Christmas in Full Bloom by Denise N. Wheatley

Author:Denise N. Wheatley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9781953647603
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2021-06-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Welp, this certainly isn’t what I imagined our first outing would look like,” Mel said as he and Lauren headed back to Tina’s house. “I was thinking something more along the lines of a hot chocolate tasting at Lillian’s Café, or an afternoon at the ice skating rink, or even a tour of the neighborhood Christmas decorations.”

“You know, it’s funny. I was thinking the exact same thing. But instead you’ll be tending to Cameron’s twisted ankle while I console his semi-hysterical bride-to-be.”

Mel shook his head, chuckling softly. “Exactly.”

Lauren sat back in her seat and stared out the window as Harry Connick Jr.’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” played softly in the background. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, grinning at the sight of twinkling snowflakes floating through the air.

She glanced over at Mel and gave him a sly smile. Without saying a word, Lauren rolled down the window, stuck her head out and opened her mouth, laughing as frozen crystals landed on her tongue.

“I’m so glad to see you having such a good time,” Mel said, watching her intently.

She slipped her head back inside the car and rolled the window up. “I really am. I seldom get these spontaneous moments of fun. And peace. So I’m just taking it all in. Maple Valley is definitely the polar opposite of Chicago. That city never seems to slow down.”

“No, it doesn’t. But I thought that’s what you wanted. A fast-paced, nonstop lifestyle.”

“Yeah, so did I…”

The pair fell silent as Mel pulled into Tina’s driveway. They slowly climbed out of the car and walked gingerly toward the porch.

“We should probably be in more of a hurry to get inside considering my best friend is, and I quote, in the worst pain of his life, huh?” Mel asked.

“We probably should,” Lauren replied without putting an ounce of pep in her step.

“I guess I’m just enjoying this rare moment when you and I get to spend some time alone together.”

“Yeah. So am I.”

They stopped in the middle of the snowy front path, gazing at one another. Lauren contemplated whether or not she should ask Mel about Alyssa.

“Once again,” he began, “you’re looking like you’ve got something deep running through that head of yours. Talk to me. What’s up?”

She paused, searching for a cool, tactful way to broach the subject of him and Alyssa. “Well…there is something that I’ve been curious about.”

“Sure, what is it? You know you can ask me anything.”

Lauren glanced down at the ground, then back up at Mel and took a deep breath. “I uh…I’ve just been wondering whether there’s something going on between you and—”

“Um, excuse me!”

Lauren stopped abruptly when the front door was flung wide open and Tina flipped on the porch light.

“What are you two doing out here?” she snapped.

“We—we were just um…” Mel stammered.

Lauren grabbed his hand and led him up the stairs. “We were actually just on our way inside. How’s Cameron doing?”

“Terrible! Mel, please get in here and check on your friend.

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