Chapter 28
Lucy
Iblink my eyes open and stare up at the ceiling of my room at Daisy’s Inn.
“It’s Christmas morning,” I say aloud.
I went to church last night here in Cashmere Cove. I sat in the back, and everyone was so caught up with their families that no one paid me much attention. Mass was beautiful, with poinsettias surrounding the sanctuary and candles flickering in every window.
It was a tradition between my dad and me to go to Christmas Eve mass, and then have a slow Christmas morning, culminating with a big lunch and a birthday cake for Jesus for dessert.
I allow myself a couple minutes to lie still.
My mind conjures up the smiling faces of both my parents.
My dad’s favorite picture of him and my mom used to sit on our mantle.
After he married Ruby, he gave it to me to keep in my bedroom.
I palm my phone on the nightstand next to me and click on my photos.
I took a picture of a picture so I’d always have it with me.
The two of them smile back at me from the screen.
I zoom in on their youthful faces, their grins as wide as their cheekbones.
Behind them is a sprawling tree farm with snow-dotted pines and a bright blue sky.
I touch the screen, as if I may be able to actually feel them.
Seeing them standing there, with their arms wrapped around each other, I realize the traditions my dad kept going for me were ones he and my mom started.
I wonder if it was painful for him, doing what the two of them used to do together, alone.
I never really considered it until now, and maybe it’s because of everything that happened earlier this week with TJ and honoring Tess’s memory, but there’s something really beautiful about moving forward but carrying with you what got you this far.
The People’s Picks are a part of my history now. I’m going to have to come out of the shadows eventually. At the thought, it feels like my mattress has turned into a pile of sticks. It’s not a comfortable idea.
I blow out a breath. One thing at a time. Today, it’s TJ’s game. I promised him I’d be there, and this is the most public outing I’m attending since the award show, so it has to count for something.
“I wish I had the courage you had, Dad.” I give the still shot of my parents’ smiling faces one last look. “I miss you,” I whisper, then click out of the photo.
I swing my legs over the edge of my bed and glance around my room.
It’s a disaster. That’s how my living spaces end up when I enter what I call my writing cave.
It’s truly cave-like. There are take-out containers and used coffee mugs strewn about.
A pile of laundry is thrown over the chair near the window.
I’ve got Post-it notes stuck to the wall over my desk.
Today, I’ll enjoy Christmas. Tomorrow, I’ll clean up.
My phone buzzes in my hand, and I look at the screen. I’m expecting to chat with my family in California, but it’s not even seven o’clock, so there’s no way they’re awake right now.
TJ
Merry Christmas, Lu. You up?
My heart lunges in my chest.
Lucy
I am! Merry Christmas to you, too.
TJ
I’m outside. Want to let me in? I have a present for you.
I bolt upright. Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror over my dresser.
I’m not in shape to entertain right now.
My room is a disaster, so we’ll have to stay downstairs.
My face is also a disaster, and unfortunately, that has to come with me.
I cross to the en suite bathroom while I type out a message.
Lucy
Give me five minutes.
TJ
I hurry to splash some water on my face and rid myself of the line of crusty drool that’s running from the corner of my mouth to my chin when my phone buzzes again.
TJ
That thumbs-up emoji means I’m excited to see you.
I can’t stop the goofy smile that spreads across my face. I stare at myself in the mirror over the pedestal sink, watching the blush rising into my cheeks. I tell myself not to overthink it, but the thoughts are being thought over and over again.
I let my fingers hover over the keyboard icons for half a second before deciding to be brave.
Lucy
Thanks for clarifying. I missed you this week. Be down soon!
I scramble back to my bedroom area and tug on an old sweatshirt over my pajama top. The flannel bottoms aren’t the best fashion choice I could make, but they aren’t the worst, either. I’m out of time, and mostly, I want to see TJ.
I pad down the stairs into the foyer of the Inn. It’s quiet down here. I don’t think Daisy has too many other visitors, though I’m pretty sure a couple families who are in town for the game are staying here. They’re all still behind closed doors.
I exhale.
Anytime she gets new guests, I feel like I have to shrink away. It feels good to walk around without dodging glances.
TJ’s silhouette darkens the glass sidelight window, and I flick the lock on the front door, giving myself a full view of him.
He’s in head-to-toe River Foxes gear, from his branded gray sweatpants to his navy sweatshirt with the orange-and-periwinkle fox logo in the center. He’s got a beanie on that’s striped with all the team’s colors.
“Morning, Lu.” He grins down at me and holds out a box. “Merry Christmas.”
“Thanks.” I take it from him, shaking my head. “I didn’t get you anything. Can you come inside for a second?”
“I don’t have long,” he says, even as he steps into the foyer. “I have to get back to the stadium.”
He follows me into the hearth room. I set the box on the arm of the couch and sink onto the nearest cushion. He takes the upright chair to my right.
“Should I open it now?” My fingers toy with a rip in the corner of the wrapping paper.
There’s a slight gap in the paper on the side, showing a brown box underneath, and I can see the jagged edge made by the scissors line beneath the excess of tape being used to hold it all together.
It’s charming in its imperfection, and it makes my insides feel some kind of way to know, or at least to guess, that TJ wrapped whatever is in here all by himself.
He didn’t have some River Foxes staffer pull a gift together for me. This is all him.
I can’t help but beam up at him when he nods and says, “Go for it.”
I slip my finger under the frayed edge and rip the paper off the top of the box.
The cover comes next, and I pull out a silky soft River Foxes jersey.
“Number twenty-five.” I hold it up and peek my head out from around the side of it, so I can see TJ’s face.
“I’ve heard he’s pretty good.” I wiggle my brows, flipping the jersey so I can see the back.
“Only the best for you, Lu.”
I hug the jersey to my chest. “You didn’t have to do that.”
He shrugs. “I didn’t want you to feel out of place at the game. I figured you didn’t have a jersey, since you aren’t much of a football fan.”
“I’m a fan of yours.”
A sly smile spreads across his face. “That’s what I like to hear.”
I make myself busy, running my hands over the fabric, tracing the letters of TJ’s last name, and trying not to overthink how that last name will be on my back this afternoon.
Daisy bustles into the room, but stops short at the sight of us. “Oh, my dears. So sorry to interrupt! I didn’t realize anyone else was up. Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas, Daisy.” I smile at my landlord and motion to TJ. “This is TJ Wilson. You may recognize him from the River Foxes.”
Daisy beams. “I sure do. Welcome, TJ. It’s a pleasure to have you here. Can I get either of you anything? I’m brewing some fresh coffee if you’d like a cup.”
TJ shakes his head but smiles. “Thanks, but I can’t stay long. Just wanted to get Lu her gift.” He winks at me as he gets to his feet.
“I’ll come and grab a cup after I see TJ out, Daisy. Thanks.”
She nods. “Good luck today, TJ. Tell the team we’re all rooting for ya.”
“Will do.”
TJ motions for me to go ahead of him, and I trail Daisy out of the room, pausing when I remember I want to retrieve the box and wrapping paper I left behind, but TJ has it in his hands. I smile at him as he joins me in the doorway. Such a simple thing, but the man is thoughtful like that.
“Hey, you two,” Daisy trills from near the front desk. “Look up.” She points above us and chortles before disappearing into the kitchen.
I look up and there, directly above where TJ and I are standing together, is a sprig of mistletoe. Immediate fire catches in my cheeks as I shift my gaze from the poison-kissing plant to TJ.
“Well, well, well,” he murmurs. “What do we have here?”
I bury my face in my new jersey. “You do not have to kiss me.”
“Okay.” He chuckles.
I brave a glance at him, and he’s looking at me with dancing eyes, like this is all hilarious to him. Little does he know I’ve been dreaming about kissing him since the snowball fight. If I’m being honest, it started before that, when he leaned in at the River Foxes gala.
I’m scared, and I’m self-conscious. I have zero experience, and he’s TJ freaking Wilson.
“You look terrified,” he says. “Don’t worry, Lu. I’m not going to bite.” He bends down. “I won’t kiss you unless you ask me to.”
Cue my heart doing some sort of record scratch. Because … what now? Is that an option? I need several more details and the permission to ask at least three clarifying questions, starting with TJ, do you want to kiss me?
He sets the box where he’s stuffed the wrapping paper down at his feet and then holds up his empty hands. “You should see your face.” He chuckles softly.
“This isn’t funny!” I reach out and shove him, but he doesn’t move. A wall of muscles wouldn’t, after all. He catches my wrists, holding them in the center of his chest. My knuckles graze his sweatshirt, and my fingers itch to scamper over his chiseled chest.
“You’ve got to admit, it’s a little funny.” TJ holds my gaze, arching his eyebrows. “I mean, it’s basically like a scene out of a book, right?”