Page 61 of Christmas Chemistry


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I groaned, tugging the scrunchie from my hair. “Do you mind if I don’t answer that? At least for now. I’m already halfway ill over the idea that I could end up looking like a total chump tonight.” Marley had pulled away when I’d told her I loved her, pushed even harder when we’d spoken yesterday. Tonight could be the reason she shoved me out of her life for good. “Putting myself out there is kind of new for me.”

Travis snorted. “Well, you certainly are doing that in a major way.”

“If you could have heard Marley talking last night, you’d understand. It’s going to take something big to convince her.”

“I’m glad you’re in this. She really deserves someone to fight for her.”

“I know.”

“Sometimes, I’m not entirely sure you do. I’ll bet she’s told you a bit about coming back five years ago, taking care of her mom, but I’m guessing she put a Marley-colored spin on things.”

“What does that mean?”

“I mean, it was bad. She came back and had to put up with months of everyone in town asking where Kasen was, their shocked faces when she explained they’d broken up.” Travis leaned his hip against a bookshelf. “I didn’t know Marley very well as kids. I’m closer in age with her sister Maureen. But I knew enough to know that everyone expected her and Kasen to last. Before you got here, we were the two youngest teachers for the longest, so now and then we’d chat. Everything was so hard for her. Alice dying was one piece—the biggest piece, of course—but having Kasen stay in Portland added this extra layer of something. I dunno. It was almost like she was ashamed that he broke up with her.”

“He was such an idiot to let her go.”

“Maybe. Probably. Or it’s also possible they weren’t meant to go the distance. I think she fits better with you. You give her this weird extra sparkle she never had before. It scares the shit out of her, because she spent her whole life thinking she’d end up with someone like Kasen. Someone much less sparkly.”

I grinned. Travis wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t already know. Diagnosing the root of Marley’s behavior wasn’t the puzzle that needed solving. “How do I get her to surrender to the uncertainty? To trust that I want her? She’s so stubborn.”

The lilting chimes of my phone ringing saved Travis from having to reply. I looked down at the caller ID. Kasen.

“I have to take this,” I said. He nodded as he walked back out, flicking the ornaments on my gigantic second-place Christmas tree on his way into the hall.

Chapter nineteen

Marley

Icamehomefromwork to find Maureen and Miranda hanging out in the living room, picking up photos and decorations and exchanging stories.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, dropping my purse on the counter before rushing over to hug them both. “I thought you weren’t coming until Sunday.”

“Miranda finished her finals yesterday and flew in last night. Abel agreed to cover me at the store in exchange for the next few weekends. So we came early,” Maureen answered.

“We thought we’d check out the talent show tonight,” Miranda said, smirking as Maureen smacked her on the shoulder.

It made sense they’d want to attend. Half the town went to the show. We’d all grown up going every year, so the nostalgia factor remained strong.

“Awesome,” I said. “And I’m glad you’re here because James is actually in the show tonight. Remember, I told you how he lost that bet to me?” I chuckled. “He won’t tell me what he’s doing—keeps threatening elaborate juggling—but I’m betting it’ll be something more interesting.”

Maureen and Miranda exchanged glances.

“Um, sure. It’ll be great to see him,” Maureen said.

“Yeah, we’re definitely looking forward to watching James perform.” Miranda grinned hugely and Maureen smacked her on the shoulder again. “Ouch. What was that for?”

“You know.”

“What? I can’t be stoked to see Marley’s boyfriend?” Miranda switched her attention to me. “I’m really looking forward to meeting him, Marls. He sounds like a great guy.”

My lips flattened. “I’ve told you it’s just casual. Not really a boyfriend thing. I’m happy to introduce you, but you don’t need to get all excited.”

Miranda rolled her eyes. Maureen made a pained noise before saying, “Didn’t we just talk about this at the restaurant last weekend? You don’t need to downplay your feelings, Marley.”

“I’m not.”

“Sure you’re not. Just like at Thanksgiving when you told us you guys were just friends,” Miranda said.