But it least it was done – and no doubtfor the best – even if it didn't feel that way.
Chapter 39
Lexie
Harper eyed me with obvious concern. "Maybe I shouldn’t have told you."
It was Christmas Eve, and I was working at the nearly empty candy store. Earlier today, the store had been absolutely swamped, but now, with only a few minutes to go until closing time, only two customers remained.
Both of them were browsing through the gift baskets near the front window. As for my sister, she'd come into the store about five minutes ago because after work, both of us were heading to our parents' place for Christmas Eve.
We didn't need to go together, but during the past week – ever since my final confrontation with Cole – Harper had been clucking over me like a concerned mother hen.
She'd even driven me to work today, explaining that if she dropped me off in the morning, she could pick me up at night, and we could drive together to Mom and Dad's place. Considering that the drive from here to there took only ten-minutes, the offer had been totally unnecessary.
And yet, Harper had insisted. It was sweet, and I loved her for it.Really, I did.But I was done talking about Cole. I wasn't done thinking about him, but that wasmyproblem, not Harper's.
"It's fine," I told her. "I mean, I needed to know, right?"
And yet, there was a part of me that was wishing Ihadn'tknown. Yes, I realized it was stupid.But I couldn’t help it.
I missed him.
And of course, I was spending far too many hours staring out the front windows of my aunt's place, wondering what Cole was doing across the street.
Every once in a while, I saw his dark SUV pulling into – or out of – his garage. But I never sawhim, not even at the mailbox. Even his Christmas lights had gone completely dark. Sure, they were still there, but he never turned them on.
Was it because of me?
Again, I thought of his Christmas curse, and my heart ached on his behalf. If only he'd been a little more honest – and a little less ruthless – maybe I could've shown him firsthand that Christmas could be filled with wonderful things, too.
My mind was still churning with thoughts of Cole when Harper said, "See? That's exactly what I’m talking about."
Her words startled me back to the present. "Sorry, what?"
Her eyes filled with sympathy. "You look like you've lost your best friend."
Funny, Ifeltthat way, too.Still, I summoned up a weak smile. "No, I didn't.You'remy best friend. And you're right here. See?"
"I know. I just mean…" She sighed. "He never deserved you. And I wish you could forget him."
I tried to laugh. "Yeah, you and me both."
And yet, Cole was proving impossible to forget. It made no sense. We'd only dated for a few weeks. This shouldn't have been a big deal. And yet, it was like he'd left a giant hole in my heart that nobody else could fill.
Was that crazy?
Probably.
But I didn't want to obsess over him now. It was nearly five o'clock on Christmas Eve. I wanted to get out of here and forget that Cole Henster had ever existed. And then, after the holidays, I wanted to get my lifeandcareer back on track.
Maybe I could get Mister Grampkin to write me a glowing letter of recommendation?
If I'd been smart, I would've asked for this a long time ago. Mister Grampkin would surely do it. Iknewhe would, even if according to Cole, the guy was a total screw-up.
Or had Cole lied aboutthat,too?
By now, I had no idea.
