Page 49 of Hot Times in Heart Falls, Vignettes Vol 3

When they’d stepped through the doors of the firehall Edison swore his heart tried to somersault its way out of his chest. All the Christmasy scents were there, and the warm air, and the noise too—laughter and chatter bouncing off every wall.

But he barely noticed any of it. He was too focused on not hyperventilating.

This was it. Tonight, he was going to tell Kevin how he felt. No hedging. No coy teasing. Just say it.

Or at least, sweater it.

Even as they moved into the chaos, he couldn’t stop from glancing over at Kevin. At the little furrow between his brows as if he wasn’t quite sure where to go next and he didn’t want to make a mistake that would ruin the evening for anyone.

Edison’s heart clenched. Kevin was perfect. All tall and thoughtful and solid, like a lamppost yet willing to bend when it was important.

Kevin’s gaze met his, and his face lit up in that way that always made Edison want to sing and cry at the same time.

Okay. Now. Just do it.

No reason to wait. Edison squared his shoulders, ready to whip off his jacket as if he was presenting an award-winning science fair project titled “One Very Love-Struck Sweater.”

Before he could undo a single button, a streak of motion zipped toward him.

“Mr. W” a voice squealed. He barely had time to blink before a small hand grabbed his own and tugged him off toward the far side of the hall. “Come see the marshmallow toss!”

He glanced back at Kevin, apologetic for leaving him in the lurch. Kevin only chuckled and gave him a half-salute, eyes soft with affection.

So Edison went. Of course he went. He crouched and cheered and got hit in the face by rogue marshmallows and laughed until his cheeks hurt.

It was twenty minutes later when he spotted Kevin standing beside the punch table, looking adorably uncertain about what to do with his hands. He hadn’t taken off his coat either, Edison noticed with a flutter of nerves. Maybe he was waiting. Maybe he’d known Edison would need a minute to build up to this.

Edison crossed the room, his jacket still firmly in place even though it was getting very warm in the hall. “Hey, sorry. I got abducted by the sugar-gremlins.”

Kevin smiled, handing him a cup. “You were a hit.”

“Don’t think my charm saved me. I had to bribe them with candy canes so they would let me go.” He sipped the punch. Cranberry and ginger. Good, but only because it wet his suddenly dry mouth enough he could—should—be ready to do the next thing. “I was just about to…uh…”

Before he could continue, a clang echoed from near the kitchen, followed by a booming voice. “Change of plans! Gaudy sweater contest is before dinner, folks. Apparently, someone forgot to turn on the second oven and the sweet potatoes are not yet toasted.”

Laughter rang out, and Edison blinked at Kevin. This was it. No more delays.

“I have something to show you,” he said, voice shaky but determined.

Kevin turned, gaze sharp and curious. “Yeah?”

Edison nodded then reached for the zipper of his coat.

And once again, a chorus of children arrived like a confetti cannon of chaos.

“Mr. W, help me with my lights!”

“Can you untangle my battery pack?”

“Mine’s blinking weird!”

He met Kevin’s gaze across the swarm, helpless. Kevin just grinned and rolled up his sleeves.

They dove into the kid chaos together.

Eventually, the last blinking elf was operational, the tinsel had been secured, and Brad Ford raised his voice above the gathered ruckus. “Time for everyone to line up for the gaudy sweater parade. Strut your stuff past this year’s judges now, please.”

Edison found Kevin’s hand in the fray and gave it a squeeze, tugging him toward a quieter corner behind the raffle table. “Okay,” he said, heart thudding. “Now. For real this time.”