Page 80 of Offside for Christmas
She turned, her smile brightening when she saw him. "Hey yourself. You were amazing with those kids."
"They're easier than adults. Less judgment. More enthusiasm."
"You looked happy."
"I was." He moved a little closer, wishing he could touch her, pull her in, kiss her the way he wanted to. "I am."
"Good."
They stood there in awkward silence, the space between them charged with everything they couldn't say or do in public.
"Want to get out of here?" Cole asked quietly.
Ellie hesitated, glancing toward the rink. "I can't. The game starts in a few hours, and I need to stay for the tree lighting… and help with cleanup."
Cole’s lips curved into a mischievous half-smile. "We go to the game first, then I come back here and help you clean up."
"Cole, you don't have to—"
"I want to." He held her gaze. "Let me help."
Something soft crossed her face. "Okay. Thank you."
"Anything for you," he said, and meant it.
At 5:30 PM, the mayor climbed onto the small stage near the tree, adjusting his slightly crooked tie and tapping the microphone with a practiced hand. His round face was flushed from the winter chill, and a pair of wire-rimmed glasses slid down his nose as he smiled at the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, families and friends, welcome to Evergreen Cove's annual Christmas Festival!"
The crowd cheered. Ellie was near the front with the other committee members, making sure everything was ready for the lighting sequence. Cole was somewhere in the crowd—she'd lost track of him in the chaos.
"Before we light our beautiful tree," the mayor continued, "I want to thank everyone who made this possible. Our planning committee, our volunteers, our local businesses, and our wonderful Eagles hockey team for their participation tonight!"
More cheers. Ellie spotted Mac waving enthusiastically from near the booth.
“And don’t forget, the game starts at 8! Go Eagles!” He cleared his throat. "Now, are we ready to light this tree?"
"YES!" the crowd roared.
"Then let's count down together! Ten!"
"NINE!" the crowd shouted.
Ellie looked around, caught up in the magic of it—the faces of families, couples holding hands, children bouncing with excitement. This was why she did this. Why she volunteered,why she organized, why she cared so much about making Christmas perfect for her town.
"EIGHT! SEVEN!"
She felt someone moving through the crowd near her.
"SIX! FIVE!"
Cole appeared at her side, and her breath caught.
"FOUR! THREE!"
He was looking at her like she was the only person in the entire square.
"TWO!"
