Page 75 of Clued in to Love
William leaned over and whispered. “How are you doing? You seem quiet.”
“Nope. Just waiting for the parade to start so we can find the clue.”
At that moment, the parade began with a resounding fanfare, heralding the arrival of the first marching band.
The crowd cheered as the vibrant uniforms, hats adorned with snowy plumes, and shiny instruments came into sight.
“You’re always on a mission.” He reached down to his feet and held up a thermos. “Peppermint hot chocolate? I brought along some peppermint schnapps if you want it spiked.”
“I’m fine.” Marissa clapped along with the lively melody.
“You’re shivering even under your blanket.” William unzipped a backpack and offered her a set of hand warmers. These were battery-powered hand warmers, not the cheap plastic, one-use-and-toss-them-away kind. Marissa had seen a similar set in a high-end home goods magazine (which she subscribed to for inspiration for Yes, Cheese). The rechargeable hand warmers were way out of her price range, just like everything else. “Here, use these.”
Parker interrupted them. “Ohhhh, how are you liking that model? I bought a set of the newest in that line, and they have such a nicer feel on the hands.”
“I don’t know.” William shrugged. “I’ve never paid attention to how they feel on my hands other than keeping them warm.”
Marissa chuckled.
Parker shot her a nasty look before giving William a coy smile and pressing her gloved hand on his arm. “Wills, you are too funny.”
He caught Marissa’s eye and made a face.
What was the deal with them?
Maybe they used to date and had recently broken up?
It was obvious that Parker was into him, but she couldn’t get a read on William’s feelings. Half the time, he seemed as annoyed with Parker as Marissa, but then again, he had invited her tonight, and she had been the first person he suggested going to see when they were trying to solve the fourth clue.
Stop it, Marissa chided herself.
Fortunately, the parade was in full swing, giving her a perfect excuse to ignore both of them. If she had been here with William under different circumstances, the crisp, starry night sky and dazzling light show of holiday floats might have been romantic. But William wasn’t interested in her, and she was here for a single purpose.
Colorful floats transformed into holiday masterpieces, followed by the marching band. Elaborate scenes depicted winter wonderlands, and childhood stories come to life on the moving floats. Twice, she caught Parker staring at her, and each time, Parker would lean closer to William and shoot Marissa a triumphant grin as if to signal she knew she was winning a contest that Marissa didn’t want any part of.
She watched each parade entry, hoping the clue would stand out. She wasn’t sure what she was looking for, which meant by the time five floats and three bands had passed, she was starting to get a headache from squinting so hard.
“Anything?” William asked when there was a lag between horseback riders decked out in holiday jingle bells and a troupe of dancing elves.
“Nothing. What about you?”
Next, snowmen, elves, and gingerbread people strolled along the route, extending warm greetings with every wave and handing out candy to eager children who smooshed together on the snowy curbs.
He shook his head and refilled his hot chocolate. “Are you sure you don’t want some?”
“No, I’m fine.” Marissa’s eyes didn’t move from the street. She had also studied the bank and the buildings adjacent to it, in case a clue was hiding in plain sight.
It wasn’t.
“We must be halfway through,” William noted. “You don’t think we’re supposed to grab candy canes like the kids?”
Marissa shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. I guess it’s worth a shot.” She started to get up.
“No, you stay there. You’re all warm and cute and cozy under your blankets.”
Cute?
Marissa’s cheeks flamed.
