Chapter 14
K eely glanced around the coffee shop, surprised at how many people were there, even if it was Christmas Eve Eve. There was an unmistakably festive air, and everyone had on their holiday finest.
She was glad she'd worn her sexiest red dress and heels. Nicki had insisted on it, saying it would be a great visual aid when Keely talked to Travis later this evening.
Keely had been nervous but she'd sent Travis a text, asking if they could talk, in person. She desperately needed to explain herself, and let him know how she felt. After that, if he didn't want to continue things into the new year...well, that's what resolutions were for.
He'd answered quickly, which gave her hope, especially when he'd suggested the coffee shop as a meetup. She'd put the text through an extensive and rigorous analysis, not wanting to miss any hidden messages. Still, "Let's meet at 8 p.m." didn't require a secret decoder spy ring to figure out.
She made her way into the crowd, looking for Nicki, who had said it was a good idea to meet beforehand, all while denying it was to boost Keely's confidence.
"You're close to one-hundred percent sassiness level," Nicki had said, beaming with pride. "Any higher and we'll have to call in some governmental regulatory agency."
Keely laughed, thinking about other ways Nicki had suggested to lower her sassiness to safer levels. Most of them involving Travis. She was ready to give them a try. Hopefully Travis would be, too.
"Hey, it's you!"
She turned, startled to see a familiar bearded man with a milkshake-type drink, sprinkles included, only this time he was wearing a dressier red flannel shirt, and boots that were clearly meant for special occasions, not work sites.
"Travis the First! How's your holiday been?"
"It's been great. Everybody at work keeps asking me to repeat the story of how you approached me here." He grinned. "They also give me hell for not pretending I was the one you were meeting."
That made her laugh. "But we did get to meet, so it all worked out, right?"
"Yeah, that's how I look at it." He saluted her with his drink. "I hope your Christmas wishes come true."
She watched as he made his way through the crowd, meeting up with his friends. "That was incredibly sweet."
In the next instant, Nicki breezed in. "Sorry I'm late. It's been a crazy day—hey! That looks like some kind of music setup over there."
Keely shrugged. "Maybe they've decided to expand their horizons. Try something they haven't done before. Like I'm planning on doing."
"We can celebrate with a little kick in our peppermint mochas." Nicki winked and patted her purse. "I'm carrying."
Keely laughed. "I can't believe you sometimes."
"That's me! Full of surprises." She took Keely's arm. "Let's find a table. It's getting more crowded by the minute."
"Yeah, it is. Nice outfit, by the way." Nicki had put together something Cruella would have worn for the holidays, and was totally rocking it. "Is Wyatt meeting you here?"
Keely didn't begrudge them their happiness, even if she was a bit envious. She'd have to get used to being around them as a couple if she and Travis didn't—no, she wasn't going there right now. She couldn't bear the thought of being polite strangers with the man who had her heart.
"He said he's on his way. Okay, this looks like a good spot."
It was close to the little stage that had been set up for music. "Wonder what they'll play," Keely said. "Did you hear anything about it?"
"Not really. I guess we'll find out pretty soon." Nicki was craning her neck, looking around the room.
"Who are you looking for?"
"Nobody."
"Nicki, what's going on?"
Wyatt eased into a seat next to Nicki, his eyebrows shooting up when he saw her attire. He grinned and then leaned forward to give Keely a quick wave. Who would have ever guessed this odd couple would get together? They were going strong while she and—
"Travis?"
Keely's jaw dropped. Travis—a very handsome Travis, wearing a Santa hat—walked onto the stage area. He was smiling and gripping a microphone in his hand. Even more shocking, he was smiling at her , but nervously, as if unsure of his reception.
Her heart fluttered wildly. She thought she'd never see that smile again.
She turned to Nicki, but her friend just shrugged elaborately, as if she didn't know what was going on, which meant she knew exactly what was going on. Keely would deal with her later.
But now she had to look at Travis. Her eyes had been starved for him. He looked at her the same way.
In the next instant, Grandma and two of her friends shimmied onto the stage behind Travis. The bouncy intro to Travis' favorite Christmas song started playing over the speakers and then he was singing.
To her.
It was filled with longing, and promise, and even an apology. Every word was for her.
Keely sniffled. She couldn't help herself. Nicki gave her a hug.
"You're lucky I don't know how to throw a punch," Keely whispered.
Nicki beamed. "You're welcome."
Grandma and her friends were great backup singers, cooing at just the right spots, with dance moves that had people cheering throughout the place. They were having so much fun in the limelight. Keely flashed her grandma a thumbs up, and Grandma blew a big kiss her direction.
Too soon the song was nearing the end. Keely felt her heart swell with hope, and love, as Travis came closer to her table.
The music stopped right before the song's final line. The backup singers stood still. The crowd grew quiet, and everyone's eyes were on Travis.
He knelt and took Keely's hand in his. His voice was sexy and strong as he sang, "All I want for...ever...is you."
Keely jumped out of her chair and threw herself into his arms. "Travis! I love you."
He stood and held her tightly. "God, Keely, I love you so much. It's been torture without you. I'm supposed to be groveling but I'm even worse at that than dating. Please say you can forgive me."
"Stop! I'm going to cry. And there's nothing to forgive. I have so much to say, to explain."
"I've made you cry too much already." He rubbed his shoulder. "Nicki gave me hell for it, too."
"Be glad it was your shoulder. She wanted to attack a different body part but I talked her out of it." She smiled. "I was hopeful I'd get to enjoy it again one day."
His eyes lit up. "My—"
"Voice."
He pretended to pout, but it didn't last very long. "I'll sing for you any time you want."
"Tonight?"
"Every night."
He followed it with a heartfelt kiss, one that was quickly turning passionate. There was applause and cheering and Keely started to blush, forgetting they weren't the only ones in the coffee shop.
"Maybe we should say our farewells," she suggested. "Unless you're scheduled for an encore?"
He shook his head. "I'm a one-hit wonder."
"It was wonderful, Travis. Let's go home and make up a playlist. We'll need to find some songs for the other holidays in the year, right?"
"Yes!" He grabbed her hand and headed for the door. "There's so much to look forward to in the new year. With you, Keely."
They didn't make it very far. Grandma stopped them and gave both of them a hug. "That was so much fun! We need to do it again sometime." She leaned back and saw the impatience in both their faces. "But we can discuss that later. Go have fun. Oh, and Travis. We'll be expecting you on Christmas Day."
"I wouldn't miss it."
"She means the whole family will be there, right, Grandma?"
Grandma gave her a wink. "Of course that's what I meant. Now go on."
They managed only a few more steps when Travis the First walked up to them. He fixed Travis with a meaningful stare. "This one's a keeper. I know you know that, but just to be sure..."
Travis nodded. "I've known that since the day I met her."
"Good to hear." Travis the First beamed. "And Merry Christmas." He slapped Travis on the shoulder. Unfortunately it was the one Nicki had given hell to, but he didn't even wince.
Keely made a beeline for the exit, impatient to get Travis to herself. Nicki and Wyatt followed them outside, their hands laced tightly together.
"Thanks again, Nicki," Travis said. "I owe you."
"For tonight? Not a problem. I was happy to help."
"No," he laughed. "For taking Wyatt off my hands. I'm indebted to you for life."
Wyatt gave a mock growl. "I'd never have met Nicki if it weren't for you, Keely. You're a life-changer for both of us St. James bros."
"Aww, you're the sweetest, Wyatt." Travis gave her a playful squeeze. "After this guy, of course."
Nicki blew a kiss to Keely, and then nestled under Wyatt's arm as they walked away. There was a spirited discussion about whether to revisit the scene of their first kiss or scope out the location for their next one.
"Finally," Travis said. "I've wanted to be alone with you for so long. I thought I'd lost my chance."
Keely snuggled against him. "I like the variation of the song you came up with tonight."
"I meant it. I do, Keely. I shouldn't have run. I'd fallen for you and was afraid you didn't feel the same way. How could I ever think that's what you were saying?"
She put her fingers to his lips. "Because I blundered it. I was trying to tell you I was excited about our plans past Christmas and instead made it seem like you were a holiday fling." She gazed up at him. "I couldn't believe how fast I fell for you. I wasn't sure you wanted the same thing—"
"I do. I should have just asked you instead of being a clueless dick."
"I should have explained myself, instead of watching you leave."
He wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Looks like we could both use a refresher on our customer service skills. Starting tonight."
Keely's heart pounded with excitement. "Plan on it being a long one, Santa. Longer than Christmas Eve."
"As long as you're stocked up on cookies. To keep Santa going all night." Travis nuzzled her ear, then started a trail of kisses down her neck. "In fact, what do you say we let Santa make a list when we get back home?"
Keely shivered. "What kind of list? A naughty list?"
"This Santa has a different idea of what's naughty and what's necessary."
"Necessary." She clasped his hand in hers and raced for the car. "Now you're talking, Santa."