Chapter 47
FORTY-SEVEN
LIAM
Late that night, with the stars crowding the sky and a thin crescent moon hanging low, Liam went for a walk down Oak Way.
The street, usually buzzing with chatter and foot traffic, had gone quiet.
Not silent exactly. He could still hear the scrape of a snow shovel in the distance, a car engine starting, muffled laughter as a couple hurried down the sidewalk, but there was a hush settling in.
It was the kind of hurried silence that came before a snowstorm hit.
People wanted to run their errands and get home before the roads became too bad.
Liam didn’t mind. He liked having the street to himself. He’d spent the whole evening thinking about what Zach had said, and the worst part was, he knew his friend was right.
But that didn’t mean he could just walk over to Cassidy’s and blurt out an apology. He didn’t want to tell her how sorry he was. He wanted to show her. To find a way that would mean something.
But still, doubt crept in. Maybe she’s already asleep. Maybe she doesn’t want to see me. Maybe I should give her more time.
He walked on, looking at the icicles glittering under the streetlights, listening to the snow crunching underfoot and hearing nothing but silence.
At the end of the street, the town Christmas tree shimmered. Somehow, Liam found himself standing in front of it, looking up at the star on top, quietly asking for guidance.
Or maybe, just maybe, for a little of that Christmas magic to rub off on him.
Liam chuckled softly, scratching the back of his neck the way he always did when he felt unsure. Before Cassidy had come into his life, you would’ve never caught him talking to a Christmas tree star, but here he was.
“There’s this girl,” he said aloud, voice low and a little hoarse. “I care about her. A lot. More than I think I’ve let myself admit. And I keep screwing it up.”
He sighed before he went on. “She’s got this way about her. Lights up a room without even trying.”
He paused, eyes still fixed on the star.
“And now I’ve gone and hurt her. Again. Backed off when I should’ve leaned in. Said the wrong thing. Hell, maybe I’m the wrong guy. But she makes me feel like maybe I could be something better. Someone better.”
The wind picked back up, blowing down the street, carrying the scent of freshly fallen snow and something that felt a little like hope.
“I don’t know if you grant wishes or give second chances,” Liam said quietly. “But I could use both.”
Taking a deep breath, he let the icy air fill his lungs. It was sharp and clean, a brisk kind of cold that made him feel awake, maybe even a little brave.
Then he turned and walked toward the Cocoa Corner.
Her Cocoa they were worse than ever.