Page 99 of Red Hot Roaster

The place was packed—literally standing room only—and Jen and her twins were holding the mic, leading the last round of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Adam was behind his keyboard, clipboard in hand, ready to call the names of the next people signed up for Karaoke Karoling.

With an “Oh, nobody will notice you,” Lauren dragged me through the side door into the café and headed to the front corner. Erik and his wife jumped up from a table just as we arrived, and we were lucky enough to snare their spots. I didn’t feel guilty, not one bit. It’d occurred to me on the way over that I wasn’t looking my best—so we could hide out in the corner.

Still, I was glad to be here for one of Mom’s favorite holiday traditions.

People stood crammed together in front of us, blocking the view. Then two sweet voices—Liliana and Ana?—started “White Christmas” amid general laughter. Soon they were leading the audience in the chorus, and everyone was singing at the top of their lungs.

The front door opened to my left, letting in a swoosh of chilly air. Pete and his family hurried in, all bundled up against the cold. He saw me and gave a big smile and thumbs-up.So happy for him that he can spend the holidays with his grandkids.He led them toward the front counter and all that hot-chocolate-and-marshmallow goodness.

Finn and a couple of the kids on our crew were weaving through the crowd, delivering food, drinks and treats to the tables. I gave a little wave, but I didn’t think they saw us. Mateo must’ve been going crazy behind the counter, but he’d laughed when I called earlier to offer to come in to work. “Thanks, Rosita, but we’re all good here.”

I was leaning close to Lauren to shout, “This is the biggest turnouteverin the history of Karaoke Karoling” when Adam tapped the mic. The crowd hushed instantly. Even the kiddos were quiet, except for Liam’s Meggie, who squealed, “What’s going on, Daddy?”

That started a wave of laughter, but soon Adam got everyone’s attention again. “We have a late sign-up for our event tonight, and”—there were muffled sounds like he’d covered the mic and was talking with someone—“and apparently, the mic and my keyboard backup are surplus to requirements.”

He added, “Let me warn you, folks—this is not your typical Christmas carol. I think you’ll agree, though, that the opening line fits the season perfectly.”

The hush again, and then—Wise men say...

I recognized the first words of “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” sounding in a deep baritone from the hallway to the roastery.

I surged up, knocking my chair back. Trying to see over the heads of everyone standing in my way. I flicked my eyes down to Lauren, and she widened hers in return. No help there.

The strong voice continued the song alone, no backup required or wanted.

I strained on my tiptoes, craning my neck to look. Sure seemed like the singer was getting closer. I started to push forward, and—miracle—the crowd parted, making a path.

Rafe at one end, moving this way. Me at the other end, standing frozen now.

He reached me, held out his hand and sang the ending lines about a love fated-to-be.

Notquitethe ending though. Because I took his hand, and we sang that very last line, again, together.

Another miracle unfolded—or maybe just some help from family and friends. The crowd, still quiet, closed and parted again, creating a path to where my son was pulling the side door open.

Rafe brought his other hand up to cup my chin, leaning down to touch his lips to mine. We smiled into each other’s eyes for a long moment and turned to walk down the path. When we got to the door, he looked outside at the snow drifting over the sidewalk and down at my feet. My slipper-covered-not-ready-for-winter-weather feet.

“Rose. Babe,” he growled and shook his head. A second later, I was caught up in his arms, and we headed toward home.

The crowd in the café made noise now, clapping and cheering and singing as the door closed behind us.

Chapter 51

Rafe

Rose was light in my arms, even lighter than before, it seemed.Had she been getting enough to eat since I left?

I gripped her closer as I navigated the now slick-as-shit sidewalk. She wrapped her arms around my neck and rubbed her warm cheek against my cold one, humming the chorus again and again.

“Oh!” Rose interrupted herself when we were partway up the steps to her front porch. She was gawking over my shoulder, and I used the moment to bury my face in her hair.Yeah, still smelling like flowers, like roses. Like Rose.

“When did you park your pickup in the driveway? It wasn’t there when we left.”

And, “Is Princess here too?”

Finally, “Are you both here to stay?”

By this time, the loonballs were barking up a storm and throwing themselves against the other side of the door. I let Rose slide down my body—so soft where I was hard—and looked her in the eye.

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