Page 4 of A Not So Merry Kiss-mas
Who am I kidding? She’s just adorable—grumpiness and all.
“This woman’s going to be the death of me,” I murmur, grabbing a cup for my own coffee. A flicker of hope flaring at what her smoothing down her hair might mean.
Melanie’s a challenge, her vulnerability lurking right under the surface, pulling me in like a moth to a flame.
My grin widens, thinking of her indifference. If not for Mrs. F’s encouragement and that hair-smoothing tell, I may have stopped trying.
Shrugging, I sip the coffee, my brows shoot up, surprised by the warm mixture of clove and nutmeg.
“Well, I’ll be darned,” I mutter, flabbergasted, raising my mug toward the apartment next to me in silent salute, the corner of my mouth lifting.
My pocket vibrates, and I assume it’s Mrs. F texting to congratulate me on a successful encounter. When it vibrates again, I pull it from my pocket to see my best friend calling.
“Cole! Are you on your way back to town yet?”
Cole is away at school playing baseball, and in a few years, he’s going to be on a major league team. He’s a fantastic pitcher, so good he could’ve had his choice of colleges anywhere in the country. Instead, he chose a state school a few hours north.
I, on the other hand, knew I wanted to be a firefighter in my hometown just like my dad was. I love it, and wouldn’t change the path I’ve chosen, but I miss my closest friend. I’m excited to be seeing him and his girlfriend, Noelle.
“Not yet. I’m trying to put off seeing my dad for as long as possible.” Cole’s relationship with his father is rocky. Unlike my dad, who loved me regardless, Cole’s father seems to base his importance on Cole’s success in baseball. “But Noelle and I should be heading down tomorrow so I can help with the party decorations. Definitely stop by if you’re not working.”
Every year, the Nicholses have a huge holiday party, and there isn’t one person in town who isn’t invited. Which means that Cole’s dad has little time to overly focus on things he thinks Cole needs to work on to make it to the big leagues.
“Hey Mike,” Noelle’s voice joins Cole’s, and I snort, a smile tugging at my lips. I should’ve known I’d be on speaker. The two of them are connected at the hip.
“Hey, Noelle. How are you? Excited about coming to town?”
“So excited. I can’t wait to see the tree in Cedar Vale!”
“She’s been reading up on the history of how a tree is picked from one of the local farms.” My grin broadens as I hear the adoration in Cole’s voice. He’s completely smitten, and it’s only a matter of time before he pops the question.
“It really is fascinating.” Noelle giggles. “And Iamexcited about the tree lighting. But more than that, I can’t wait to introduce you to Mel!”
Mel is Noelle’s best friend, the one who lives a few towns over and apparently would be ‘perfect’ for me. “I think the two of you will really hit it off!”
I pinch my nose and huff out a sigh as Melanie’s blazing green eyes cross my thoughts. “Sure,” I say unconvincingly.
“Don’t tell me,” Cole needles, and I groan. He knows me too well. “You have a thing for your curmudgeonly neighbor?”
“Nooo.” I roll my eyes, and Cole scoffs.
“Who?” Noelle asks.
“Mike has a crush on his neighbor.”
“I do not!” I protest, only to have Cole and Noelle both laugh at me.
“But she doesn’t like him,” Cole continues, ignoring my denial like it didn’t happen. “Which is not normal. Everyone likes Mike.”
“Everyone except her.” My stomach dips, and I rub the back of my neck in an attempt to loosen the tightness forming. Today’s interaction felt like a tiny win, but what if it’s just wishful thinking?
“Aww, poor Mike,” Noelle coos, pulling me back from my thoughts. “How could someone not like him?” My mouth falls open as I listen to the two of them have a conversation about my love life as if I’m not on the phone, hearing everything they say.
I shake my head and huff out a snort. “Are you two done talking about me like I’m not here?”
“Sorry,” they say in unison, only to follow it with a chuckle.
A wry smirk crosses my mouth. I want what they have. What my parents had. I stare at the wall separating me from the woman in the other apartment, a heavy ache in my chest.
