We leave long after dinner is over, one of the last occupied tables in the restaurant. The Ricci brothers come over to talk to us for a few minutes before we leave, and the satisfied smile on Isaac’s face as we climb into his vehicle can’t be ignored.

“You seem happy,” I tell him when he starts the engine.

He glances over at me. “I am. It’s been a good night.”

“The promotion?” I ask, still thrilled for him. They didn’t even have a customer service manager before. Charlie created the position just for Isaac.

“The promotion and everything else, really. I feel good. I feel like I belong. Like I’ve found my place. My position in life,” he explains. “I know this probably won’t last forever, but I finally feel like I’ve got some purpose.”

I reach out and pat his thigh, marveling at the hard muscle beneath his trousers. “You’ve always had purpose, Isaac.”

“I just needed confirmation I guess,” he says with a shrug, sending me an intimate smile.

“I feel good too you know,” I tell him. “It’s been a fun holiday season for once. I’m enjoying working at the store.”

“Really?”

Nodding, I explain further. “I was so unhappy with everything else in my life, I thought I hated my job too. But now that everything’s so much lighter and easier, I feel…good. No more bad relationship to bring me down I guess.”

“I’m glad you’re happy.” He rests his hand on top of mine where it still sits on his leg. “It just isn’t about the promotion, though. You play a big part in this too, Amelia.”

My breathing hitches and I squeeze his hand. “I feel the same way about you.”

“You do?” He sounds hopeful.

I nod, my gaze finding his. “I’m having fun with you.”

“I’m having fun with you too,” he says with a grin.

“Want to come back to my apartment?” I ask.

He throws the car in drive and pulls away from the curb so quickly, the tires squeal, making me laugh.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Twenty-Two

Isaac

Those days leading up to Christmas only get busier and busier—for both me and Amelia. To the point that it’s difficult to make time to see each other. It’s not that we don’t want to see each other or we’re afraid—we’re past that, I think—it’s just that we’re both so exhausted all the time.

The tree farm business is booming. With my new position, I’m putting out fires and trying to please everyone, which isn’t as easy as I first thought it might be. Amelia’s on the grind too. Her family decided to extend the store hours for the last ten days before Christmas, and she’s working round the clock. We’re always promising each other it’ll get better after Christmas.

It feels like a special date on the calendar we’re both working towards.

We sneak in a few texts here and there. A nightly FaceTime call; it is so good to see her beautiful face. I feel a little dumbstruck every time I look her, though I don’t think she knows. Or if she does, she’s really good at playing it off. But damn, I can’t help but get swept away by her beauty every single time I see her. She’s beautiful. And this girl acts like she wants to be mine. It’s mind-boggling.