Page 159 of Chasing Infinity

I wrap my right hand into his left hand, and we walk along the square, mostly small-talking with some of our friends who made an appearance.

Charlie and Eli wave at us as we pass by them. They’re sitting at a picnic table, each with a beer in their hand. I’m happy to see Charlie was able to get off duty for tonight. He’s been working almost nonstop lately, and I know he’s been feeling a little worn out. As we watch, his husband Wyatt walks over with a beer of his own and takes his seat next to Charlie, across from Eli.

I look around for Grace’s familiar wild spirit, but I don’t see her. She’s also been swamped with all of the renovations at her new coffee shop. She had been gracious and stuck around to help at the diner after Noah’s accident. It had put her a little bit behind with her plans for her storefront, but as far as I know, she’s getting back on track with her new schedule. I haven’t seen much of her in the last week or so because she’s been running all over the place.

As soon as the sun sets, everyone gathers around Town Hall. Mayor McCoy steps up to the podium set up in front of the massive Christmas tree. As he takes his spot behind the microphone, he pulls on the lapels of his black suit coat and straightens his bright red tie. A few people clap for him, and he puts on a beaming smile, holding his hand to quiet down the crowd. As soon as he has everyone’s rapt attention, he beings his presentation.

“Every year, we gather around to celebrate the Christmas season. It’s an honor to be here tonight to participate with you all. Christmas is a time of happiness and cheer, and there is no better way to kick it off than by lighting up the city with everyone here to see it. So, without further ado, join me in the countdown!”

Declan starts the countdown off, “Fifteen, fourteen, thirteen—“

As soon as he gets to ten, the crowd joins in, getting louder and louder with each number that passes.

Noah’s hand wraps around my waist, and I look up at him, a smile playing on my lips. He grins back at me as he mouths along with the countdown.

“Seven, six, five—“

He waggles his eyebrows at me, and the anticipation starts to well up in my chest.

“Three, two, one!”

The crowd erupts in cheers as the massive Christmas tree lights up right before our eyes. Thousands of tiny colored lightbulbs adorn the enormous pine, blending together into a mess of holiday cheer. On top of the tree, the elegant golden star lights up, emitting a ray of bright yellow light.

My breath catches in my throat, and I feel the sting of tears beginning in the corners of my eyes. Noah’s hand tightens on my waist as if he can feel the emotion welling inside me.

“It’s so beautiful,” I whisper to no one in particular.

A sound rumbles deep in Noah’s chest and I look up at him. He’s watching me with an expression that I can’t place. “It’s alright, but I’ve seen better.”

My cheeks heat up with the insinuation behind his words, and I press myself closer to his side. All around us, each business is turning on its Christmas lights too. The decorations range from the average white light silhouette outlining and full-blown Christmas town. As I lean my cheek against Noah’s chest, I take it all in, letting myself be filled with the excitement that always surrounds the Christmas season.

“Want to go look around some more?” Noah asks me, and I glance up at him, nodding my head.

As soon as I pull away from him, Noah reaches for my hand, entwining our fingers together. I squeeze his hand and let him lead me out of the crowd and to the side to look at more of the Christmas booths.

The rest of the evening passes in a blur. Noah and I stop at every booth and look at every little thing they have displayed. I pick up a few gifts for my friends, making sure none of them are lurking around as I make my purchases.

Noah watches me in amusement each time I find a new treasure at a booth, with a smile playing on his lips as I get more excited with each discovery.

“I think you were born to be a Sugarplum fairy,” he says to me after we finish at a booth selling custom-made pottery.

I bark out a laugh. “What does that mean?”

“I don’t know. It’s just been a while since I’ve seen you this excited and happy.”

I raise a shoulder up toward my ear. “I just really, really love Christmas.”

“I can tell,” he says with a wink.

“And I love it more that you’re home,” I say, lowering my voice.

“Me too,” he says. He’s looking at me now with that same expression from earlier.

“What?” I ask him.

His lips pull up. “You’re being all cute and sweet tonight. It’s making me want to kiss you, then take you home and do impossibly dirty things to you.”

My body flushes at his words, and my breath hitches. “I like the sound of that.”

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