“Forgot to say earlier, nice sweater.” He winked.
I glanced down and realized we matched. My green sweater had an equally tacky reindeer on it. “We have great taste.”
With another lingering smile, I resumed my errand with thoughts full of Mickey. I was exhilarated to find out what came next for us. With how differently I felt with him than anyone else I’d dated, I knew I needed to see it through, wherever we went.
I’d reached the point where returning to Boston no longer felt like a viable option.I don’t want to go back there.Boston was my past, and Maplewood was my future.
Had I just decided to stay? I took in the revelry and the hundreds of people who’d chosen to spend their holiday with their neighbors instead of in the comfort of their homes with their favorite holiday foods. This was what I wanted in my life. I wasn’t sure what was in store for me, but I felt free having cut Boston loose.
First thing on the day after Christmas, I would text Braxton and let him know that I wasn’t interested in pursuing the job. He wouldn’t have an issue finding someone who was far more invested than I could be.
After setting the water pitchers on the drinks table, I returned to our prep area behind the scenes.
“I noticed the mashed potatoes were running low. Can you take a fresh tray out? Also, the rolls could use topping up. Butter too.” Mickey directed volunteers like a man used to working in a restaurant.
I couldn’t help but admire him in his element. He might not have a passion for it, but he sure had the skills. I knew he would be successful with Mystic Rind—wherever he decided to take it. If I played my cards right, I could be right by his side as he figured it out. I couldn’t wait.
“Do you know if theGood Morning, USAteam has eaten?” Mom asked.
She’d been moving nonstop since we’d arrived at the venue a couple of hours ago. She’d taken charge of getting plates dished up for the deliveries, and Dad and Sage had stepped into organize the volunteers serving at the buffet line. Meanwhile, Joe Brewer had taken the lead in setting up the kitchen space and organizing all the pre-prepped food. They all worked together seamlessly, like people who’d done it before. There were no squabbles or territorial spats like occasionally happened at festival events. How much of that was a show for the community?
“I’m not sure. I’ll go ask.” I returned to the main room and spotted the producer Mandeep.
“Hey. You all eaten yet? If it would help, we can set aside plates or find a more private place to eat,” I said.
Mandeep pulled his attention away from Theresa interviewing a couple I’d seen at The Striped Maple a couple of times. One wore red and one wore green. Huh.
“Hey. Thanks for the offer. We’ll keep filming for a while, but we’d love to grab some food later. If you could set aside some plates, we’d really appreciate that. Thanks.”
“No problem. Are you getting good content?” I couldn’t wait to see the final spot tomorrow.
I’d asked Mandeep earlier how they would be able to put together the segment so quickly when it was airing tomorrow. I couldn’t wrap my mind around how it would happen. He’d said they sent the digital footage back to the crew working in New York as soon as they filmed, so they’d been working on the segment all day. The Christmas Day special was one of their biggest shows of the year, so the editing crew worked long days leading up to it, and those who celebrated Christmas did so on the twenty-sixth.
“We’ve gotten a lot of great footage. We’re still going around and doing interviews about the diners, but I know our viewers are going to eat this up. People love an underdog story, and this town has two.”
“That’s great. I’ll go make sure there’s food set aside for you all.”
“Thanks, Amos.” Mandeep turned back to the filming in progress.
As soon as I got back to the prep area, I reported back to Mom about fixing plates for the film crew. While volunteers bustled in and out of the space, I tried to figure out what needed to be done next and saw Mickey striding with purpose toward the storage area we’d crammed full of supplies. I spun around and followed hot on his heels. His competency was seriously working for me, and I needed him to know it.
The entrance faced an empty hallway, so I took the opportunity to hook my arm around his waist and pull him close.
Mickey let out a startled laugh and turned in my arms to face me. “Hey. This is a nice surprise.”
As I took in his wide smile and the warmth in his eyes, I was overcome with gratitude for the circumstances that had led me to him. My life was so much better with Mickey Brewer in it, and I needed him to know. It wasn’t the best time or place, but I couldn’t wait.
“I’m staying. I don’t know what I’ll do for work, but I know I don’t want to leave Maplewood. Even if I’m in a city nearby, I want to stay. I’m turning down the job.”
Mickey wrapped his arms around me in a vise grip before he pulled back and cupped my cheeks, searching my eyes. “You’re staying? Really?”
Staying in Vermont wasn’t only about Mickey, but also about my family and finding a career that brought me joy. But damn, the elation in Mickey’s voice felt amazing.
“I am. My parents are going to be so happy. Lots of good news to tell them tomorrow,” I said meaningfully.
He brushed his thumb across my cheek. “Where should we have our first date in town? Red’s or Sparky’s?”
I laughed. “How about somewhere neutral? Let’s work up to the diners.”
