Page 93 of The Holiday Grump
I couldn’t have cared less. I wanted to kiss her, not watch other people do what I couldn’t.
“You’re right! I’ll look it up.”
She was genuinely excited about the town gossip rag.
“Look!” She pointed at something moving behind a porta-potty.
It was Skippy. He didn’t usually join outdoor events unless it was nice and warm. But here he was, watching the tree lighting. Noelle pulled us closer to pet the dog, and we found a better view of the wharf. Larry theLobstahand Santa were approaching the vaguely Christmas-tree-shaped construction of lobster traps wrapped in ropes and Christmas lights. Another lobster sat at the top—that one a lot less lively than one containing Ralph, who soon tripped over in his ill-fitting costume, breaking his fall with his foam claws. Santa nearly went down as well but corrected at the last minute and landed next to the lobster trap tree. Everyone cheered.
I snuck glances at Noelle, drinking in her excitement. I hadn’t felt an ounce of it for so long. I couldn’t feel it over two grown men in homemade costumes or a pile of fishing gear wrapped with string lights. But when Noelle’s face lit up like a Christmas tree, I felt that. I feltherexcitement, and my mood shifted. I wasn’t here to pretend I was okay. I was here for her, and that was enough.
As the festivities fizzled out, darkness had fallen. The wind had a salty bite to it, but it seemed most people were not quite ready to return home. Many headed to the bars and restaurants along the wharf or grabbed hot drinks to stay warm. Christmas music still played in the background, and spirits were high. We followed Felicity to the nearest stand selling hot buttered rum and took our place in the line.
“You must try this. It’s divine!” she told Noelle.
I didn’t even notice Ralph until a huge foam claw landed on my shoulder.
“Oh, sorry!” He pivoted and whacked Jackson with the other one.
He adjusted the claws and grinned at Noelle. “You ready?”
“Are you?” she asked. “You don’t want to change first?”
He’d ditched the lobster head, but the claws and long tail were still attached.
Ralph shook his head. “Nah, I’m good. I’ll take the claws off when we get inside.”
Kailee gave them both a sharp look. “Everyone’s going to know you guys are faking.”
“Shh! Don’t announce it,” Ralph hissed back. “This is my one chance. I don’t have the looks or the bank account”—heshot a side-eye at Jackson and me—“but tonight, I’m Larry theLobstah, and I have a hot date. Unless you’re about to cancel on me. In that case, I might just… spread the word about you-know-what.” His eyebrows wiggled.
Noelle scanned our group. “Pretty sure all of these guys already know. Jackson?”
“Know what?” Jackson mumbled, not looking up from his phone.
“You know about me and Noelle,” I said flatly.
He nodded, briefly glancing up from his screen.
“How do you even have service?” Felicity demanded. “Mine’s been garbage all day.”
Jackson smirked. “Want a hotspot? Step closer to the heat.” He spread his arms.
She glared. “Does that actually work on anyone?”
“You’d be surprised.”
I ignored them, stepping between Noelle and Ralph. “I don’t appreciate blackmail. And what’s your evidence, exactly? You heard a rumor. Doesn’t make it true.”
Ralph leaned in, looking smug. “Well… I was walking past the bookstore on Sunday night. Ran out of gas. Turns out there’s a leak in my tank. Anyway, I saw movement in the window…”
“No!” Noelle groaned.
Kailee and Felicity leaned closer.
“You two hooked up in the bookstore?” Felicity gaped at me.
Jackson finally put his phone away. “Wait, what?”
