Chapter 4 #2
The rest of the meal passed pleasantly enough that I didn’t want our time to end. So I was happy when, after we’d gone back outside, he asked me if I’d like to walk for a bit.
“Sure,” I said, looking both ways along the sidewalk.
The downtown area was busy with tourists heading to dinner or going out for a postmeal hot cocoa and dessert.
Even though creepy trucker hat guy was probably long gone, I’d rather not walk by him twice in one night.
It might be nice to take the creek path instead.
“How about we take the scenic route?” I suggested.
He pointed at a candy shop across the street. “Or we could satisfy our sweet tooth.”
I patted my belly. “I appreciate the offer, but I couldn’t even fit a mini candy cane in there after the meal we just had.” I aimed a thumb toward the short alley between buildings that led to the path. “Shall we?”
“Sure,” he said with a smile.
It was nice that he seemed to want to extend our night by getting dessert. But I’d had a long first day, and a stroll back to the inn sounded perfect. And I hadn’t yet seen the creek path since I’d been back to town.
We cut between the buildings and joined the well-shoveled path.
No one else was around. A few animated Christmas displays dotted the pristine snow, and flickering faux gas lamps lit the trail.
Overall, it had a more hushed, romantic feel than the hustle and bustle of Main Street.
The creek bubbled along beside us, looking almost black in the muted evening light.
I stopped and pulled out my phone. “Sorry. This is so pretty, I just have to take a picture.” I snapped away, took a panorama, and recorded a short video.
I hoped the sound of the creek came through.
Many people probably thought Christmasville was too crowded.
I wanted to show that visitors could still find quiet moments of beauty.
“Okay, I’m finished,” I said, slipping the phone back into my bag. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine. Part of the deal when you’re with someone in social media marketing, I imagine.”
It was true. My brain was never completely off of work. I was always seeing opportunities and getting excited. We started walking again, slowly and side by side so closely that our hands nearly touched.
“So, where do you live when you’re not checking out theme towns for new hotel opportunities?” I asked.
A lock of his blond hair fell out of place, and he lifted a hand to smooth it back. “New York City.”
Because of course. If this was to be my own Christmas romance movie, there had to be a love interest from the big city whose heart needed to be charmed by the small town.
“Where did you live before?” Aaron asked.
“Boston.” As of only a few days ago, but it already seemed like a different lifetime.
“So, why did you come to work in Christmasville?” Aaron asked.
“There was an opening in my field,” I said simply.
He raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me for saying so, but that’s bull.”
Laughter burst out of me. “Oh, really?”
“I mean, if there’s a job opening in the place where you already live, yeah, sure. But to move to a town like this. There has to be more to it.”
He had me there. I just didn’t feel like going into the big, long story. “I recently went through some … life changes. And I used to come here with my parents when I was little. So when I saw the job posting, I don’t know …”
“It felt like a Christmas miracle?” he said with a smirk.
I put a hand to my chest in fake outrage. “Are you mocking me?”
“A little.” His gaze flickered around the scenery. “But I have to admit I feel myself getting taken in by the town as well.”
“Not by the townspeople,” I pointed out.
“Ouch,” he said. “But true.”
“Do you think they’ll come around?” I asked.
“I hope so. I’m not out to kill any small businesses.
I’m hoping to bring new business to town.
More visitors. People who may not like small, quaint inns.
Tourists who want to visit Christmasville but want their lodging to have a state-of-the-art fitness center, world class spa, and full-size indoor pool. ”
“That’s not really the town’s vibe, though. Do you really think Christmasville needs a big chain hotel?”
He scowled. “Now you’re starting to sound like one of them.”
I stopped walking and turned to face him. “I’m not saying it wouldn’t work. I do think you’re right that there’s a market here not being served. But I just worry about the people who’ve built their lives here.”
His face softened. “And that’s what makes you a good person. You’re brand new here and you already care about everybody.”
I shrugged. “They’re easy to care about.”
He looked off into the distance. “Of course, none of this matters if we can’t get a good deal on the land. So, we’ll see how it goes.” His eyes came down to meet mine. “But in the meantime, my market research is giving me some truly attractive reasons to stay.”
I could feel my cheeks flushing pink, and it wasn’t because of the cold air.
“I’ve really enjoyed tonight,” he said, his voice deep.
“Well, obviously. I’m delightful.” I smirked. For some reason I suddenly wanted to keep things light.
He chuckled, closing the space between us.
His gaze lowered from my eyes to my lips.
Was he about to … kiss me? A shot of panic rushed through me.
I’d enjoyed the flirting, but I didn’t know if I wanted to take it further yet.
I barely knew him. And despite all my inner bravado about having a healing rebound fling, now that an opportunity presented itself, I was hesitant.
He leaned in. Now or never, brain. Decide! Lean in or pull back! Though if this was truly my own Christmas romance movie, I wouldn’t have to decide. Because our first kiss would be interrupted, probably by something humorous.
Or a bloodcurdling scream that pierced the night air.