Page 6 of Snowflakes and Ice Skates

I was surprised he wanted to be involved. Going to the store was one thing, actually making this was another.

“We need to melt the chocolate and break up the candy.”

“I think I can handle that.” I wanted to ask him what his angle was. Why was he doing this? But I couldn’t. Mom would kill me for being rude.

“Then it needs to chill before we pour on the white chocolate.”

He held up his wrist and looked at his watch. “That’s going to be cutting it close.”

I nodded. It was already five. I looked over at him and his calm smile was surprisingly reassuring.

“We’ve got this.”

“We do?”

“I’m not going to leave you alone for this. We’ll get it done, and while it’s chilling you can finish getting ready. By the time you’re done it will be time for the white chocolate.”

That would work.

“Thanks Vince.”

“We’ve got this.” He repeated himself, but this time I almost believed him.

We walked through the front door weaving in and out of the crowd of people setting things up. The kitchen had been taken over by the caterers, but we moved things around so we could use the stove.

Vince worked alongside me, finding the double boiler and setting it up without me having to ask. It was strange how easily we worked together. It was like he knew what I needed before I did. We could anticipate each other’s moves and stay out of each other’s way. Could this just be from growing up together? We could communicate without speaking in a strangely comfortable way.

I shook the thought away. It was because we were stressed for time. We both knew how to make something this simple.

We had the chocolate melting in record time. He broke up the candy cane and scattered it on a baking sheet.

“I’m ready for you.”

I paused at his words. I knew what he meant, but that stupid crush thought for a moment he really meant me. How many years had I wasted waiting for him to say that? Too many. I was past that. I’d moved on. No need to even think about the possibility of us. Plus, I had plans. Plans that didn’t involve him.

“Right.” I gently poured the chocolate and watched as he tapped the pan, spreading it around. We repeated that on the next three trays, working in perfect synchronization.

“Done.” He moved to the fridge with a sheet in each hand and waited.

I slid by him, brushing against his chest with my back. He could have stepped back. He could have moved away, but he didn’t. Why didn’t he?

I pushed away the thought and helped him arrange the trays.

I shut the fridge door and wiped off my hands on a Christmas dish towel. “Thanks for your help.”

When I met his eyes, I saw something in them I hadn’t seen. . . ever. Attraction? No, it was probably appreciation. He was impressed with what we’d done.

That was it.

I blinked and looked away. My mind was in fantasy mode. Being back home was making me act like I was young again. Young and stupid.

Three

Vince and I finished the treats and had them tied up with bows before the first guest arrived. Mom wanted me in the foyer, greeting people and offering to take their coats. I knew what she was really up to though. She was treating this like my welcome home party. She refused to accept that I didn’t want to stay here. This was my resting place while I figured things out. I don’t know why she thought having our neighbors and friends ask me a hundred times on repeat what my plans were was a good idea.

It only drove me further away. I didn’t want to end up here. Not like everyone else.

It was fine for them. There was nothing wrong with Roseville. It was beautiful. But it was my childhood. I wanted to be on my own and make my name without standing on Dad’s shoulders.