Jake
Riley’s hypnotic brown eyes widen as she looks at me, setting my blood on fire as if every twinkling light strung above us is fueling the heat between us. I need to do damage control immediately so Christy doesn’t catch on—and to calm the erection straining against the zipper of my jeans.
Once Christy leaves, I shove my hands in my pockets to stop myself from pulling Riley against me and claiming her mouth with mine. She looks delicious in her white jumper dress, with dark curls tumbling over her shoulders
I want to ask about her preferred hot chocolate so I can have it waiting for her at our date tonight, but she looks dazed, like a deer caught in headlights. Maybe it’s best to let her gather herself and get ready.
“I’ll see you at nine,” I tell her, my voice laced with anticipation, before heading in the direction Christy disappeared to join our family at the market.
It’s cold today, the kind of frosty chill that settles into your bones, and the temperature will keep dropping as night falls.
As I meander around the stalls, inhaling the mingling scents of pine and cinnamon, I bump into Carter and Shelli, who are picking out ornaments together. After chatting for a bit, I rejoin my mom, Christy, and Trey near a stand selling Christmas cookies shaped like stars and bells.
“Nice of you to join us,” I tease my brother. “Thought you were well and truly ensconced in the gaming world.”
Trey grins. He takes his gaming seriously, and I can’t say I blame him. He was crowned champion in some game or other last year, and since then, he’s had brand deals piling up like presents under the tree. He could easily afford his own place by now, but like me, he wanted to be there for Mom after Dad’s passing.
“I wouldn’t miss the Christmas light switch-on,” he replies. “Besides, it’s the only time of year I can get Fiona’s famous gingerbread hot chocolate.”
Christy wrinkles her nose. “Of all the flavors she makes, you have to pick the most obscene.”
“It’s not that bad at all,” Mom chimes in, laughing at Christy’s grimace. “Though I do have a soft spot for her peppermint hot chocolate. I wonder if she’d part with the recipe.”
“I doubt it,” Christy says, shaking her head. “I remember her saying it’s her grandmother’s secret recipe, passed down by word of mouth.”
We all laugh at the notion, though honestly, it adds a bit of charm. Secrets and traditions sell this time of year.
Mom pulls Christy toward a stall displaying knitted scarves, each one woven in cheerful holiday colors. Trey scrubs a hand over his face and rolls his eyes.
I frown. “You okay, bro?”
“Yeah,” he says, sighing. “Feels like everything’s changing since Dad died. Like time is moving fast and slow all at once.”
I nod, understanding what he means. “It’s our first Christmas without him,” I say softly, though none of us need the reminder. The emptiness Dad left behind is a quiet, unspoken presence tonight, even among the holiday cheer. Between losing him, moving back in with Mom, and Carter’s whirlwind engagement, it’s easy to feel like we’re standing still while life rushes around us.
Mom and Christy reappear, each with a festive new scarf around their necks and another tucked in a bag—no doubt a Christmas gift for someone.
Breaking away from my family, I head toward the hot chocolate stand, getting in line a good thirty minutes before Riley is supposed to meet me. My stomach twists with nerves as I picture her reaction. I want tonight to be perfect, filled with the warmth and magic of the season—but I also don’t know how Christy will take it when she finds out I took her best friend on a date.