Page 20 of A Mistletoe Mix Up
I nudge his arm and lower my voice. “How did your meeting with the captain go today?” I take a big bite of my slice.
He looks around, rubbing the back of his neck.
I grab another slice and tilt my head toward the back of the bookstore. Grayson follows behind me, and we enter Jane’s office, which is more chaotic than usual. Not that I mind, but it’s so very unlike Jane. I push a few papers aside and set my plate down on her desk.
“Are you okay? You seem…nervous. Did the meeting not go well?”
He hesitates, playing with the crust of his pizza slice. “Actually, it went better than I expected.”
“Really?” I ask, my eyebrows shooting up. His statement contradicts his demeanor. “That’s great, isn’t it?”
He looks around the office, avoiding my gaze. “Yeah, it is…”
“Well, you don’t seem thrilled. So what’s wrong?”
“Well, Captain said I’ve done a great job here. That I’ve got great potential.” He pauses, taking a deep breath. “More potential than this small town.”
My heart sinks a little at his words. “Does that mean…are you thinking of leaving Oakridge Hollow?”
He doesn’t respond immediately. I always thought I would leave town, not Gray. He’s like the walking billboard for the ideal small-town guy, even though he didn’t grow up here. Charming, loyal, cares for everyone, outstanding citizen, and none of that is because he’s a police officer.
“It’s a great opportunity for growth. But this is my home, and then there’s Gramps…and you.”
He meets my eyes now, and I can see the war of emotions in them.
Wait, me?
Well, duh. We’re friends. He wouldn’t want to leave his friends.
“Is that what you want to do? To leave?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. It’s a great opportunity that’s hard to ignore. I came here because I wanted different experiences to grow, but I also can’t imagine leaving.”
I try to sound as enthusiastic as possible, even though the thought of him leaving saddens me. More than saddens me, it’s causing a pit in my stomach.
“No matter where you go, you’ll do great things.” I reach out, placing a hand on his arm. I try to keep my voice as even as possible and ignore the wave of emotions passing over me. “You have to do what’s best for you and your future. You’ll figure it out.”
I take a bite of pizza, which tastes like cardboard now. Ugh, this pit in my stomach can’t even let me enjoy one of my favorite food groups. I can’t. I have to get out of here.
“I should get back out there before Jane thinks I’m avoiding work.” I get up from the chair, toss my pizza in the trash, and give a weak smile before I walk out.
As I reach the doorway, Grayson stands, grabbing my hand. “Thanks, Bookworm.”
He pulls me into a hug, and I resist letting the tears welling up in my eyes flow. I stuff them back down, deep, deep down. When he lets go, I look up at him and muster the best “I support you” smile.
But all I can think about is him leaving me here. Alone. If he does leave, I will too. I won’t stay in this town a minute without him. I don’t know where I’ll go, but I’ll go back to my nomadic roots. That’s where I belong anyway. It’s where I’ve always belonged.
“There you two are!” Jane and Nonna appear in the hall.
“We were just coming out,” I say.
Jane points above my head. “Guess that’s where Andrew put it.”
Nonna chuckles beside her. I look up to see that Grayson and I are standing beneath mistletoe.
“Wow, Andrew really wants to sneak in some extra smooches, huh?” I nervously chuckle.
Who says smooches anymore?Gosh, I can’t handle these feelings; they’re making me say weird things. I need to get back to work.
