Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park

Author:Jessica Park [Park, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Flat Finn, Inc.
Published: 2014-05-22T04:00:00+00:00

Joy

They wove through busy Saturday night traffic, eventually making their way onto Route 9, heading west. Since he’d seemed pleased with having her hand on him during the earlier drive, she returned to the place on the back of his neck that he seemed to like. His hairline was damp from melted snow, something that Celeste found endearing. It did, however, seem that she found everything about him endearing, so it was quite likely that he could belch out the alphabet and she would be delighted. Not that she would suggest that to him.

Justin took them past a town sign for Dedham and soon slowed, pulling into a parking area. Celeste looked out the window and smiled. “We have arrived at a Christmas tree lot?” She clapped her hands together. “Are we buying a tree?”

Justin parked the car in a row by the entrance. “Better. Or I hope better. But if buying a Christmas tree is the true ultimate in your list of awesome things, then I will absolutely buy you a tree. Although you already have one at your house, so your parents might think that I found something ginormously offensive about their tree and was so horrified that I felt forced to replace it. I’d prefer they like me and not see me as some kind of jerk who goes around passing judgment on Christmas tree adequacy.”

She slipped her arm through his as they strolled through the lot, the snow still swirling softly in the night breeze. “I feel confident that they like you very much.”

An older man in a khaki parka with grey hair peeking out from under a Santa hat waved with one hand as he pulled a tree behind him with the other. “Justin! There you are!” He righted the tree against a chain link fence and walked to close the gap between them. “This must be Celeste. Pleasure to meet you, miss.” He held out a hand and flashed a mustached smile. “I’m Steve. Welcome to Steve’s Trees, and excuse the cheesy name.”

“It is very nice to meet you. You own this cheerful establishment?” Celeste had no idea what they were doing here, but she liked it.

“Your girl looks mighty confused,” Steve said. “You didn’t tell her?”

Justin grinned. “Nope. I’ll take her over now. Thanks, Steve.” Justin patted the man’s arm as they walked by.

“What are we doing?” she asked. Justin was leading her through the stacks of snow-dusted trees, winding among shoppers who were examining shapes and sizes, and eventually taking them to a back gate.

“You ready?” His eyes were full of mischief. “I hope you like this. But it’s not a big deal if you don’t.”

He opened the gate and Celeste stepped forward to find herself at the start of a path. A tunnel, really, of evergreen trees that grew rounded over the path in such a way as to nearly obscure the sky. She was surrounded by what must be thousands of mini white lights.

She walked into the glow, a shimmery hue now cast over her.

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