“Sounds like it.” Sebastian squeezes me tighter. “Way to go with your giving tree idea. I bet that’s what sealed the deal for the anonymous benefactor.”
Just when I think Brain Freeze is home free, my heart sinks again. Dread fills my body as I turn to face Sebastian again.
“But it wasn’t my idea. Someone handed the idea to me on a silver platter.” My face hurts under the weight of my frown. “I can’t take credit, Sebastian. I have to give my share back. I won under false pretenses.”
He traces a finger over my forehead, smoothing away the worry line that’s begun to throb. The elation he displayed moments ago is gone, replaced with tender, dark eyes. He’s never been more beautiful than right now, calming me with his gentle touch.
“You know what I love about you, Sophie?”
I stop breathing and swallow hard.Love?
“Your heart. It’s filled with honesty, compassion, and selflessness as you face complications of your own.”
I stare long and hard at Sebastian, praying I'm not reading more into his words than he intended. If nothing else in the world goes right for me, I'm forever content if he loves me.
“You love me?” I gulp as my cheeks flush hot. The crowd noise melts away.
"I do." He nods, and the curl I love to run my fingers through so much falls across his forehead. “I’m not asking you to commit to more, but you have to know, the first night we made love was the point of no return for me.”
"For me, too." The words slip out quietly in the chilly air, swirling between us, full of hope and promises. "From the beginning."
His lips brush against mine, and everything weighing on my shoulders melts away. The damp heat we share lights a hungry fire in my belly, and I can’t wait to get him alone.
When he breaks the kiss, I’m loopy and drunk on love. Literal love. “Damn, you’re a good kisser.”
Sebastian grins and taps the tip of my nose with his fingertip. “Swear jar.”
***
Sebastian
All the shop owners return to their respective stores to light up the square. As much as I hate to leave Sophie’s side, I return to Fudgeballs to do the same. As soon as the last customer of the day leaves, I make a beeline for Brain Freeze.
"We came prepared this time." A man and woman stand at the counter while two children stare at the window display. They were the last customers to leave Fudgeballs tonight. "Book club is going to love your espresso ice cream. We're whipping up a little sundae bar with all the toppings."
“Sounds delicious.” Sophie’s eyes light up as I round the counter. “There’s something extra in the bag for the little ones. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have thought to add take-out pints to the menu.”
“You’re so sweet.” The lady stuffs a few ones in the tip jar, then turns to her husband. “We better get this to the cooler.”
“Can we get something for the giving tree, Daddy?”
“Please, can we?”
“I don’t see why not. We’ll be back before Christmas.” The man holds up two fingers. “Make it two.”
The children choose two names from the tree.
Sophie finds the coordinating child’s wish list in her binder and hands it to the man. “We’d like items returned no later than December twentieth, so we have time to wrap and distribute the gifts."
The couple gather their goods and step out into the cold night air. Alone at last. I lock the door behind them and stroll back to the counter. Sophie pulls two ones from the tip jar and hands them to me.
“Would you mind putting this in the swear jar while I clean up? It’s in the back by my desk.”
“Sure thing.” I pluck the bills from her fingers and disappear into the back. I weave through piles of boxes and equipment and stop short, stunned when I reach her desk.
Two ten-gallon water cooler jugs sit in the corner behind Sophie’s desk, filled to the brim with dollar bills and change. She’s sitting on a fortune. I stuff the dollar bills into the top of one and stroll to the front.
“You’re quite the sailor, aren’t you?” I lean into the doorframe with my arms crossed and chuckle.