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“Are you sure this one is okay?” I asked, studying myself in the mirror as Sebastian nodded his head.
“I love all of them, so it’s whatever you feel the most comfortable in.”
“I feel anything but comfortable,” I muttered, rubbing my hands down the maroon-colored sweater dress. “Why did I decide to do this? I should call and tell Hadley I can’t make it after all.”
“You’re just nervous, and that’s to be expected. But remember how nervous you were about talking to Hadley? Then you guys sat down, and everything was fine. It’s going to be the same tonight. It’s just Hadley and your aunt. I promise she’s going to be so excited to see you.”
I chewed the inside of my cheek. I knew he was right, but that didn’t stop the butterflies swarming through my stomach.
“What time is it?” I asked, remembering that a lot of the stores would be closing early today since it was Christmas Eve.
“Ten thirty.”
I nodded and took one more look in the mirror before going back to the dressing room to change. When I came out, I found Sebastian in the jewelry department, looking at something in a display case.
He looked up, spotted me heading his way, and shook his head, pointing a finger for me to turn around. I gave him a confused look that matched the pointed one he gave me. I laughed and then redirected myself to the display of hats and scarves.
I wanted to get him something, but I hadn’t figured out what yet. I looked at Frosty Fest, but it was hard to shop for anyone while my head was spinning after meeting Hadley. This was my last chance to get a gift, and the clock was ticking.
I went around the corner, relieved when I saw stuff that he would like. I grabbed a pair of leather gloves, a thicker beanie than the one he had been wearing, and a scarf that would look good with the leather jacket I had seen him wear a few times when he wasn’t wearing his winter coat.
“Find anything good?” he asked, startling me as I tossed my sweater over the stuff in my cart so he couldn’t see it.
“A few things. You?”
He nodded with a smug grin on his face.
“Did you want to look here for something for your aunt and Hadley?” he offered, looking around the store.
We had been to Waldon’s several times for groceries, but I was still surprised by how much other stuff they had.
“I have no idea what to get them,” I admitted.
“How about some scented candles? Maybe a nice selection of chocolates? Like one of those boxes that have a mix of everything?”
My eyes lit up at chocolate.
“Oooh! If we have time, we can make it over to Sugarplum Sweets. I can grab some stuff for them there.”
“You just want to go so you can get more truffles for yourself.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “But if you’re nice to me, I’ll share them with you.”
“Deal.”
I insisted that we go to separate registers to pay for our stuff; that way, he couldn’t see what I was buying for him. We hadn’t talked about whether to exchange gifts since we’d be spending Christmas together, but I wanted to get him something regardless. We loaded our bags into the back of the truck, then stopped for a latte before heading down the sidewalk to Sugarplum Sweets.
When we walked in, the sweet aroma of baked goods filled the air and made my mouth water.
“I could seriously live here,” I joked, though part of me was serious.
“I can see if they have any job openings,” he offered playfully.
“No way. I would eat more than I would sell. My ass has already doubled in size in the eleven days I’ve been in Sugarplum Falls. I can’t risk it getting any bigger.”
He lifted the bottom of my coat and leaned to get a better look at my ass.
“I think it’s just fine. In fact, I like a nice, plump ass. Why don’t we get two orders of truffles?”
I swatted his arm as we walked to the register.
“Hey! It’s nice to see you two again,” Andi, the woman we’d met at Frosty Fest, said. “I’m down to my last few boxes of truffles if you want them.”
“Yes, please,” I begged, pressing my hands together.
She laughed and went around the counter to grab them from the shelf.
“Anything else, or just the truffles?”
“I’m, umm... I’m meeting my aunt for the first time tonight, and I wanted to take something for her and my cousin, but I don’t know what they would like,” I explained, feeling stupid. “I know that’s an odd thing to say, but do you have any premade gift baskets or something like that?”
“Come with me. I think I have the perfect idea.”
I followed her through the store as she pointed out a few different premade sets she had. Nothing was screaming “perfect gift,” which made my heart sink further down my chest.
Andi’s eyes softened as she smiled sadly at me.
“Why don’t we put together a basket instead of going with the premade ones?” she suggested.
“I don’t want to make any extra work for you.”
“It’s fine. I promise. Zach is in the back with Autumn, working on some orders that are being picked up soon, but they can come up front if someone else comes in. I’m all yours, so let’s make the best basket your heart desires.”
I smiled and allowed her to lead me through the store, going over all the options and making sure we didn’t pick anything with nuts, just in case either had a food allergy.
By the time we were done, Sebastian was eating a coconut truffle that Zach had given him while Andi put together two custom baskets for me. I had no idea what my aunt and cousin liked, but everyone loved chocolate. Right?