The Saturday after Thanksgiving was one of my favorite days of the year. Everyone all over the country celebrated the small businesses they loved. But me? I did that every day because living in a small town meant small businesses were all we had. No big box stores or super stores existed within an hour of where we were. And after only shopping at places like that in my old life, it was nice to know I was helping small businesses every day.
But since I did live in MacKellar Cove, and we did do things differently, we still celebrated Small Business Saturday. We just did it with a party in Catherine Park. A party for everyone in town to come and say hi and start their holiday shopping.
Hudson always set up a hot chocolate station for the event. We gave away cups of hot chocolate to everyone who came through, welcoming them to the event and helping them find what they were looking for. This year, we were next to the Cracked booth where Blake was handing out muffins.
“I love this town,” Blake said with a wide grin. Her cheeks were red from the cold. She rubbed her hands together.
“Me, too. I can’t imagine what it was like to grow up here,” I said.
“It was stifling at times. As a kid, you always want what you don’t have. I thought getting away was the answer sometimes, but now, I can’t imagine ever living anywhere else.”
“Neither can I,” I admitted honestly.
“Where did you live before you moved here? Because I know you aren’t from here.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m not. I lived in Pennsylvania but grew up in Massachusetts.”
“There aren’t any small towns like this in either state?”
I shook my head again. “Not where I lived.” I handed another person a cup of hot chocolate and looked to the next customer. Oh, crap.
“Hi, Piper. How are you?”
“Um, hi…Gavin. I’m good.”
“Good. This is an interesting event. Does the town do this every year?”
I nodded. “Yep. Small towns like to do things to bring people together. And it’s a great chance to start some shopping. If you haven’t already.”
“Do you know if there are any toy stores around here?”
“Just Playing has some great things. I, um, I didn’t realize you have kids.”
Gavin shook his head and smiled. “My niece and nephew. I’m trying to talk my sister into coming here for Christmas. She’s unsure right now.”
“Oh, um, cool. Well, good luck.”
He nodded. “Thanks.”
I smiled at the next person in line and avoided looking at Blake. I could feel her gawking at me, which only made my already burning cheeks flame more.
When the crowd in front of me finally calmed down, Blake hissed, “Who was that?”
I looked at the person who just walked by and shrugged. “Not sure. Maybe Irene’s son?”
“Not him,” she groaned. “Gavin.” She drew his name out like a child teasing me on the playground.
“He’s no one,” I assured her.
“Then why are your cheeks red?”
“Hello, it’s winter.”
She pursed her lips and crossed her arms. “You’re lying. And your cheeks aren’t red from the cold. They’re red from some serious heat between you two.”
“Heat between who?” Ian asked, sliding an arm around Blake’s waist and pulling her against his body. “Us?”
Blake kissed him and shook her head. “Yes, but I was talking about Piper and Gavin. Do you know Gavin?”
“Do you mean Gina Holbrook’s nephew?”
“That’s Gavin Holbrook?” Blake gasped. She looked at me for confirmation.
“Um, yes. Why?”
“He’s hot. You should totally go out with him.”
I shook my head. “I’m not interested.”
“Why not? He’s totally cute, he clearly likes you, and you obviously like him. How do you know him?”
“He came into O’Kelley’s the other night. He walked me home.”
“He walked you home?” Blake asked.
“Yes. He lives in Pittsburgh and was all weird about me walking home alone at night.”
“You do need to be careful, even though this is MacKellar Cove,” Ian said.
I nodded. “I know. And I usually call or text Sofia when I’m leaving so she knows I’m on my way. Half the time Hudson will walk me home.”
“But Gavin did. Very sweet of him.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t even start. I’m not looking for a man.”
“I wasn’t looking either. Love doesn’t wait for you to be ready.”
I grinned at the two of them. Blake and Ian were a good couple. I knew they had their bumps, especially when they first got together, but not everyone was like them. Not everyone was made to be a part of a couple. I learned my lesson about trusting men years ago. I was not willing to learn it all over again. I was open to fun or friendship, but I was not interested in the f-word that ended with heartbreak. Feelings were not in my wheelhouse.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready. And I don’t think it matters. Me and relationships don’t mix,” I told them.
Ian shook his head. “I was like you, but I was just waiting for Blake to notice me. You’ll find someone.”
I smiled at him and nodded. It was the only thing I could do. People assumed I was only saying I wasn’t interested in a relationship because I wasn’t in one. I knew plenty of people like that, who claimed they were focusing on themselves or work or something when really they were hoping someone would come along and sweep them off their feet. If that worked for them, I was all for it. But that wasn’t what I was doing. I was done with relationships. Finding my live-in boyfriend balls deep in a coworker’s mouth changed my mind about ever trusting someone, or ever wanting someone to have that much power over my emotions.
The good thing was it didn’t hurt me that much. I knew I deserved better, and I walked away without looking back. Away from the apartment, the job we both worked at, and the boyfriend. I packed up my belongings and drove north until I ended up in MacKellar Cove. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. But the idea of having to start over again guaranteed that I wouldn’t risk being that vulnerable ever again.
No matter how cute the guy was.
“That was a great suggestion,” Gavin said, joining us again with a wide smile and a sparkle in his damn eye. Why did he have to be so good looking?
“What was?” Ian asked.
“Piper told him where he could buy toys for his niece and nephew. Ian, have you met Gavin Holbrook?”
“Ian Jameson,” Gavin said.
“Uh, I guess we do know each other?” Ian said.
Gavin shook his head. “No, sorry. I feel a little starstruck sometimes. I always looked up to you guys, wishing I was a part of your group. It seems so foolish now that I was afraid to walk up to you and invite myself to hang out.”
Ian chuckled. “High school is supposed to be the time you feel awkward about everything and look back and think the only thing that was awkward was the fact that everyone was. But hey, nice to meet you. You should come hang out with us at O’Kelley’s on Thursday night. A few of the guys I grew up with all get together every week. You can fan-boy on all of us at once.”
Gavin laughed and nodded. He rubbed his jaw. “Sounds good. I’ll try not to embarrass myself.”
“So, how long are you in town for?” Ian asked.
Gavin shrugged and sighed. “I’m not sure. I thought a few weeks, but it’s looking like it might be a few months instead.”
“Ouch. Is there that much work to be done?” Ian asked.
Gavin nodded. “Yeah, and we can’t get started on much until after the holidays. Aunt Gina has the place booked solid into January. She forgot to mention that part.”
“That should be good news, though, right?” Ian asked.
“It should be, but I wasn’t counting on it. I thought I could help her fix up the things that are in need of it right now and whoever bought the place could make decisions about major repairs. With the Inn booked, we’re going to have to work around guests. And being there I’ve learned there are some things that can’t wait for another owner. The heat in that place is almost nonexistent, so it needs an overhaul. Like, yesterday.”
“If you need any help, let me know. I have an easy few weeks, so I’m happy to pitch in and get my hands dirty if you need an extra set,” Ian said.
Gavin nodded. “Thanks. I just might take you up on that offer.”
“You should. And you should come to O’Kelley’s Thursday. We can probably talk a few more of them into helping out, too.”
“I appreciate that.” Gavin turned toward me. “It was good to see you again, Piper.”
“You, too,” I said with a small smile.
Gavin waved and walked away from the park. I might have stared after him. And I might have checked out his butt. And I definitely got caught.
“Ahem,” Blake said.
My cheeks burned again. “What? Just because I’m not interested doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the scenery.”
Blake snorted. “I can definitely appreciate that.”
The rest of the event went well, and Hudson sent another server to relieve me after a few hours. I spent the evening watching holiday movies with Sofia on the couch and decorating the small tree we put up in our living room.
Sunday afternoon, Sofia asked if she could come with me to girls’ night.
“Of course,” I told her. “You’re welcome to come any time. You know that.”
She shrugged. “I just don’t know them well and feel weird.”
“Yes, well, the way to get to know them better is to go and get to know them. I don’t know them well yet either.”
“But you’ve talked to them a lot more than I ever have. I always wonder if they’re silently judging me.”
I shook my head and took her hands. “No one there is judging you. They’re good people. They intimidate me, too, but I’ve never heard any of them talk about another one behind their backs. Not in a mean way. They worry about each other, but they’re not cruel.”
Sofia drew a breath and nodded. “I’ll go get ready.”
I looked at her sweatpants and oversized sweatshirt. “You really don’t have to change. I was planning to go like this.” I gestured to my leggings and long, red sweater. I was getting into the Christmas spirit and wearing red or green every day.
“You look a lot better than I do.”
I shook my head at her back. “You still look awesome.”
She waved and closed the door to her room. I finished my homemade pizza and cleaned up the remnants of dinner then went to my room to brush my hair and tie it back in a ponytail.
The cold made us both cringe the moment we stepped outside, so we decided to drive over to Book Boyfriends Unlimited. I parked near the front of the store and we raced to the door and knocked.
Finley let us in and hugged both of us before leading us back to where the others were sitting and already eating chocolate cake.
“Hey, guys,” Blake said. “Karissa made her mom’s double chocolate cake with chocolate ganache. I think I’m going to leave Ian for this cake. You should get some before I devour all of it.”
Karissa laughed at Blake’s assessment but handed over two slices of the cake before Blake could get more. “She’s been begging me to make this for months. It was one of my mom’s specialties. She loved Christmas.”
“She did. She would go all out. I think she bought gifts for half the town,” Finley said.
Karissa laughed. “I think she did. She was always the first in line when it came to giving back to people and doing her part to help others.”
“She was an amazing person,” Elise said. “Hey, what do you guys think about doing something like that? Getting gifts for people or sponsoring a family or something.”
“I think that could be a lot of fun,” Laura said. “There are definitely a lot of families I know that are having a hard time this year. Not only with cancer, but with keeping their spirits up. I could ask Dr. Allison about having a box of gifts so people can choose one when they come in.”
“That’s a really good idea,” Trinity said. “I think that would be fun.”
“Hudson might be willing to do something. Or at least help get the word out. When you guys did that event over the summer at Oak Hill, he was all in,” I said.
“I wonder if Gavin would be willing to do something. Maybe host something at the Inn,” Blake said with a smirk pointed in my direction.
“Who’s Gavin?” Finley asked.
“Gavin Holbrook,” Blake said with a smile. “Piper’s new boyfriend.”
“He is not,” I protested.
“Not yet,” Blake said. “He likes her, though.”
“He walked her home the other night,” Sofia added.
I turned wide, shocked eyes to her. “Don’t help them.”
Sofia shrugged and grinned. “Maybe I’m trying to help you.”
I grumbled, but it didn’t stop any of them.
“Is he cute?”
“Did you kiss him?”
“Is he good in bed?”
“Elise!” Melody exclaimed.
“What?” Elise said. “I want to know. Sex isn’t worth it if it sucks. Well, sucking is good, but not sucking. You know?”
“Oh, my God, kill me now,” I mumbled. “I haven’t kissed him or slept with him, so I have no opinion on either.”
“But you didn’t say anything about how cute he is,” Laura said.
“He’s very cute,” Blake said. “He was shopping yesterday for his niece and nephew. Very dedicated uncle.”
“Aw,” they all chorused. “That’s so sweet.”
“And good to know he’s cute,” Elise said.
I shook my head and took another bite of cake. I chewed while they talked around me.
“Is he living here now?” Laura asked.
“No,” Blake said. “He’s staying here for a little while to help Gina fix up the Inn. It sounds like he’s heading back home eventually. Ian offered to help him with repairs if he needs it. And invited him to guys’ night.”
“Ooh, we’ll definitely get more information after that,” Trinity said.
“Yep. And bring him into our circle so Piper can get to know him,” Blake added.
“I don’t need to get to know him. I’m not interested in dating,” I argued.
“We all said that,” Elise said. “It was a load of crap for all of us.”
“No, Piper doesn’t date,” Sofia said. “She doesn’t mind hooking up with a guy, but she doesn’t date.”
“Well, he’s not here forever, so that works,” Melody said.
“I’m not looking for anything. A date, a hookup, even a new friend. Not him,” I said.
“Because he’s cute?” Laura asked.
I shook my head. “Because he’s the kind of guy who makes women forget all about why they aren’t dating.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Blake said.
Finley shook her head. “No, I don’t think she means it sweet. I think she means it as she’s been hurt and she’s not interested in going down that road again. What happened?”
I shook my head, frustrated that Finley was able to figure that out. “I just learned my lesson. I don’t trust men to be the people they say they’re going to be, so it’s easier if I never let them close enough to try.”
“You’re going to be single forever? You have no interest in dating or falling in love or anything?” Laura asked.
I shrugged. “No. I don’t. I’ve done that, and it crashed and burned. Before I lived here, I was a different person, and I’m not interested in being that person again.”
“Wow. I can’t imagine not wanting a relationship. I feel like that makes me shallow, but I want to be with someone. I want to have what these ladies have. I want someone to go home to at night and someone to cuddle with and watch movies or go to dinner with. I want all of that,” Laura said.
I smiled. “It doesn’t make you shallow. I think I’m just damaged goods. My mom has been remarried four times. My dad stopped getting married and just shacks up with younger and faker women until he gets sick of them. My ex was someone I thought I matched with, but it wasn’t right. I haven’t seen a lot of normal, healthy relationships in my life. I’m just not interested in trying to create one when I don’t think they exist. And I’d rather be alone and happy than together and miserable. Plus, I have Sofia to watch TV with and go to dinner.”
“I’ll buy you a stuffed animal to cuddle with,” Sofia said.
The others burst out laughing.
“Thanks, Sof. See, now I have everything I need,” I told them.
They nodded and let it go, moving on to another topic. I was able to fade back into the background, where I wanted to be after revealing so much information about myself.
Now, to keep my plans on track and to avoid Gavin and his sexy smile and too charming attitude. I just needed to survive until he moved back home. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about how intoxicating the holiday season was or how much a part of me wanted the same thing Laura did.
I wasn’t going to get a normal relationship like the others had. I made my decision, and I was going to stick with it. No matter what.
