Page 22 of A Curvy Carol

Regardless of my inner turmoil, Whit looked as cute as ever, and I was sure he was just being nice to me. That was all. I opened my mouth to tell him good night when he leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

My mouth fell open. Then I saw him watching me and closed it.

“Just following tradition,” he said, grinning and shoving his hands in his pockets. “Good night, Christmas Carol.”

And with that, he was gone.

Meanwhile, my heart raced at about a hundred miles per hour as I watched him disappear into the night, and I lifted my hand to my cheek.

12

WHIT

The last time I’d seen Carolynn, we’d ended up under some mistletoe, so I’d given her a kiss on the cheek.

And ever since, I couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever see me as more than a friend.

I had no idea.

I did know Carolynn and I were on a roll with our list.

The next day, we planned to attend a candy-making class, which I was definitely excited about.

Garland had some of the best candy I’d ever tasted, but especially the best candy canes. We were supposed to. Make some in the class today.

Carolynn met me at Candy Cane Co., and after a quick, friendly greeting, we went inside.

There were a few other people there for the class, mostly kids.

The owner, Mr. Cole, was there to teach us himself. He pointed to some aprons hanging on the wall. “Before we begin, you’ll need to put those on.”

I grabbed a couple and went back to the counter.

“Thanks,” Carolynn said as I handed her one.

These aprons were definitely not normal aprons. They were bright green and designed to make you look like an elf.

I put mine on, doing my best to tie it in the back.

Carolynn was trying to do the same before saying, “How about we give each other a hand?”

“Good idea,” I replied, turning around.

She tied mine, and then I did the same for her. My hands shook as I worked the straps around her curves, and I swore I heard her breath hitch as my fingers brushed her back over her white sweater.

But any tension between us eased when we saw each other. I had to say, we looked pretty ridiculous.

Even more so when we pulled on some hairnets next.

Giggling, she snuck out her phone and snapped a picture of me. But I got her back by taking a picture of her, too. She looked so cute, laughing and trying to hide her face behind her phone.

The class made the funny outfits totally worth it, though. We learned how to roll and shape the candy. Then we got to pick our own colors.

“I’m definitely feeling the green,” I told Carolynn. “Maybe with some blue. What do you think?”

“Part of me wants to go classic red, but I think I’m going to do purple and pink. Just to be a rebel.” She winked. It was the cutest thing ever.

I nodded, trying to play it cool. “Solid choice.”