistant manager position and has had a legitimate interview for it.Hehas been a little nervous here and there since that talk was more in-depth.Although Mr.Polk didn’t care much about his history of clocking in a few minutes late, Luke promised to continue doing better, and then they discussed his write-up from insulting Marcus.Luke also learned more about what he’d be responsible for with the new job.But nerves aside, he’s had a positive outlook overall.I have, too, even though I know Mr.Polk has interviewed at least one other person; I greeted the man the day he came in for his appointment.
It’s hard not to hope Luke gets it.I can see he’s been trying to be realistic even as his own hope grows, and inexperience aside, it’s actually easy for me to imagine him being Mr.Polk’s choice.Luke knows Lucent.He’s been there for a while.People like him and he’s a hard worker.I mean, he may be goofy and have a slightly different view on rules than I do, but I’ve learned those things aren’t as bad as I used to think.And, really, I believe he has learned that, in some ways, being composed and following rules isn’t as bad asheused to think.If given the chance to do something other than be a bartender, I know he can rise to it.
Bartender Luke sure is perfect the way he is, though….
I guess we’ll just have to see what happens with all of that as well.
—
“I still can’t believe you won a gift card!”I loop my arm snugly through Luke’s.
“I know!”he says.We huddle together against the wind as we go down the sidewalk towards Merritt’s.“So many people were there that night.It was fun to enter the giveaway, but I really didn’t think I stood a chance!”
“Yeah, I didn’t thinkanyonein our group might win.There were five of us, sure, but when you consider all the other—”
“Well, well, well,” hits the air, interrupting me, drawing our attention sideways.A guy is shutting his car door and staring at us with a lifted chin.“Look who I found.”
Luke and I slow our pace.He grows tense while I wonder who that is.I don’t think I….
Wait.
My stomach drops.
Is that…?
“This son of a bitch,” Luke intones, displeasure suddenly in the place of his previous glee.
I think I’m right.
