Page 53 of The Christmas Dash

“I just feel like I should apologize or something. Clear the air.”

Dang it. That makes me like her even more. Gabe will probably like her too, and they’ll probably hit it off, and fall in love, and she’ll move to Nashburg and get a marketing job there, and—

The door swings open and there he is, grinning. His eyes dart around until they land on me, and then his smile widens and his dimple winks at me. He’s got his arm around Elena, who balances against him and beams at us.

Seeing Gabe steals my breath to the point where I miss the opening line of “Joy to the World.”

Patrice leads us through our three songs, and when we end with our predetermined jazz hands, Elena claps and Gabe whistles.

“Oh, this was just wonderful! Put me right in the spirit of the season,” Elena gushes. “Can’t wait to be back out there with you ladies next year.”

“You keep resting up.” Patrice gives Elena a hug.

Elena leans back. “Oh! I almost forgot. Libations! Gaber.”

Gabe disappears and returns with a tray full of mugs. “Hot cocoa for everyone. I made my favorite recipe.”

The ladies cheer and greedily step forward to claim a warm drink.

Lola and I hang back.

“Gorgeous, has a homemade cocoa recipe, and he takes care of his mom? What a keeper,” Lola mutters under her breath before she leaves my side and gets in line.

I consider her words. They bump against this idea I’ve held of Gabe since he left me for Hidden Gems. It was easier on my heart to think of him as cruel instead of kind—to assume he was abandoning me and this town instead of holding space for him to follow his dream.

Being back in his presence the past week has made it harder to keep those rigid assumptions.

That doesn’t change that his life is a life of fame and the consequences that come with it. The uncertainty that comes with it. Sure, he’s here now, but what about when he’s on the road? Then what?

Lola takes a mug and says something to Gabe I can’t hear. He smiles at her and they chat easily. I tamp down a surge of jealousy that bubbles up and invades the back of my throat like the sour taste of spoiled eggnog. I hurry forward and quickly grab a mug of cocoa, avoiding eye contact. I hear Gabe say, “Don’t worry another second about it. I wish everyone was like you.”

I turn and focus on Elena, who’s chatting with Patrice. I answer their questions about the Dash and about tomorrow’s wreath-making night. They both have tickets.

“We should be going if we’re going to finish our last two houses, ladies,” Marilyn says.

Patrice straightens. “She’s right. Let’s be off.”

She hugs Elena, and I do the same, making an active effort not to observe how Gabe and Lola part.

As the rest of the choir ladies say their goodbyes, I head back for the sidewalk and wait. Lola joins me a moment later.

“He’s so nice,” she sighs.

I swallow back another wave of envy. Green is not my color.

I look back to the house, and Gabe’s staring straight at me. I lift my hand in a wave, which he returns.

“Yeah.” I swallow. “I guess he is.”

Chapter 16

Gabe

I can’t believe I said yes to this, but it’s nearly impossible for me to deny my mom anything.

That, and Beth was acting weird when she was caroling yesterday, and the thought of things being off with her after we just reestablished some semblance of friendship was like a sliver in my thumb. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong—I could barely work today. I need to see her.

So here I am, at the bookstore.