Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 67492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
I glance up and expect a scowl from my grumpy doctor, but I’m surprised to see the corner of his mouth tilted in a smile. “Sure thing, bud. You know, I think Blakely should take one with us.”
“Oh, she is,” my mom chimes in. “I’m dragging all three of my kids up there.”
Abe’s eyes widen. He looks up at Beckham. “Are you sitting on Santa’s lap too?”
“You know it, little man.” Beckham holds his fist out for him to bump, and Abe wastes no time bumping knuckles with my little brother. Then he looks over at his coach. “Hey, Coach,” he says, and Brad nods his greeting.
Everyone makes small talk as the line moves forward. Finally, it’s Abe and Carrie’s turn. They both do amazing. Carrie isn’t sure at first, but when Abe reaches over and takes her hand, she smiles and calms down. Brad and Marisa, and even Oliver, join in, and then it’s Abe and Oliver’s turn.
“Blakely.” Oliver waves to me.
I step forward and kneel next to Abe, who is perched on Santa’s knee. The elf takes the picture. Then Abe says, “Now you two!” He runs off, and I turn back to the camera and smile.
Oliver winks as he steps to the side, and my siblings move in for our picture. Mom and Dad join us for one, and then Isla and I get ours. By the time we leave, we’ve all spent way too much money on pictures with Santa, but I’m smiling. We’re all smiling, even my grumpy doctor.
“We’re going to grab some hot cocoa before the lighting ceremony. Are you all staying?” Mom asks.
“What’s that?” Abe asks.
“They’re going to turn on the lights on that big Christmas tree,” Mom explains, pointing out the tree.
“Oh!” Abe’s eyes grow wide. “Can we?” He turns toward his parents.
“You good with staying?” Brad asks Oliver.
I can’t help it; my eyes go to him, only to find him watching me. “Yeah, I’m good to stay.”
My chest feels warm at the soft look in his eyes and his willingness to be here. He said he would let me bring Christmas back into his life, and he’s holding up his end of the deal.
“Right,” Dad says, snapping me back to the moment. “We better get to it. The sun is starting to set.” He gives Oliver the side-eye but doesn’t say anything else. I’m certain I’ll be getting a phone call with lots of questions. He’s not used to seeing me with anyone. Not that we’re together, but he knows he’s not just a friend. I can tell that from the look in his eyes and the furrow of his brow.
Our group, bigger now, moves down the block to grab hot cocoa. Marisa hangs back with Carrie on her hip. Isla notices and moves up, placing her arm over Brooklyn’s shoulders, giving us some space. We’re at the tail end of our group.
“I guess we have you to thank for him wanting to be here?” Marisa asks.
“I’m not sure. I did mention it to him.” This morning as I rode his lap like a cowgirl.
“Thank you. He’s been so distant the last few years. Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.” She winks.
I laugh. Oliver stops and turns to look at me, and my dad almost runs into him. Oliver gives me a small smile and apologizes to my dad for almost causing a pileup of people on the sidewalk before scooping Abe up into his arms and leading the pack toward the hot cocoa.
“So, it’s like that, huh?” Marisa laughs.
“Honestly, I don’t know. He’s…. It’s complicated.”
Marisa grins. “He can be, but he’s one of the best people I know. He’s a good man. He’s been through some stuff, and he needs someone good in his life.”
“He told me,” I admit.
Marisa’s eyes widen. “He did?” I nod. “He likes you. I can see it. Just don’t give up on him. He’s stubborn and needs someone who isn’t going to let him push them away.”
“He doesn’t want to be… anything. He’s told me that.”
“Those are just words, Blakely. He wants it. He’s just afraid to want it again. Once bitten and twice shy.”
“We’ll see how it goes,” I tell her as Carrie leans over, holding her arms out.
“Hey, sweet girl,” I tell her as I take her from her momma. She grins and touches my scarf. I carry her the rest of the way to the hot cocoa stand, and when Marisa tries to take her, she buries her arms tight to her body and rests her head on my shoulder. “She’s fine.” I smile at Marisa.
“Looks like you have a new friend.” Oliver’s deep voice sends a shiver down my spine. He hands me a hot cocoa.
“Thank you, and yeah, she’s my new bestie.”
“Hey!” Isla calls out as my dad hands her a hot cocoa. He eyes the drink in my hand and glares at Oliver but turns back to keep passing out drinks.