Lydia's Pine Harbor Christmas, стр. 29
He laughed. “First and last.”
Lydia shook her head. “Such a loss to the needlework world.”
Marco nodded. “The thing is that the bar customers look at you weird when you set down a granny square to pour someone a drink.”
She had an almost-serious expression. “I see what you mean.”
Marco’s smile faded. “If not our first coffee, maybe it was when we hacked Decker’s PowerPoint. You were all in, and I was impressed. And no one cleans a restaurant like you do. That pretty much clinched it.”
Her eyebrows drew together. “Your typical epic love story.”
“When you accidentally dipped your hair like a paintbrush in the cleaning bucket and I pulled it back and tied it in a knot so it would stay out of the way, you looked so adorable. I could have hugged you right then. But being with you was so effortless that I didn’t even know what it was.”
With a wistful look in her eyes, Lydia said, “I knew how I felt, though I really tried to be friends.”
Marco drew her closer as they looked into the fire. “Those are the first of many moments to come. When I’m old and sitting in my duct-taped recliner with the remote in one hand and a beer in the other—a Silva Brothers’ craft beer, of course—I want to have ten thousand moments with you to remember, because that’s what love is, and I want it with you.”
They spent much of the morning finding a tow truck driver to retrieve Lydia’s car and take it to an auto shop for repair. Then Marco drove her home.
As he walked her to the door, he asked, “Do you know what this is?”
“What what is?”
“It’s perfect snowball weather.”
Lydia kept walking. “I’m sure kids all over Pine Harbor will enjoy it.”
“Oh, I’m sure they will.”
A snowball hit her back.
“You’re kidding.”
With a mischievous grin, Marco shook his head.
“Really? Oh, it’s on!” Lydia formed a snowball and ran after him. She took her best shot but missed him.
“Aww. Nice try. You get a participation trophy!”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, wow. You have just awoken a sleeping snowman!”
As he taunted her without even bothering to make another snowball, she landed one on his chest that sent flakes flying onto his face and hair. He gave chase and caught her by the waist, and they landed in a freshly plowed pile of snow.
“Be careful. It would be a shame to get snow on that red hair.”
“Auburn.” She gathered her hair behind her.
“Wait. Hold it right there.”
“Why?”
“So I can put this handful of snow down the back of your neck.” He grinned deviously.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh, yes, I would—unless…”
She tried to wriggle out of his arms. “Unless what?”
“Unless you kiss me.”
Her shoulders relaxed, and she turned around. Smiling sweetly, she started to put her arms around his neck, then she pushed his handful of snow into his face and burst into peals of laughter.
Marco laughed, too, and, leaving the melting snow on his face, took hers in his hands and kissed her. She squealed at the coldness of the snow, then she kissed him back.
He brushed snow from her face and said, “Another one to add to the ten thousand memories.”
No longer laughing, Lydia put her arms about Marco’s neck, and they held one other.
From her upstairs apartment, Eve gazed out the window. “Lydia’s home—with Marco.”
Dylan joined Eve and put his arm around her. “Those look like two people in love.”
Eve slipped her arm around Dylan’s waist and smiled.
Seventeen
The sun set on Christmas Eve at the brewpub. They’d closed early for the holiday, but preparations were afoot for a party. Their circle of friends had all received cryptic social media invitations to “an important holiday event” via personal message. By five o’clock, nearly everyone had arrived.
Caroline asked Theo, “What is this about?”
With a glint in his eye, Theo said, “I’m not at liberty to say.”
Kim leaned on the bar. “Oh, come on! It’s not nice to keep secrets!”
“It’s not my secret to tell.”
With a determined expression, Kim looked around and took attendance, counting on her fingers. “Theo and Marco, obviously, since you own the place. Allie’s here, duh, because of Theo. But Allie, Caroline, and I form three-fifths of the lunch gang.”
Tilting her head, Caroline asked, “We’re a gang now?”
“Is crew better? I’m trying out names.”
Caroline studied Allie. “You don’t look nearly as curious as the rest of us are. You know something.”
Allie made a guilty face but said nothing.
Kim asked, “Speaking of the rest of us, where are Eve and Lydia?”
Before anyone could answer, the front door opened, letting in a freezing gust. In walked an unassuming gentleman in a topcoat. He had a thick shock of white hair. Theo rushed over to him and ushered him back to the kitchen.
Kim said, “He’s a little overdressed for a cook. And the bar’s closed, isn’t it?”
Theo returned with the mysterious gentleman, who had dispensed with his overcoat to reveal a wool suit, and led him to the window that looked over the harbor. Then he turned. He already had everyone’s attention. “Please sit down.”
Two small rows of seats were arranged facing the window. Everyone exchanged curious looks as they took their seats. The next moment, the wedding march played over the sound system.
Theo and Allie emerged from the kitchen together and stood on either side of the gentleman at the window. Then Dylan and Eve, who had a bouquet in hand, joined them and stood facing the stranger.
The dapper gentleman began, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here…” and a wedding proceeded. Surprised expressions gave way to a few teary eyes as the minister pronounced Dylan and Eve husband and wife. As he said it, light snow drifted down through the windows behind him.
He’d barely gotten out, “You may now kiss the bride,” when Kim leaped to her feet and burst into applause.
Dylan and Eve turned to face everyone. “Surprise!”
As everyone surrounded the newlyweds with well-wishes and questions, Mel took a flute