Cliche Christmas by Elle Brownlee

Author:Elle Brownlee [Brownlee, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-64108-535-9
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2022-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

On The Eighth Day

LAKE SURVEYED the old-fashioned movie theater seating with trepidation. “Yeah, no. I can’t fold that small.”

“Sit on the end and stretch into the aisle.” Miriam counted seats and tossed her coat at the farthest they’d need.

“I don’t want to break a whole row of these either.” Lake knew he shouldn’t chance the once plush, once bright red and faded to a mellow burgundy, fold-down seats. They were connected to one another with sturdy wrought iron and wood armrests and bolted to the floor. Not even the spilling into the aisle trick would save him.

“Don’t be silly. How would you break it?”

Lake made a face at Miriam and shuffled sideways into the row. He towered over the seatbacks and had to make pigeon feet for them to fit. He made three attempts at sitting for show and then shuffled out again.

Miriam frowned. “I see your point, but I don’t want you to miss the concert. You’ve been looking forward to it all week.”

“I’m not saying I’m leaving. I’m just going to find somewhere else to park it. We’ll all meet up and enjoy the mulled wine and canapes afterwards.” Lake glanced around for likely alternative seating options. “Besides, losing feeling in my feet and not being able to unbend my legs when it ends will ruin my evening more than not sitting next to you. Lovely as you are in the outfit I picked out because you couldn’t make a decision, of course.”

“Don’t make me swoon.” Miriam whapped his arm and laughed. “I can come sit with you wherever… else.” She stood on tiptoe and searched the theater.

“Missing something?” Howard asked as he joined them, Jill on his arm and moving much slower. But not too slow to send Miriam ahead to get them choice middle seats in the center section.

“Somewhere to put this lunk,” she answered.

Howard looked from the old-fashioned seats to Lake and back. He nodded. “I barely fit them myself. But then, it’s more from this than my height.” He patted his rounded belly and grinned.

“I’m trying to convince him it’ll work if he’s on the end,” Miriam argued.

“And I’m telling you I’m certain it’ll be a disaster.” Lake raised both hands. “I’ll ask an usher if there’s a big chair or crate I can sit on. If nothing else I’ll loiter in the back. It’ll make this feel like a command performance, standing room only.”

Other people were filing in and wanting to get seated, asking if Miriam’s coat meant the whole row was taken and if not, how many.

“We’re clogging the works.” Lake held Miriam’s shoulders and kissed her forehead. “It’s an hour of music and carols. I’ll be fine.” He saw Jill into the row.

“Such a gentleman.” Jill pinched his cheek. “There’s wide, stout benches on the first landing to the balcony. Go grab one of those. And then we can get some ginger spice cakes from the bakery to have with our wine.”

Lake winked at Miriam. “What’d I say? Now, enjoy yourselves. We’ll meet up after—text me.

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