Chapter Ten
Tandy
It’s the first Cookies and Holiday Tales event tonight, and all hands are on deck.
Jane is at the counter, sorting through a pile of new Christmas books, debating which one to read to the kids.
Greta is arranging plates on the dessert table for the baked goods.
Nonna is directing everyone around like a seasoned captain and checking off the long list of to-dos.
I’m arranging the chairs at the craft table when Andrew strolls in, carrying a small box. He grabs something from inside and waves it above his head.
“Behold!” he announces, revealing a sprig of mistletoe. “The perfect addition to our Christmas decor.” He wiggles his eyebrows at Jane.
“Andrew!” Jane shakes her head. “It’s a children’s event.”
Nonna peeks around a bookshelf. “Tradition says you gotta!” she teases, her voice booming across the bookstore.
Jane blushes, glancing at Andrew, who’s grinning widely.
“You heard Nonna, tradition is tradition.” He winks, holding the mistletoe above his head once more.
Jane leans in and gives him a quick peck on his lips. She shakes her head with a smile. My heart warms at the sight of them. They are so cute together.
Nonna claps her hands together. “Back to work! We have an event to prepare for.”
Andrew tucks the mistletoe back into the box, and we all continue with our tasks.
Jane’s dad walks in with the goodies from the bakery.
The smell of freshly baked cookies fills the air, making my stomach growl.
I glance at the clock; it’s almost noon, which means Grayson should be here any minute with lunch.
As if on cue, the front door swings open with a chime, and Grayson steps in, two pizza boxes in his hands. “Lunch delivery.”
His gaze meets mine, and a soft smile touches his lips.
“My hero!” I run over to him. “I’m starving.”
He hands me a slice and takes one for himself. “Hope it’s to your liking.”
“You know me, Gray, I could live off pizza.”
He chuckles. “Believe me, I know.”
I nudge his arm and lower my voice. “How did your meeting with the captain go today?” I take a big bite of my slice.
He looks around, rubbing the back of his neck.
I grab another slice and tilt my head toward the back of the bookstore. Grayson follows behind me, and we enter Jane’s office, which is more chaotic than usual. Not that I mind, but it’s so very unlike Jane. I push a few papers aside and set my plate down on her desk.
“Are you okay? You seem…nervous. Did the meeting not go well?”
He hesitates, playing with the crust of his pizza slice. “Actually, it went better than I expected.”
“Really?” I ask, my eyebrows shooting up. His statement contradicts his demeanor. “That’s great, isn’t it?”
He looks around the office, avoiding my gaze. “Yeah, it is…”
“Well, you don’t seem thrilled. So what’s wrong?”
“Well, Captain said I’ve done a great job here. That I’ve got great potential.” He pauses, taking a deep breath. “More potential than this small town.”
My heart sinks a little at his words. “Does that mean…are you thinking of leaving Oakridge Hollow?”
He doesn’t respond immediately. I always thought I would leave town, not Gray. He’s like the walking billboard for the ideal small-town guy, even though he didn’t grow up here. Charming, loyal, cares for everyone, outstanding citizen, and none of that is because he’s a police officer.
“It’s a great opportunity for growth. But this is my home, and then there’s Gramps…and you.”
He meets my eyes now, and I can see the war of emotions in them.
Wait, me?
Well, duh. We’re friends. He wouldn’t want to leave his friends.
“Is that what you want to do? To leave?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. It’s a great opportunity that’s hard to ignore. I came here because I wanted different experiences to grow, but I also can’t imagine leaving.”
I try to sound as enthusiastic as possible, even though the thought of him leaving saddens me. More than saddens me, it’s causing a pit in my stomach.
“No matter where you go, you’ll do great things.” I reach out, placing a hand on his arm. I try to keep my voice as even as possible and ignore the wave of emotions passing over me. “You have to do what’s best for you and your future. You’ll figure it out.”
I take a bite of pizza, which tastes like cardboard now. Ugh, this pit in my stomach can’t even let me enjoy one of my favorite food groups. I can’t. I have to get out of here.
“I should get back out there before Jane thinks I’m avoiding work.” I get up from the chair, toss my pizza in the trash, and give a weak smile before I walk out.
As I reach the doorway, Grayson stands, grabbing my hand. “Thanks, Bookworm.”
He pulls me into a hug, and I resist letting the tears welling up in my eyes flow. I stuff them back down, deep, deep down. When he lets go, I look up at him and muster the best “I support you” smile.
But all I can think about is him leaving me here. Alone. If he does leave, I will too. I won’t stay in this town a minute without him. I don’t know where I’ll go, but I’ll go back to my nomadic roots. That’s where I belong anyway. It’s where I’ve always belonged.
“There you two are!” Jane and Nonna appear in the hall.
“We were just coming out,” I say.
Jane points above my head. “Guess that’s where Andrew put it.”
Nonna chuckles beside her. I look up to see that Grayson and I are standing beneath mistletoe.
“Wow, Andrew really wants to sneak in some extra smooches, huh?” I nervously chuckle.
Who says smooches anymore? Gosh, I can’t handle these feelings; they’re making me say weird things. I need to get back to work.
“Regardless of who it was meant for, you two are standing beneath it now.” Nonna winks.
“Um…” I look at Grayson. He’s caught off guard, too, his eyes wide as he glances down at me. I look back at Nonna and Jane.
“It’s tradition,” Nonna says with a bit of sternness in her voice.
We both freeze for a second, staring at each other, caught like deer in the headlights. Grayson clears his throat, then kisses the top of my head. When he tries to step around me, Nonna shakes her head.
“You can’t break tradition, Grayson.” She grins, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Yeah, Grayson. Don’t you respect tradition?” Jane adds, her voice full of laughter.
He looks into my eyes as if asking a silent question. My heart thumps loudly in my chest, a nervous flutter building in my stomach.
He gives a slight nod, and I step on my tiptoes to press my lips against his. We’re both stiff for a moment, but then I close my eyes, leaning into him. He tastes like pepperoni pizza and peppermint. An odd combination, but it’s Grayson.
I meant for this to be a harmless quick peck just to get Nonna off our backs. But something shifts inside me, sending sparks coursing through me, setting every nerve on fire. And I don’t want to stop.
But then I remember we have an audience, so I pull away. Grayson’s cheeks have a hint of a blush on them, his eyes locked with mine.
I laugh nervously, trying not to show the impact of the kiss as I look at them.
“Atta girl.” Nonna winks at me. “Come on, Jane, back to work.”
Jane gives me a sly grin then walks away with Nonna.
A rush of heat travels up my spine as I look back at Grayson, who is still looking at me.
A slow, shy smile graces his lips, and my heart flutters in response.
Every fiber of my being is screaming at me to look away, to laugh it off, to do anything but reveal the churning emotions inside me.
But Grayson’s gaze is locked on mine, and I can’t look away.
My mind is reeling, flooded with countless memories of us and all the things I’ve said about him, this week alone—his comforting presence, our shared laughter, the protective way he cares for me, the warmth of his hand in mine.
All those small moments start to take on a new meaning. Gray’s been there for me always.
Could what I feel for him be more than just friendship? Is it possible?
The walls feel like they’re closing in, and my skin feels hot.
He opens his mouth as if to say something, but then closes it again.
“I…we…back to work,” I manage to stutter out and turn to walk away.
I swallow hard, my fingers touching my tingling lips. This changes everything.