Chapter 13 David #2
Strings of lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a warm glow over the ice. Music played from speakers mounted on poles around the perimeter, a mix of classic rock and holiday songs that made people smile as they glided past.
Nolan turned out to be even more charming and fun than Mia could have imagined. He was terrible at skating, which he admitted immediately, and spent the first twenty minutes clutching the wall while Lila tried to teach him the basics.
“You’re supposed to glide, not walk,” Lila called, demonstrating with easy grace.
“I am gliding,” Nolan protested, his legs splaying awkwardly. “This is what gliding looks like when you’re me.”
Mia laughed so hard she nearly fell herself.
Lila seemed to take to him right away, drawn in by his self-deprecating humor and genuine interest in her puzzles and codes. Eve took a little longer, watching him with the careful assessment of someone who’d spent decades protecting the people she loved.
But by the time they were all breathless and their stomachs sore from laughing, Eve had relaxed too, her smiles coming easier and her guard dropping.
They were also starving.
The ice rink coordinators pointed them to the food tent, which was serving a variety of meals, including, much to Lila’s delight, pizza.
They found a picnic-style table and settled in, the warmth of the tent a welcome contrast to the cold air outside.
Nolan’s phone rang just as they were digging into their food.
He looked down and rolled his eyes. “It’s my editor. Excuse me, I have to take this.”
Mia nodded, her eyes catching the name on the screen.
Dad D
Was his dad his editor?
As Nolan walked off toward a quieter corner of the tent, Lila said, “I like him, Mom.”
Eve took a bite of her pizza and reluctantly admitted, “I like him too.” Then she noticed Mia watching Nolan, her expression thoughtful. “Is everything okay?”
“His phone said Dad D,” Mia said before she could stop herself.
“Yes, it’s his father who adopted him,” Lila told them, not looking up from her pizza. “He goes on assignments for him.”
“How do you know all that?” Mia asked.
“I asked him about his family.” Lila shrugged, digging into another slice. “Didn’t you?”
“I didn’t think it appropriate,” Mia admitted. “I mean, we’ve only just met and I didn’t want to pry.”
“Mom,” Lila sighed. “You’re very rusty in this dating game.”
“Well, sweety, it has been seventeen years since she met your father,” Eve pointed out.
“Yes, but they’ve been divorced since I was ten,” Lila countered.
“I’ve been too busy for dating,” Mia said, feeling her cheeks heat. She looked pointedly at Eve. “Besides, Eve, you’re one to talk. It’s been twelve years for you.”
“I’ve dated,” Eve reminded them.
“A few blind dates and dinner setups from friends doesn’t count as dating, Aunt Eve,” Lila told her. “I’m glad we came on this holiday.” She grinned. “My two favorite people have both met two wonderful men.”
Nolan came back at that moment. “I’m sorry about that. It was my publisher.” He looked at Mia. “Who is also my stepfather.” He sighed and slid back into the seat next to Lila, across from Mia.
Their knees collided under the table.
Mia’s heart skipped a beat. She tried to shake it off, reaching for her water instead.
“Is everything okay?” she asked. “Is he happy with what you’ve sent through so far?”
“I think so,” Nolan nodded. “I’m going to check out the harbor tomorrow as he wants some pictures of it. Do you want to come...” He glanced at Eve and Lila before catching Mia’s eyes again. “I don’t want to take up all your time...”
“I’m sure my mom would love to,” Lila answered for her. “My Aunt and I are planning on going to the historical society and then some other museums. My mother hates those places. She thinks they’re creepy.”
“I have to agree with your mother,” Nolan told her. “Especially museums. They just creep me out so much.” He visibly shuddered at the thought of them.
Mia’s heart felt like it was swelling as she watched Nolan and Lila interact.
It was like they’d known each other for years, the conversation flowing easily between them.
He even tried some of her favorite puzzles on that weird app she had, his face scrunched in concentration as he worked through the logic.
All too soon, the night was over, and they were heading back to the car.
“I need to hit the bathroom,” Nolan said as they reached the parking lot. “I’ll meet you at the car?”
“Take your time,” Eve said.
They walked toward their rental, and Mia frowned as another figure appeared, heading toward a car parked just in front of theirs.
“Hello again,” Calvin said, stopping at his vehicle. “We keep running into each other today.”
“Hello,” Mia said, frowning. Suddenly, she realized why Nolan found him creepy.
It was his eyes. The way he looked at you and assessed you in a way that only someone with a trained eye would recognize.
She hadn’t seen it before, not until he turned to look at her daughter and Eve with that same calculating gaze.
“Hello,” Lila said curiously. “You’re staying at the Christmas Inn, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” Calvin nodded. His eyes moved slightly past Lila, just for a second. “Well, I have to get to a meeting. Nice seeing you again.” He waved, climbed into his car, started it, and left.
Mia turned to where his eyes had moved, ever so slightly, and frowned when she saw Nolan walking back toward the car, his eyes glued to his phone.
Was it just her, or did Calvin not want Nolan to see him?
Mia shook the notion off. She was being paranoid. This was a small town. Calvin was in a hurry to get to a meeting. That was all.
Nolan reached the car and slid his phone into his pocket. “Sorry to keep you.”
“Not at all,” Mia said.
They got back to the Inn, and Eve and Lila discreetly disappeared upstairs, leaving Nolan and Mia alone in the lobby.
“Tomorrow then?” Nolan asked. “The harbor?”
“I’d love to,” Mia said.
They stood there for a moment, the lobby quiet around them, the night outside pressing against the windows.
Their eyes locked, and Nolan took a step closer.
Mia’s breath caught.
He reached up, his hand gentle as it touched her cheek.
She leaned in, her eyes closing, the world fading to just this moment, this feeling, this—
“Oh, do excuse me.”
Mia and Nolan jumped apart, turning to see Preston walking past them, his expression pleasant and apologetic. He must’ve just got back from being out.
“Good night,” he said, tipping his hat before disappearing into the dining room.
Mia felt her cheeks flush hot.
Nolan cleared his throat, his hand dropping to his side.
“Well,” Mia said, her voice coming out higher than normal. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Tomorrow,” Nolan agreed.
Mia turned and nearly ran up the stairs, her heart pounding, her face burning, everything inside her a jumbled mess of embarrassment and disappointment and something else she couldn’t quite name.
She didn’t look back.
Couldn’t look back.
Because if she did, she might run back down those stairs and finish what Preston had interrupted.
And she wasn’t quite ready for that yet.