Page 14 of By Candlelight

“The heat won’t work because the switch is electric, so you’ll freeze your ass off upstairs. I’m going to bring the mattress down here so you can sleep by the fireplace.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

I grunted in response because I didn’t know what else to say. It’s not like it was a big deal making sure she didn’t freeze to death.

But inside I secretly relished the fact that I got the opportunity to take care of her.

ten

MIA

Drew came backdown a few minutes later, while I was busy in the kitchen finishing up dinner. I had to admit, the ambiance of the little cottage in candlelight was more beautiful than I could have imagined. I was sure that it made my future memories of this weekend even stronger.

I opened the oven, delighted by the strong heat that warmed me from it, and pulled the chicken pot pie I’d made out of it. It wasn’t a traditional Christmas Eve dinner, but I did my best.

I don’t know why I wanted to impress Drew so much. It really didn’t matter. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself. But I knew it was a lie.

“Should we eat by the fireplace, then?” I called out.

“Fine.”

“Don’t sound too enthusiastic now,” I said to myself as I put our plates on a tray. I added a beer for him and a Coke for me, and then headed back down the hall to the living room. As I approached, I stopped dead in my tracks.

“Oh my god.”

“Is it okay?” Drew asked, his face actually betraying emotion for once. He looked nervous. He looked so nervous I wanted to wrap him in my arms.

“It’s gorgeous,” I said, looking all around at the candles he’d added after all. Every shelf, table, mantle, horizontal surface, had a candle on it. They flickered merrily and cast a warm glow around the room. The fire was roaring bright orange, and he’d covered the mattress in the middle of the room with what seemed like every pillow and blanket in the whole house. It was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever done for me.

Did he do it for me? He must have. Drew was a simple man. I couldn’t imagine him laying around with this many candles or blankets or pillows.

No, he was utilitarian. He’d use what he needed and say ‘fuck the rest.’ So this was for me, right? My heart, which was already in a constant state of puddledom, melted even more.

“Drew…thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

He took the tray from me and sat it on the coffee table. Then he took my hand and helped me down to the floor, where we ate our Christmas Eve dinner by candlelight. And despite not knowing each other, a sense of comfort and familiarity found its home in my heart. This was one of the best Christmases I’d had in years. And it was because of Drew.

eleven

DREW

After dinner,we were left with not much else to do. So of course, Mia had managed to find board games. I rolled my eyes and grunted and did all the other grumpy asshole things I usually did, but the truth was, I had a fun time.

Mia insisted on playing Monopoly, but soon lost interest after I almost bankrupted her.

“I told you you’re too polite. I’m ruthless, so I always do well at Monopoly.”

“Well there’s no harm in letting me skip out on rent one time.”

“That’s how porn always starts.”

“Oh my gosh,” she said, blushing at the thought. But I got her to laugh. And that was a win.

“I guess I should get some sleep.”

“Yeah, probably a good idea.”

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