Page 139 of Light My Fire Three Times
“Alright, alright.” Olivia sighs, but she’s smiling, the corners of her mouth lifting just enough to make my heart do something strange. “Give me a second to get ready, I guess.”
“No rush. Just get your coat, and don’t forget your hat. It’s freezing out here,” I say.
She disappears inside, leaving us standing in the cold, a feeling of anticipation settling in my stomach.
“You good?” I ask, noticing the way Karl's smile fades, if only slightly.
“Yeah. Just… want today to be right. You know?”
I glance at him. “I know.”
The door swings open again, and Olivia steps out, her cheeks flushed from the warmth inside. She’s bundled up, her scarf wrapped tight around her neck, a large bag slung over hershoulder, but there’s a look in her eyes that makes the cold feel miles away.
“Alright,” she says, a little breathless. “Let’s go. What’s the big surprise?”
I smile. “Patience.”
Karl leans in, grinning ear to ear. “Don’t worry, Liv. We’re just getting started.”
We pile into the truck and head back to Jesse’s cabin, the truck bouncing a little over the snow-packed roads.
The heat is cranked up inside, and for a moment, I let myself sink into the quiet comfort of the ride, the weight of the morning lifting.
“You guys are really gonna make me wait for this surprise, huh?” she teases, leaning her head back against the seat. “I was expecting a quiet Christmas Day alone.”
“No way,” I chuckle. “This is your first Christmas in this town, with us. It needs to be epic.”
“Oh, the suspense is real,” she says, shaking her head. “You’ve got me thinking we’re headed to the North Pole or something.”
“Erm… just Jesse’s cabin.”
I expect her face to fall, but if anything, she looks even more excited. “Oh, really? Is Jesse cooking? This should be… interesting.”
After we stop, we pile out of the truck, and Olivia stops short, her eyes flicking from the house to us. “I can’t believe you’d do this for me.”
I open the door for her, and as she steps inside, the smell hits her first: cinnamon rolls, bacon, and fresh-brewed coffee.
Olivia freezes for a moment, her eyes going wide. “Oh my, this smells delicious.”
Jesse is standing near the kitchen, his hands full of plates. He looks genuinely pleased with himself, wearing a proud grin.
The kitchen is a little chaotic, but there’s a sense of pride in the air. Everything’s been done with purpose—even the slightly burnt bacon.
Olivia looks around, taking in the spread: perfectly stacked pancakes, eggs just the right shade of yellow, fresh fruit, a dozen cinnamon rolls, and a pot of coffee that smells of heaven. “I’m impressed.”
Olivia’s eyes flick from the decorations. Half sagging garlands, an awkwardly tilted tree, and lights strung with all the care of a toddler on a sugar rush, back to Jesse, who’s standing proudly in the kitchen, showing off his masterpiece.
She smirks, shaking her head. “The decor’s… certainly one of a kind. Looks like a holiday explosion in here.”
Jesse, despite the teasing, just grins and gives a little shrug. “I may not be an interior designer, but hey, I’m no monster.”
Karl immediately jumps in, “I’d say it’s definitely… an acquired taste. You could sell tickets for a tour.”
Olivia raises an eyebrow, clearly trying to suppress her laughter. “I think a few design shows might want to get their hands on this… but it’s charming in its own way.”
“We can fix it later,” I say with a smile. “For now, let’s focus on the food. Jesse went all out.”
At the mention of food, Olivia’s eyes light up again, her gaze traveling over the spread, like a kid in a candy store. She wastes no time in taking a seat at the table, giving the bacon a careful eye before scooping a few onto her plate.
