“Because…because…” He grabbed both sides of his knit cap and tugged it over his ears. “You’re going to go home and tell your mother about this offer. And she’s going to railroad you into leaving tomorrow. And you’ll mean well about saying you won’t go, but you won’t stay. You avoid arguments. You take the path of least resistance. Heck, for all I know, your agent will bully you into taking this job.”
“You’re saying I have no backbone.” That was fair but it didn’t mean it hurt any less to hear. I held my head high. “You’re saying you never had a chance with me when dance was part of my life.” The timing of events this week fell into place. I shook my finger at him. “You didn’t kiss me until you thought I might be ready to retire.”
His chin jutted out. “I know you, Al.”
“You don’t know me. You don’t know me at all.” I marched down the sidewalk, away from Nick and his truck.
“Where are you going? I’ll drive you home.”
“I’ll be fine on my own.” I turned, walking backward through inches of snow, chest heaving because my heart was breaking. “And I’ll see you tomorrow at the Sleigh Café. I’ll be on time for my shift, the same as I’ll be on time for my shift Monday!” The day the Rockettes wanted me to start work. “It isn’t me who needs proof about love, Nick. It’s you.”
Nick stood on the sidewalk, saying nothing.
I stumbled as I turned, probably tripping over pieces of my heart. I couldn’t see for the tears that suddenly filled my eyes.
Because this felt like the end of everything, including our friendship.
ChapterFifteen
I showedup for work Friday morning at the Sleigh Café, hoping Nick and I would patch things up.
But the wounds of our argument were still fresh. We didn’t speak. And if one of our gazes happened to collide with the other’s, we looked away.
Thank heavens, the Sleigh Café was busy. Plenty of customers admitted to taking a day off to shop. The stores in town were opening early again today and the air buzzed with the excitement of Christmas.
Or it would have if I hadn’t lost my best friend and my heart half a day earlier. I could barely mount the energy to post Christmas cards, much less write one to Rudolph.
Grams showed up to help after dropping Ivy off at school. “Nick called me in,” she explained while donning a brown Sleigh Café apron. His grandmother took one look at my face before giving me a big hug. “Did you two fight?”
“We’re taking a break,” I said in a neutral voice, aware that the café was filled with customers.
“Pishaw.” Grams released me and filled a cup of coffee for Kevin O’Malley. “You two never fight.”
I dunked a green tea bag in hot water for his wife Lexi, not supporting or denying her theory.
“Now Kevin and Lexi…” Grams handed Kevin his coffee. “They used to fight all the time while they were courting. No offense to the now-happy couple.”
Kevin grinned. “None taken.”
“It wasn’t fighting so much as Kevin not talking to me about the important stuff.” Lexi ran a hand over her baby bump, gazing adoringly at her husband.
I handed her the tea, ready for a change of topic. “Are you singing with the other girls at the Christmas Extravaganza, Lexi?” With Carol, Joy, and the rest.
“Yes.” Lexi took over tea bag dipping duty. “I’m here this weekend for rehearsal.”
“I look forward to seeing Mrs. King’s girls perform again.” I meant it. Those women may have been a year behind me in school, but they were a part of my hometown holiday memories.
The newlyweds headed toward the door.
“See?” Grams pushed her glasses up her nose. “Don’t look so glum. You can work this out. Nick is your best friend. Although I always thought that was just a stepping stone to something more, if you gave the poor boy a chance.”
Oh, I gave him a chance all right.
I wanted to tell Grams that Nick started it. He’d got me thinking about kisses over friendship. He’d made me realize I loved him and wanted to be with him always. And then just when I started letting down my guard, he revealed his worst fear. Well, I had news for Nick. I had fears about us first!
I rang up Nina Robyn’s order for a pumpkin spice latte. She had a bag of red and green yarn from Nana Knits. As I gave her change back, I noticed my father lurking behind her, trying to drop off a Christmas card without me seeing.
“Who’s that card for?” I demanded, drawing the attention of everyone in the café.