Page 24 of Cocoa Kisses
“More than sort of,” he agrees. “Confession: I don’t mind being fussed over. It’s been a minute.”
“They’re all glad you’re back,” I say. “Confession: me too, wonderboy.”
“Get out of here, weirdo. Get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll leave the café around 3:00 and swing by to get you,” I say. “That work?”
He nods. “It works.”
I drive away, and when I check my rearview mirror at the end of the street, he’s still standing on the sidewalk, his hands in his coat pockets, watching after me.
I shouldn’t be so excited about having to drive four hours north to go fetch reindeer. It means leaving my café during a busy season, having to put out Christmas Town fires via cell phone when and if I can get a signal, and spending hours pent up with Levi when it’s been awkward between us.
But as I park behind the café, I’m worried about how much I’m not worried about any of that, and how much I can’t wait for 3:00 tomorrow.
Chapter Eight
Taylor
Sarawalksintothecafé during the middle of the lunch shift the next day.
“Hey. You’re early.” Two hours early, almost.
“Yeah, so the storm’s moving fast, the moms are stressed, and I’ve been sent to tell you to get on the road now or Mom might chain herself to your car to keep you from leaving.”
“Wait, what?”
“Check your texts.” She nudges me gently from the register and pushes me toward my office as she smiles at the next customer in line.
I hustle to get my phone. I would have checked it as soon as we hit a lull. Usually, I haven’t missed anything besides Sara sometimes telling me she’s running a bit late, but I have about four missed calls from my mom and several texts.
I scroll through them. They start with my mom telling me that the storm is moving in faster than expected, followed by a couple more weather updates from her. Then there’s a text from Levi asking if we should leave earlier because my mom has come over at least six times to ask him that. Then there’s a text from Sara saying she’s coming in early so I can get on the road because Mom is driving her crazy. The last one is also from her, and it’s my favorite.
SARA:Also, I love you no matter what, but I extra love you for going to get these reindeer for Rome.
I call my mom first. “Hey, I got all the texts. I’ll leave now.”
“You will?” She sounds relieved.
“Well, twenty minutes. I need to change and come get Levi, but yes. Basically.”
“Oh, good, honey. This town doesn’t deserve you.”
“Hyperbole much?”
“Just the truth. Hurry over. I have more stuff for your road trip.”
I tell her I love her and hang up, not even trying to dissuade her from the extra stuff. Guilt niggles at me that she’s going to so much trouble, but I remind myself that it’s how she loves, and I decide to appreciate it instead.
I pop my head out long enough to tell Sara I’m leaving. She waves without looking at me, busily ringing up another order. “Drive safe!”
Fifteen minutes later, I’m pulling into my parents’ driveway dressed in my comfiest sweats. I honk, and Levi is out of his front door before I’m even out of my car. I pop the trunk for him, and he tosses a backpack in there.
“I packed light, but that’s impressive,” I tell him as he shuts the trunk.
“I’m a highly skilled packer,” he says. “You ready?”
My mom comes charging out of the house before I can answer, barely visible over a giant armload of stuff she’s carrying.
