Chapter Twenty Eight
MEREDITH
"Honey, are you sure you don't want to stay any longer?" Mom asked as she walked me out of the house.
"No, it's getting late."
"But it's Saturday tomorrow," Everly protested. “And Christmas Eve.”
I texted her after I left the event. When she told me she was at my parents’, I came straight over, and I spent the evening with the three people who meant the world to me.
It was time to go home, though. I hadn't told them I was most likely out of a job—I didn't want to worry them when nothing was certain—but I knew if I stayed longer, I was likely to spill the beans.
My sister dashed to the door as well. I kissed her cheek and then also patted her belly. I was always hoping to feel a kick, but so far, no such luck. Mom took a step back, and my sister whispered in my ear, "There's something you're not telling us."
I smiled, just shaking my head. I knew she'd catch on eventually. Good thing I was leaving.
Traffic was light, so I arrived home in no time. After removing my coat and shoes, I headed to my bedroom, taking off my clothes. I took a long shower, rewinding the day in my mind. After stepping out, I cleansed my face of makeup before applying night cream.
Then I slipped into my bed, grabbing my phone. As I suspected, my sister had messaged me.
Everly: What happened?
I typed back quickly so she wouldn't have a chance to worry. I hadn't told her or my parents anything about Cade either.
Meredith: Nothing! Don't worry. Just tired.
That wasn’t a lie. I was tired. But even so, instead of going to sleep, I opened the website of my favorite ornaments shop. They had next-day delivery. I’d braced myself for Everly to insist, but she didn’t. Knowing her, she was probably already asleep. Poor thing. She’d napped at my parents' too.
Some people were addicted to buying shoes. I was addicted to buying Christmas ornaments. I scoured the internet for a couple hours and was about to open yet another site when a message lit up the screen.
I bunched the covers to my chest when I saw a message from Cade.
Cade: Are you still up, beautiful?
I licked my lips, sitting up straighter in bed. My fingers tingled with excitement.
Meredith: Yes. Splurging my net worth on Christmas ornaments.
I swallowed hard.
Cade: I have a better idea. Meet me at Harvard Square at 10:00 tomorrow and I can indulge your addiction all you want.
My heart felt skittish, like it was jumping around in my chest.
Meredith: Game on.
I texted and deleted another reply before deciding on not sending anything else.
We’d talk tomorrow. I was determined to keep things light.
I wished I hadn’t told him all about the conversation with Alfred because I was certain it had been on his mind this evening.
But I couldn’t come up with an excuse about why I left. I didn’t want to lie.
I wished I could’ve spent the night with Cade’s family at Jeannie’s and Abe’s, but I thought I did the right thing.
I didn’t want to be a Debbie Downer, and I was afraid I might’ve done that based on the way I was feeling earlier this evening.
After I spoke with Cade, I’d have to tell Jeannie I was sorry for not showing up.
I knew she was excited about celebrating Cade’s win and wanted me to be there.
The next morning, I was out the door super early. I was sure he’d sent the wrong time—I knew for a fact that they opened at eleven o'clock because I'd been there for the last couple years almost religiously—but I was too anxious to see him to care.
When I arrived, I let out a sigh. This was where I first saw Cade. If I closed my eyes, I could still see my booth. A shiver went through me as I remembered how my entire body tightened up when I laid eyes on him the first time. God, I'd been so on edge.
I was even more on edge now when I saw him walking toward me just as I was getting out of my Uber.
The nearest booth was open. He was smiling widely, hands in his pockets.
I quickly glanced around. All the booths were already open, and there was no one here except Cade and me.
I’d forgotten my beanie, so my ears were freezing.
The air didn’t smell like mulled wine yet like it usually did.
"I feel like something's happening, but I don't know what," I explained, looking around again. “How is this even open?”
The nearest sales associate cleared her throat. "This gentleman here made a very convincing case for us all to open earlier—something about impressing his girlfriend. I was skeptical, but when he told me how much he cares about her, I fell hook, line, and sinker."
"And me," the elderly woman in the booth next to us added. She sold hand-knitted scarves and beanies. I knew that because I bought one scarf from her every year.
I looked back at Cade. "How did you manage that?"
"I told her this is one of your favorite Christmas markets, and it's also the place where we first met. I thought it was appropriate to bring you here to tell you everything I have on my mind."
I swallowed hard, clutching my purse to my chest. "When did you do this?”
“Last evening. I thought, 'What would make Meredith happiest?' A Christmas shopping spree without anyone crowding you. But first, Meredith, we need to set something straight."
"Oh, here it goes," someone murmured.
"I think everyone's listening," I whispered.
"Yeah, I haven't thought this through," Cade said, looking stern. "The one benefit of crowds is that the sound gets lost. Come on, let's step away."
We went farther away from the booths, under a huge tree.
"Meredith, last evening was a complete blur. I wanted you by my side the whole time. I didn’t tell Alfred anything he implied to you. You have to believe me."
"I do. Deep down, I didn’t believe it, but…”
He took my hands in his, tilting toward me until our foreheads were almost touching.
“I love you, woman. I realize I haven’t told you that before, but I plan to tell you every single day of my life.
How can you doubt that?" He put his hands on my face.
Immediately, I realized he was trying to warm up my ears with his thumbs. He remembered they always froze!
"And I love you, Cade. But we never spoke about what this is between us, or if we’re ready to commit.”
“I know I told you I've never done commitment in my life, but it's what I want with you. You are all I want for the rest of my life. I don't even remember who I was before you." He tilted even closer, and now our foreheads were touching in earnest.
I melted against him. I needed his heat, and all his beautiful words.
“You’re cold," he said.
"Just a bit."
In a flash, he unbuttoned his jacket and opened it so I could make even more contact directly with his body.
"Aren't you cold?" I asked.
"No. Don't doubt us again, Meredith."
"I'm sorry I did, but I was already on edge because of everything with Alfred, and when he said that, I just… I don't know. I'm sorry I left. I know it was an important evening for you, and you wanted us to celebrate it together."
He touched my jaw with his thumb, before touching my ear again. "You really are freezing."
"Just a bit," I admitted.
"We have the rest of our lives to celebrate together, babe. I love you so much.”
“I was so happy for you, so proud. I wanted to jump on that stage and then jump you." I chuckle. "Actually, no, I had a more elaborate plan in mind. I wanted to lure you somewhere quiet and jump you."
He grinned. "You can do that right now. I'm all yours to lure and jump and do whatever else you have in mind."
"I love you so much," I murmured.
"And I love you, too. I know this started out with a bang, and I can't promise that things will always be smooth sailing, but you and I, we’re a team, no matter what. Alfred was way off track."
"You don't need to explain. I understand. So, what do you want to do now?"
He wiggled his eyebrows. "Your choice."
"Well, since you so romantically arranged for them to open earlier for me, why don't we make a round?"
"That's not what I thought you were about to say."
I laughed softly. "But you've gone to all this trouble. Besides, this is hands down your most romantic gesture ever."
"I'm always happy to make you happy, Meredith,” he said as he took my hand, leading me back to the booths. "All right, you've got twenty minutes until the rest of the customers arrive. Go wild.”
When I told him this was the most romantic thing someone had done for me, I wasn't joking.
I knew some dreamed about going to Bergdorf Goodman or another department store after closing time to have the place to themselves.
All I wanted was the Christmas market. I already knew most of the booths, of course, but there were some new ones as well.
I bought garlands for my mom because I knew how much she wanted them, as well as treats for my sister. But I was antsy. Even though I loved being here, I wanted to look at everything at my own pace. I also wanted to be around Cade. I was yearning for it.
Once I bought my obligatory scarf and beanie, I turned to him and said, "I'm ready to go now."
He smiled lazily. "You only saw about half the booths."
"I know, but it's… Oh, I still have fifteen minutes. I did all of my shopping in five. Will you look at that?" I bounced up and down on my toes. "I guess I'm anxious to be alone with you."
"I thought you'd never say that. That's all I want."
"Okay, then let's go."
"Are you sure? Because I'm willing to wait."
"I thought you just said you were hoping I’d say I wanted us to leave?"
"Just trying to do the right thing."
"I love it when you try." I could torment him for a while longer, but the truth was, I longed for us to be alone.
He kissed my forehead. "Come on. Let's go."
"Fine."
"Don't those two look cute?" the sales associate from the scarf booth said, making me giggle.
We went outside the market, and I glanced up and down the street. "Should we Uber, or did you come with your car?"
"No, I Ubered here," he said and instantly pulled his phone out, tapping the screen.
A few minutes later, we were in the car, speeding toward my home. It was the closest of the two. He interlaced our fingers together, squeezing mine lightly.
I felt so blessed to have him in my life. And I was going to do all I could to keep him there… forever.