Never Sleigh Never (Man of the Month Club: Christmas Novella)

13. Cara

Cara

M y heart pounds as I grip the whiteboard sign, the marker cool in my trembling fingers. The bustle of the festival fades into the background as I focus on the words I’ve just written: All I want for Christmas is for Thomas Crawford to give me another chance .

Gabby, thrilled beyond belief, has paused the line to allow me to slip in and capture a picture in front of the wintery backdrop. After the photo develops, I’ll need to search out Thomas and hope he’ll hear me out this time.

Mia stands a few yards back, Polaroid camera poised, her brow furrowed in concentration.

“That’s really what you want for Christmas?” she asks, her voice filled with childlike curiosity.

I nod, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. “More than anything,” I croak out, ignoring the hushed whispers, pointing and elbow nudging the folks in line are doing to their neighbors.

Nearby, children’s laughter rings out, punctuated by the cheerful jingling of bells. But all I can focus on is the weight of the sign in my hands and the nervous flutter in my stomach.

Mia tilts her head, confusion etched on her young face. “Why don’t you just ask him? He’s right there.”

My breath catches as I spin around, nearly dropping the sign. Because there Thomas is, stepping out from behind the backdrop, his broad shoulders filling out that flannel shirt I’ve come to adore. He’s holding his own sign, but it’s facing backward, the message hidden from view.

Our eyes lock, and the world seems to stand still. The festival and the crowd and the entire world really, fade away leaving us alone in this moment. Thomas’s rich brown eyes, usually so guarded, are open and vulnerable as they flick down to read my sign.

“Is that what you really want?” he asks, stepping toward me, his voice rough with emotion.

I nod, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

“I’ve never wanted anything more,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the hum of the crowd.

My chest tightens as I wait for his response, the seconds stretching out like hours. Without a word, Thomas slowly turns his sign around, and I gasp.

All I want for Christmas is for Cara Livingston not to swear off me . There’s an n crossed out at the end of the sentence that makes me smile despite myself.

My heart leaps into my throat, and for a moment, I can’t breathe. Thomas and I might be complete opposites, but in every way that matters, we’re on exactly the same page.

“Oh, Thomas,” I breathe, erasing the distance between us. The biodegradable fake snow crunches beneath my feet, but I barely notice. “Really?”

His eyes never leave mine. “I thought I was just a rebound,” he admits, his voice low and husky.

I shake my head vehemently, dropping my sign to reach for him. “I tried to convince myself that’s all it was, but…” I trail off, lost in the warmth of his gaze.

Thomas’s calloused hand cups my cheek, and I lean into his touch, savoring the roughness of his skin against mine.

“But what?” he prompts gently.

“But I fell for you,” I confess, my voice barely above a whisper. “Hard and fast. And it terrified me because you’re so different from anyone I’ve ever been with.”

A slow smile spreads across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes in that way that makes my knees weak. “You don’t say.”

I laugh softly, blinking back happy tears. “You’re gruff and practical, and you’d rather spend the day building something than shopping. But you’re also kind and loyal and…” I take a deep breath, steeling myself to lay it all on the line. “And you make me feel safe and cherished in a way I’ve never felt before.”

Thomas’s thumb brushes away a tear that’s escaped down my cheek. “Sometimes, you drive me crazy with all your holiday cheer and glitter,” he admits with a chuckle. “But you also light up every room you walk into. You care so deeply about this town and the people in it. And when I’m with you, I want nothing more than to start new holiday traditions…together.”

My heart swells at his words, and I feel as if my chest is about to burst with happiness. I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing myself against the solid warmth of his chest. “I’m so sorry I hurt you,” I murmur. “Can you forgive me?”

Instead of answering, Thomas dips his head, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that steals my breath. His arms encircle my waist, pulling me impossibly closer as he deepens the kiss. I melt into him, tasting peppermint and promise on his lips.

The sound of applause breaks through our bubble, and we part, breathless and flushed. I glance around to see the line has turned into a crowd gathered around us, cheering and whistling. Phillip and Gabby stand off to the side, with Mia between them, wearing matching knowing grins.

Mia’s nose wrinkles. “Does this mean you two are boyfriend and girlfriend now? Are you gonna get married and have babies?”

A wave of laughter ripples through the crowd, and my cheeks heat. But as I look up at Thomas, seeing the love and warmth in his eyes, I can’t help but smile.

“What do you say, Cara?” Thomas asks, his voice low and tender. “Want to give us a real shot?”

I nod, feeling happier than I have in years.

“Yes,” I breathe. “A fresh start sounds perfect.”

As Thomas leans in for another kiss, the crowd erupts in cheers once more, but I lose myself in his embrace, knowing this is the start of a new holiday tradition, one filled with love, laughter, and the perfect blend of glitter and sawdust.