Page 24 of Fake It Till We Fall
“True. But sometimes the best things are worth waiting for, right, Gray?”
“You’re not wrong, man.”
But he was wrong about it being just like high school. Not when I’d never been more aware of Harper as a woman, instead of the girl I used to sneak under the bleachers with. And when we were eighteen, it felt like we had our whole lives ahead of us. Lives that included each other. And now…
I shook the negative feelings away and squeezed Harper a little closer to me, eager to take advantage of the situation as long as I could. “Are you guys enjoying the festival this year? The tree lighting will be?—”
“There you are!” Tilley Beckett appeared out of nowhere, her red scarf trailing behind her and clipboard in hand. She zeroed in on Harper. “We’re short-handed at the cookie decorating station, and I can’t think of anyone better to take over.”
“I’m not really a baker, Tilley.”
“Why does that matter?” Tilley waved her mittened hand. “The cookies are already baked. You only need to manage a little icing and some sprinkles. Besides, who better to teach the kids some skills than our very own world-class chef?”
Harper shot me a look over her shoulder as she was led away, her eyes a mix of amusement and panic.
I couldn’t help it; I laughed. “I’ll come find you for the tree lighting,” I told her, even as the disappointment settled in my chest. Tilley Beckett always did have a way of interrupting at the most inopportune time.
Harper
The cookie decoratingstation was total madness, in the best possible way. The table was covered in paper, with bowls of sprinkles scattered everywhere. Kids were squishing bags of icing all over the place. A few even managed to get some of the icing on the cookies.
Craig Carlson stood next to me, holding a cookie that was so overloaded with gumdrops that it was in danger of breaking in half. His daughter, Meri, grinned up at him as she dumped a handful of green sprinkles on top.
“I don’t think it can handle much more, kiddo.”
“Yes, it can, Daddy.” She gave her father a look and poured more sprinkles on top, making me laugh.
“She’s just like you,” I told my old friend. Charli and I had been close in school, but her little brother Craig had always been around, too.
“Because she’s so charming?” He laughed.
“Obviously.” I grinned. “But I remember you at that age. You had such a sweet tooth.”
“Still do,” Craig said. “That’s why I opened the Sugar Shack. Now I get to be surrounded by ice cream and candy all day long.”
“That’s right. Congratulations on that.” Grandma had kept me updated with the happenings of Trickle Creek. “It’s perfect for you. And congratulations on your marriage and new baby, too.”
He beamed. “Thanks, Harper. It’s been pretty incredible. Life in Trickle Creek is pretty amazing.”
I nodded, but the smile on my face dipped a little.
I couldn’t deny that all my old friends from school did seem to be living their best lives in the town I couldn’t wait to escape. But I had dreams that were too big for Trickle Creek.
At least they used to be.
Before I could say anything more, a familiar voice floated through the air toward us.
“There’s my girl.”
I turned to see Grandma making her way through the crowd, bundled in her thick winter coat and a wool hat she’d knitted herself pulled low over her ears. She looked good. Rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and a wide smile.
“Grandma.” I reached for her hand as she reached me. “I’m so glad you’re feeling well enough to come out tonight.”
“Are you kidding? I would never miss this. It’s my favorite night of the year.” She squeezed my fingers. “Isn’t it beautiful, all lit up like this? You always loved this night when you were a girl.”
“Hi, Willa.” Craig leaned over and kissed Grandma on the cheek. “It’s always nice to see you.”
“And you,” she said before leaning down to boop the pom-pom on the top of Meri’s toque. “And you, too, of course, Meri.”
