Page 92 of Playful Kris

“Hey,” that deep voice says from the other side and my stomach drops.

Shit. No. No. No.

“Kris?” I ask, feeling myself flush. I’m still looking at Damon, and he frowns over at me before looking at the road.

This trip has really gone quickly, maybe he knew a shortcut that I didn’t because we’re driving through the wooden frame that holds the Christmas Tree farm name.

“Uh, yeah?” He sounds unsure, and I am freaking the fuck out on the inside.

“Sorry, I didn’t look at the caller ID before answering.” I change my tone, feeling equally stupid for answering his call and suddenly drawn to the sound of his voice on the other side.

Why am I like this?

“I, uh, wanted to call to, um…”

We pull the truck up to the front of the store.

The rolling land is beautiful, with rows of Christmas trees lining the fields. All different sizes of the gorgeous dark green pine. A large house sits at the top of the hill, overlooking all the trees and I find myself wondering for a minute what it must be like to live here. To have that view every day when you wake up.

The storefront is small, the wooden theme outside seems fitting for all that this place is.

The doors are propped open despite the chill in the air, Tennessee weather is wild these days. It’s warm enough to go with a jacket on sunny days, but you could freeze your ass off at night.

Damon shifts his car into park, and turns to look at me.

“Listen, Kris,” I pause, really trying to not stutter, “I’m kind of in the middle of something with Damon. Can I call you back?”

I hear something that sounds like a growl on the other end before he says, “Yeah, sure.”

And he hangs up.

Why is my life like this?

37

KRIS

I’ve not talked to Kameron or even attempted since the time I called her and she was with Damon.

She never called back after whatever she was doing, and I was too hurt to call a second time.

I figured everything I want to say would be better said face to face instead.

And today happens to be the perfect day, since it’s the day before the Bazaar.

The way Cora talked, it’s basically a run through of the day. Everyone will be setting up, getting the last minute things finished. Tons of volunteers will be there to help, and hopefully this day will make tomorrow run much smoother.

I drive into Birchwood, thinking of Kameron the second I see the town sign come into view.

I’m nervous to see her, it’s been a month since the wedding, and I still don’t really have a plan of what to do or what to say.

What if she refuses to see me? What if she kicks me out of town?

She can’t do that, can she?

I pull up to the small town square, parking my truck along one side of it. They have most of it taped off, and traffic is being directed another way to bypass it. The court house that sits in the center of the square is decorated with deep greens and bright reds, the columns are wrapped in garland with large ornaments hanging. All the businesses have their own trees sitting outside the door, fully decorated. Poinsettias decorate the street, along with the light posts all decorated with garland as well.

It’s the epitome of a small town Christmas.

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