Page 31 of Acting Merry
I’m every bit as confused when, halfway through the movie, Cole holds my hand.
Under the blanket.
I’m still analyzing what to do with it when he pulls out our hands and puts them on top of the blanket. Where everyone can see.
This is exactly what Laney meant—I need to chill out and stop thinking so much.
Halfway through the movie, Hannah brings out a container of peppermint Joe-Joe’s, inciting a bustle of movement as people get their sugar fix.
As the story starts to wind down, I feel a weird sense of sadness. Today—a day I was dreading for weeks—has been fun.Reallyfun.
I’m so caught up wondering if Cole would allow me a takeback on my answer about staying the night that I’m barely aware of the movie.
I steal a glance at Cole out of the corner of my eye, like I might be able to see how serious he was about staying—whether he actually wants to or if it was just a nice offer for my sake.
His eyes are brimming, and it makes my breath catch.
It’s worlds away from his usual twinkling charm.
“Are you okay?” I whisper.
He blinks and resituates himself. “What? Yeah, of course. Just sad the peppermint bark is gone.” He winks.
I laugh, but I’m sure I didn’t imagine it this time—orthe time before.
Is Cole a movie crier? Maybe he gets choked up at laundry detergent commercials, in which case,Home Alonemust be like tear gas.
Before I’m ready for it, the movie ends, the lights come on, and it’s time to go.
“You’re not really leaving, are you?” Hannah says, the last two words garbled through a yawn.
“We are,” I confirm. “Which means you’re not allowed to do anything fun from this point forward, okay?”
Tyler salutes. “It was good to meet you, Cole. If I had a stamp of approval, I’d smack it on your forehead right now.”
“Gently,” Hannah clarifies.
“But firmly,” Tyler amends. “Hope to see you here next year. Don’t screw it up.”
Hannah smacks her husband’s arm.
“I’ll do my best,” Cole says, “but if I’m not here, it’s because Reese kicked me to the curb.”
“Pfft,” I say.
We get our coats, and everyone walks us to the door, which Tyler opens for us.
An icy gust of wind blows through, freezing the air in my lungs. It’s been so warm and cozy inside and so dark outside the windows, I kind of forgot we’re up in the mountains.
Cole and I step onto the porch, and I shiver as we wave goodbye to everyone.
The door shuts, and I zip up my coat to protect my body from the gusts of wind, but every inhale feels like it's making my lungs into blocks of ice. “It was so warm earlier.” My teeth chatter, making the sentence hard to understand.
I glance back at the cabin and note how the icicles thatwere dripping into oblivion when we arrived have grown long and dagger-like.
And then I’m flat on my back, my butt and elbow shooting with pain.
“Are you okay?” Cole asks. He’s also on his back, wincing as he raises himself on his elbow and turns his body toward me.
