Chapter 26—Andi: December 23rd

How was it all going so smoothly? The worst part of her parents’ visit so far was that they both seemed to love Tim—well, Jackson. Watching the three of them interact, it was safe to say they wouldn't have liked the real Tim at all.

And, it had taken her dad a little longer to get to that point, but she could tell by watching the two of them interact now that the big softy had come around. It made her feel good—and also terrible. How was she going to tell them the truth now? Would it be better to just tell them they broke up? Something about that didn’t feel right either. What if, somehow, she and Jackson started dating or something? Not that she even knew if he was interested.

It was probably ridiculous, but there were moments where she felt things with Jackson that she’d never felt with Tim. Mostly because she felt things from Jackson that she’d never felt from Tim. He was so kind, and generous—his willingness to give up his holiday to spend it with her and her family only made her feelings for him stronger.

She also liked who she was around him. She had to regularly remind herself that they weren’t dating. She just felt so free to be herself. They got caught under some mistletoe a few days after her parents' arrival. A scene that invigorated and terrified her.

"Oh," her mother said when she saw them. "You two have to kiss. It's bad luck if you don't."

Andi hesitated before reaching up on her tiptoes to kiss him. She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her lips against his. His lips were soft and warm, despite the chill, and he had the slightest stubble that tickled against her face. As she kissed him, the initial tension eased, and she found herself moving instinctively to wrap her arms around his neck.

When sanity returned to her, she gasped and pulled away, despite the fact that all she really wanted to do in that moment was kiss him harder and longer. She put a hand to her lips and took a step back. She wasn’t trying to rub off the kiss so much as she was trying to hide the smile that she couldn’t contain. She was embarrassed, but she was also excited. Could there maybe be room for something there...one day?

She had to stop herself there. A kiss wasn’t enough to go down a road like that. She didn’t know if he was actually interested, or if he was just helping her. He was a nice guy, and for all she knew, she just attacked the poor man in the name of Christmas tradition.

Plus, was it weird to have these thoughts so soon after ending a relationship? She had no idea. The more time she had away from Tim, the more she realized that their relationship ended long before that night in the restaurant. That night was just the final nail in the coffin.

And now, here they all were. The day before Christmas Eve. The bakery case was stocked. The freezer, baker’s racks, and every free surface in The Cozy Cup’s kitchen was full to the brim with gingerbread house kits, cookies, breads, and other delicious treats for the following day’s festival. Her parents were set to leave the day after Christmas, and it appeared as if everything was going according to plan.

When are you going to talk to me? Andi read Tim’s text while she sipped a new and delicious coffee drink Jackson made for her.

She put the phone in her pocket and didn’t respond. It was getting easier to ignore him every day. She didn’t even feel hurt. And some days, she wasn’t even annoyed. He was more like a gnat that occasionally buzzed around her.

“This is amazing,” Andi said to Jackson. The spices were powerful but perfectly balanced.

“I call this a gingerbread latte,” he said. “I know other places have their own versions, but I think you’ll like the flavor of this one.” He smiled as he watched her sip. “I took my cues for the sauce from your cookie recipe. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” she said. “That’s why I love it so much. The flavors are so strong. And it’s not overly sweet.”

Jackson’s smile was broad. He looked so proud. “Well, thanks for the inspiration,” he said.

“Anytime.” She couldn’t stop smiling at him. At everything. Life was good.

“So, dinner with your parents tonight since tomorrow will be full of festival stuff?” he asked her.

“Yep. That’s the plan.” She looked around at the accumulation of so much hard work. “Do you still think you’re going to have to sell to Demetri?” she asked him. It seemed such a shame. Jackson acted truly happy when he was working away in his coffeeshop. What would he do without it?

“Probably,” he said without looking up from his phone.

“Well, what if you found a new partner?” she asked—too chicken to come out and say the thing that she’d been thinking off and on for the last few days.

Jackson let out a dry laugh. “I won’t make that mistake again,” he said as he tucked his phone back into his pocket much like she’d done earlier.

Before the conversation could go any further, the crowd that had become their morning rush over the last few days walked in, and they both jumped up to get to work.