paper to unveil a pair of ice skates.
I turned to him in shock. “Practical?”
He nodded. “Very… since I’m taking you to the rink.”
“How’d you know my size?”
“I asked Renee.” He pointed at the blades. “They’re all sharpened and ready to go.”
I put my hands on top of the skates and smiled. “Thank you. These are really thoughtful.”
He bent down and brushed a kiss against my cheek, which made butterflies flutter in my belly.
“I think it will be fun.” He smiled as I put the lid back on the box. “And your life can’t be twenty-four-seven about chocolates.”
“I’ve been thinking about that kiss yesterday.” I started toward the kitchen.
“So have I.” He came up behind me.
“And I liked it.” I spun around and quickly looped my arms around his neck. “And I want another.”
Chapter Fifteen
December 8th
“You two kissed and you didn’t even tell me about it?” Renee looked indignant.
I shrugged. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
Even though it felt like the hugest deal in the world.
“What do you mean it wasn’t a big deal?” She shook her head. “Anything to deal with your old Christmas crush is a big deal.”
I let out a happy sigh. She was right, and even though I didn’t want to admit that he’d become my crush all over again, he was a good kisser.
“Honestly, I haven’t had time. I got in so late last night from making all the brittle that I tried not to wake you.” I looked at the clock. “And speaking of, I need to get to the shop because an order we’d placed yesterday is supposed to be delivered by seven this morning.”
“Fine.” She pretended to grunt. “I have a Yoga-in-the-Snow session to teach, anyway.” Renee stuck out her tongue at me and laughed.
“Is it full again?” I asked, grabbing my keys.
“It is, and I added twenty-five slots.”
“I’m impressed, but why don’t you make it infinite?” I suggested. “Let everyone who wants to join, join.”
“Several reasons, but the most important is demand. I want to create demand.” She winked. “It’s like this market coming up for you. You don’t want to put all the candy on your table right off the bat. You want to create the feeling that they’d better buy it now before it goes away. You don’t want to inadvertently create the oh I can come back and buy it later mentality.”
“You are a born marketer.” I gave a quick wave and made my way to the car with my feet crunching on the icy snow. I couldn’t believe my sister would go out and video herself in the freezing weather like this.
Sure, she’d put on some tights, yoga pants, and leg warmers, but please. I was freezing in my goose down parka and knit hat.
As I pulled in front of the store, I saw a small box truck turning down the block.
“I bet that’s my supplies,” I hummed to myself.
I quickly got out of the car and tried not to slide my way to the door that I quickly unlocked. When I pushed open the door, I went speechless.
The entire space had been transformed. I stared at the Christmas tree in the corner, now fully decorated. I saw a lollipop stand that Wyatt had somehow recreated to mimic the one I’d stood behind staring at him all those years ago. The glass cases had Christmas lights strung all around the outside with tinsel garlands draped along the top.
It was like stepping back in time to my aunt’s Christmas store, yet it felt completely fresh and full of nostalgia. I walked along the wooden shelves that had been painted a crisp bright white where a little tag hung that read, Wet Paint.
“This is incredible.” I shook my head, seeing the Christmas train running overhead with a track Wyatt had somehow secured to the ceiling.
My chest tightened at the thought of all the effort he’d put into this place when I wasn’t even sure I wanted to keep the shop. I pushed down that ugly thought and took a deep breath. Everything would work out how it was meant to be.
A knock on the back door interrupted my thoughts, and I quickly made my way through the kitchen to let the deliveryman in with my supplies.
After he wheeled several bags of flour, sugar, chocolate, and bottles of marshmallow fluff into the kitchen, I signed the sheet and watched him go on his way.
I knew I should start right away on making fudge, but I had to see the front of the