Chapter 6
SIX
LIAM
“Oh, since I’ve got you here, do you have a second to pop in real quick?” Cassidy asked, looking up from her dog.
Liam looked a little surprised. “I suppose so. Zach’s over at the farm shop untangling some lights for me.”
“This will just take a second, promise.”
Warm air, rich with the scent of melted chocolate and warming spices, wrapped around them as she held the door open. He followed in behind Muff, realizing just then how much he missed having a dog around.
His yellow Lab, Chance, had passed away last year. Liam had debated getting a puppy, but with all the work at the farm and opening a new shop, it wouldn’t be fair to the pup. In the end he’d decided to wait. But seeing Muff had him rethinking that decision.
A soft instrumental version of “Silver Bells” played in the background while the pup dashed through the kitchen and directly upstairs to the apartment.
“Over here, if you please.” She waved him to the front counter.
“Well, now you’ve really got me intrigued,” he said.
He followed her to the counter, watching as she opened the glass case and pulled out a dome-shaped dark chocolate with a glossy, polished shell.
“I know the sea salt milk chocolate wasn’t your favorite,” Cassidy said, cupping the treat in her palms. “Try this one.”
“You must be a glutton for punishment,” Liam said with a smirk.
“You don’t understand. This is personal now. I’ve never not been able to pick the perfect chocolate for someone. You will not be my Achilles’ heel. Now go on—try it.”
He started to take a bite when she stopped him.
“Whole thing,” she advised. “Trust me. That way you get all the layers.”
He raised an eyebrow but obliged. “Alright. You’re the expert.”
He popped the chocolate in his mouth and bit down. The flavors burst across his tongue—it was good. Too good.
Cassidy was watching him like a hawk, eyes bright with anticipation.
“Chocolate… coffee… is that brandy?”
She beamed. “Exactly! It’s my mocha brandy truffle. So? What do you think?”
He hesitated. “It’s great. But… not quite my favorite.”
Cassidy slumped in mock defeat.
“Sorry,” Liam said with a sheepish shrug.
The truth was, Cassidy had nailed it the first time. That sea salt milk chocolate had nearly blown his mind.
Rich. Smooth. Unexpectedly complex.
But he couldn’t tell her that. Because the second he admitted she’d gotten it right, this little game would be over. And he wasn’t ready for that.
There was something very sexy about watching her work him out. The way her brow furrowed in concentration, the sparkle in her eyes. He’d never had anyone study him like that—not with curiosity and determination and a kind of joy that made his chest ache.
Her chocolates weren’t just good—they were something else. A whole different level. And yeah, maybe he hadn’t grown up with things like that. Maybe a part of him still believed he didn’t deserve them, or her.
But he wanted her. Badly.
“I will get it right,” she vowed, pointing at him like a challenge.
He gave her a slow smile. “I’m looking forward to it.”
And God help him, he really was.
Before she could respond, the bell above the door jingled and the mayor’s great-niece and personal assistant, Elsie, breezed in.
Elsie had heels that were too high for the ice outside and a coat that looked more New York than Maple Falls.
She was all business, all the time, striding in like she had an agenda and everyone else better get out of her way.
“Perfect!” she exclaimed, seeing them together. “I’m so glad I caught you both!”
Liam clocked the plastic bin tucked under her arm and braced himself. Whatever she had planned, he already suspected it wasn’t going to be good.
“I was just talking to Mayor Bloomfield,” she said, “and while he might not fully appreciate what I’m doing, you will.”
Her words were aimed at both of them, but only Cassidy was smiling.
“What are you working on?” Cassidy asked.
“An online, town-wide spotlight series,” Elsie explained, taking off the bin lid. “I want to feature every participating business in the Christmas Light-Up Display Competition. We’ll post cute write-ups and festive photos—social media gold. I even brought props!”
She pulled out Santa hats, felt reindeer antlers, and glitter-covered glasses shaped like Christmas trees.
Cassidy leaned over with interest. “Ooh, I love this one,” she said, pulling out a green felt elf hat and placing it on her head. “What do you think?” she asked Liam, posing with her hands on her hips.
On anyone else, it would’ve looked silly. On Cassidy, it was… charming.
He tried not to show it. “You make it work.” Understatement of the year. She looked like a flirty, mischievous Christmas elf, and now his brain was full of thoughts it absolutely shouldn’t be having in a public space.
Thoughts that included the hat staying on… and not much else.
Elsie held up the glitter glasses. “And what about these for you?”
“No. Absolutely not.”
Cassidy rolled her eyes. “Don’t mind him. He’s just a grinch.”
Elsie looked momentarily deflated but quickly rallied. “No problem, not everyone needs a prop.”
“Do you mind if I keep this?” Cassidy adjusted her hat. “I want to wear it to the Santa House opening tonight.”
“Of course! It looks adorable on you,” Elsie said.
Cassidy looked back at Liam. “You coming?”
“The Santa House? No.” He would rather run the Jingle Bell 5k with his torn hamstring.
The Santa House, a small cottage next to the courthouse grounds, looked like a real-life gingerbread house.
It was decorated in Bavarian style with whites and browns and plenty of oversized lollipops and gumdrops lining the walkway.
The house opened tonight and would be available for kids, and kids at heart, to stop by and visit the head elf himself.
There was even a paddock off to the side that housed his reindeer. Well, two of them anyway.
Cassidy shrugged and turned back to Elsie. “So, what are you thinking?”
“Just a quick chat here. I’ve got some great hashtags lined up—#MapleFallsMagic, #CocoaCorner, and I was thinking maybe #SpicedCocoa?”
Cassidy nodded. “I love that idea.”
Elsie beamed. “Perfect. I’ll talk to Cassidy first, and then I’ll pop across the street to your shop, Liam, for a few quick quotes.”
“Sure. Whatever you need,” he said, far less enthusiastically.
Elsie turned away, her attention already locked on Cassidy, leaving him standing off to the side.
He should’ve felt relieved, escaping from Christmas hell, but he didn’t.
He glanced at Cassidy, watching as she laughed and adjusted her elf hat while Elsie fired off questions. She looked radiant. Confident. Like she belonged in the center of this holiday scene.
Liam was out of his depth here. Christmas wasn’t his thing and it hadn’t been for a long time. The lights, the fanfare, the endless holiday cheer… it all reminded him of what he’d once had and knew he’d never find again.
But somehow, standing in the Cocoa Corner watching Cassidy shine, he found himself wondering if maybe this season wouldn’t always have to hurt quite so much.