She squeezes me tight and I slide it into my oversized coat pocket.
Before I can say anything else, Oakley pulls me around to show me what she’s painted so far. My eyes widen in shock as I look at a night scene of the gigantic tree that she has a perfect view of.
“I’ve pretty much got most of it done. I just need to fill in the lights on the tree, the crowd, and other small details, and then it’s finished,” she explains.
“You amaze me,” I laugh, almost envisioning what the scene tonight will look like. “The best I can do is an uneven stick figure.”
Moments later, Finn walks up with a holiday cup and hands it to Oakley.
“What were you two talking about?” he asks, placing a sweet kiss on Oakley’s lips.
“Painting.” Oakley shoots me a wink, and I appreciate her kindness.
“Well,” Levi says. “Lucy has a booth around here somewhere. I need to go say hello.”
“She’s on the far side, right in the middle of all the commotion,” Oakley says.
“Good seeing you again, Fallon,” Finn offers. “Keep him out of trouble.”
“One can only try,” I say.
“If you get bored, I’ll be here all night,” Oakley tells us and we wave goodbye.
Levi falls in line beside me with Dasher in tow. “What did she say?”
I chuckle, but her words aren’t ones I’ll be forgetting anytime soon. “Nothing. Nothing at all. But she did get me a gift.”
“Yeah?” he asks.
I pull it from my pocket and show him.
“It’s perfect.” He laughs and I quickly steal a kiss.
Eventually we find Lucy who’s selling hand-carved ornaments from the shop and boxes of White’s famous gingersnaps by the dozens. She’s busy as hell, so we wait in line for our turn to chat with her.
“It’s those cookies,” I say, seeing just how many people are buying. “Is it really a secret recipe?”
“Yep.” He smirks.
“And you’re not going to tell me?”
He leans in and whispers in my ear. “Not until there’s a ring on that finger.”
My heart flutters at the idea of marrying this man. But I know it’s just a fantasy, and I’m getting way ahead of myself.
“You’re a tease. But I did notice your wise choice of words. You saiduntilinstead ofunless.”
“Always so observant,” he mutters, then winks.
I swallow just as it’s our turn to order. Lucy squeals when she sees us holding hands. “Oh my God, it’s my favorite non-couple.”
Levi leans across the table and gives her a hug. She forces me to do the same, but I don’t mind it. “Are you guys having fun?”
I nod as Levi places some cash in her tip jar. “Just wanted to say hey and tell you that you’re a badass.”
“Thanks, Levi. You’re my favorite hype squad. But I’m closing this baby down once I sell out of everything.”
“Then I guess we better leave you to it,” he tells her.