Chapter 2 #2
“I disagree, but I have no intention of setting false expectations, therefore no one gets hurt,” Jason said, feeling defensive.
Roan glanced at the clock over the sink. “I need to get cleaned up, or we’re going to be late.”
“Yes, I should change out of my dance clothes and take a shower,” Reese said. “Help yourself to whatever’s in the fridge to drink. We’re supposed to meet Mauve at 6, so I’ll hustle.”
“I’ll do the same,” Roan said.
Leaning against the counter, Jason watched them leave the kitchen, chatting about details with the boys—already downstairs from their showers—and ordering pizza.
Domesticated. A twinge of jealousy crept up his spine.
This was a good life his brother had built here.
One that he would never have. He wasn’t made for it.
He shouldn’t have to remind himself of that.
He had the life he’d dreamt of since he was a kid performing on the high school stage.
Whatever this thing was with Mauve, maybe he should end it before one of them got hurt. Or both.
And yet, he immediately dismissed the idea. He just wanted to see her, touch her, spend time talking all night like they had in L.A. Even though it was probably a really, truly terrible idea.
The Moose was busy for a weeknight. Twinkle lights lined the roofline and a wreath the size of a tractor tire hung over the entrance.
Someone had wrapped a scarf around the neck of the life size sculpture of a moose.
Jason patted the cold metal as he passed by.
Roan and Reese walked in ahead of him, holding hands, and for a moment he was back in high school watching them fall in love.
Decades had passed since then, but whatever bond they’d had as kids had resurfaced the moment Roan had moved home to Sugarville Grove.
Some love stories didn’t end, just went on hiatus.
A hostess greeted them and pointed toward a booth in the back.
Mauve was already seated, her coat draped over the back of the booth, a glass of red wine in front of her.
Her honey-blonde hair was down around her shoulders, and she wore a dark green sweater.
She was looking at her phone, a slight smile on her face, and he realized with a jolt that she was probably rereading one of his texts.
His legs wobbled, and he actually stopped in the middle of the restaurant, staring at her.
Then she looked up.
Their eyes met, and the casual greeting and easy humor he’d rehearsed in his head on the drive over vanished. She was exquisite. How was he supposed to sit next to her all night and not touch her?
Mauve stood to greet them. Reese reached the table first, pulling her into a quick hug. Roan slid into the booth, with Reese following.
Jason held out his arms and then Mauve was against him, smelling like vanilla mixed with freesia, her body warm as she circled her arms around his neck.
He loved the way she smelled. He’d not washed the pillowcase from his guest room for weeks after she left just so he could bury his nose into the silky fabric and have Mauve back with him for just a second.
“I missed you,” Jason said into her ear.
“Missed you too.” She exhaled, her ribs expanding against his chest. “I can’t believe you’re actually here.’
Despite his reluctance to do so, he let her go and stepped back, his pulse racing. How was it suddenly hard to get a breath into his chest?
They sat side by side on the booth, only an inch between them.
“Are you tired after the red-eye?” Mauve asked.
That was Mauve. Always asking how he was, how he was feeling. Could she do anything for him? All of which melted his heart. And his resolve.
“Nah, I got a good nap in. Slept better than I have in weeks. I always forget how tranquil this place is.”
Mauve nodded, looking into his eyes. “I was thinking that same thing this morning. Like the quiet is a noise. Even though that’s impossible, of course.”
“But I know exactly what you mean,” Jason said.
The server appeared, and Jason ordered a beer, grateful for the interruption. Under the table, his hands were unsteady. He pressed them flat against his thighs.
This was ridiculous. He’d been on red carpets. He’d accepted an Emmy on live television in front of millions of people. He’d kissed a gorgeous actress on screen in a scene that required nine takes and a room full of crew watching. None of that had ever made him feel like this.
“How was the wrap party?” Mauve asked.
“Fun. Kind of crazy, if you want to know the truth,” Jason said. “Cast and crew let their hair down, so to speak. As did I.”
“I wish I could have been there,” Mauve said.
“I’d have loved that.” For a second, he was just lost in her eyes, but then remembered they were not alone like they’d been in L.A.
Mauve seemed to notice the same thing, because she swept her hair behind her shoulders, smiling at Reese and then Roan. “How are you guys? Any news?”
“Cody’s back from college,” Roan said. “With four bags of dirty laundry.”
“I want to go to a Hollywood party,” Reese said wistfully.
“They’re overrated,” Roan said drily.
“So is laundry.” Reese poked her husband in the side with her elbow.
The server arrived with drinks and took their food order. Burgers all around and a basket of fries to share.
Mauve rested her chin in her hand, tilting her head to look at him. “It’s good to have you home.”
Jason lifted his mug of beer. “Happy holidays. It’s good to be here.”
They all clinked glasses, and the conversation flowed easily, like they did this every Friday night instead of once in a blue moon.
To Jason, the four of them fit together in a way that felt like coming home.
He found himself fantasizing about what it would be like if he lived here full-time, but pulled himself back to reality before he lost himself in that rabbit hole.
Roan caught him up with what was happening at his gym, including more programs for teens.
Reese told them about choreographing the school play and how good Emma and Marcus were.
“They’re killing the dance parts. Marcus is light on his feet.
It’s pretty fun to watch his improvement over the last year. ”
“To think where we all were this time last year,” Roan said, shaking his head. “It’s hard to imagine now.”
“We’ve been blessed,” Reese said, placing her hand on her husband’s arm.
“Did you hear from your agent about the movie?” Mauve asked Jason.
“I did. Got it.”
Mauve’s face lit up. “I knew you would. I’m happy for you.”
“We start shooting January 2nd. In Prague,” Jason said.
“I’ve always wanted to go there,” Mauve said.
“Come visit me,” Jason blurted out. “I’ll fly you over.”
Mauve opened her mouth, but seemed to decide against whatever she was about to say and closed it again.
“Tell us more about the movie,” Reese said after a second or two of uncomfortable silence. “It’s so exciting.”
He told them what he knew and how he was hopeful it would lead to more roles in the future. “It feels like a game changer. But who knows? I might get fired.”
“You’re not going to get fired.” Mauve nudged his shoulder with her own.
“I hope not,” Reese said. “That would be awful.”
“I’ve been fired before,” Jason said. “First sit-com I got. Lasted exactly one week while shooting the pilot. They said they were heading another direction. Broke my heart.”
“Yeah, that was rough,” Roan said. “But it’s a good thing that happened or you wouldn’t have been available for Driftwood.”
“I know,” Jason said. “I think about that a lot. One thing ended so another could start.”
After dinner, Reese excused herself to use the restroom. Roan went to the bar to say hello to two of his clients, leaving Jason and Mauve alone in the booth.
The noise of the restaurant seemed to recede.
Mauve turned her wine glass slowly on the table. “Should we talk about what we’re doing? Rules? Like we did in L.A.?”
He nodded. “I guess we should.”
“We’re just having fun. Enjoying each other. No expectations or strings.”
“Agreed,” Jason said.
She picked up her wine glass and took a slow sip before setting it down again. “Even though it might hurt when you go?”
“You mean the more time we spend together, the harder it is to say goodbye?”
Her eyes flew open. “Do you mean that?”
“How could I not? You’re … beguiling. It’s not my fault.”
She laughed. “Okay, Hollywood.”
“Even though I know it’ll hurt to go, I want every moment I can with you. If that’s what you want too?”
“Like a month of the most incredible Christmas ever?”
“Yeah, like that,” Jason said.
“Doing all the Christmas things?”
“As only Sugarville can do them.”
She gave him a shy smile. “I guess we can do that.”
Roan reappeared with his jacket on, clearly unaware of how intimately they were talking. “Ready? It’s supposed to snow tonight, and I don’t want to get caught in it.”
“I don’t blame you after what happened last year at the gala,” Mauve said.
“Right?” Roan asked. “When I thought I was going to die before giving the love of my life a ring?”
“Thank goodness that didn’t happen,” Reese said, appearing at the table, also in her coat.
They all walked to the parking lot together.
Reese hugged Mauve goodbye and headed to the car with Roan, which left Jason standing with Mauve beside her car in the cold night.
She looked up at him and for a moment neither of them moved.
The parking lot lights caught the straw-hued highlights in her hair.
Snow had just started to fall, the lightest dusting, barely visible.
He wanted to kiss her. He wanted it so badly his chest ached.
Instead, he reached out and brushed a snowflake off her shoulder. “A month of Christmas—you and me, huh?”
“One magical month,” Mauve said.
“Will there be kissing in this magical month?”
“Not tonight.” She grinned. “With half the town watching from the windows of The Moose.”
“But maybe tomorrow?”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
She got into her car and he stood there like a fool, watching her pull out of the lot while having this urge to chase after her car like their old dog Mutt used to do when they were kids.
When he got back to Roan’s car, his brother didn’t say a word, but shot him a look in the rearview mirror.
“You okay?” Reese asked Jason, turning to look at him.
“I don’t know,” Jason said honestly. “I don’t know if I ever will be again.”
“Mauve has that effect on a person,” Reese said. “You two better be careful or you’ll fall in love and change your whole lives just to be together.”