“That’s an awesome idea.” The excitement in Grace’s voice camethrough loud and clear. Had she really missed Dex that much?
“Great.” She tried to make sure she matched Grace’s excitement.“How’s the food booth closest to the front entrance at two o’clock?” She usedto love it when she made Grace that happy, but today would be laced withtrepidation.
“Which booth?” Grace’s voice rose.
“Helmut’s Strudel. You know. The pastries you love?”
“Okay. Gotcha. Make sure you have your phone. I’ll text you whenwe get there.”
Dex let out a breath as she ended the call. And the boss is back.She picked up the next charcoal hoodie in the pile and slipped it over her headbefore she put on her fur-lined, lace-up boots. Now she just had to break thenews to Emma.
* * *
When Dex called Emma and told her they were meeting Grace andBrent at the market, Emma immediately sent Brent a text asking him not to come.His response, Toolate, already told her yes, was disappointing. Emma was lookingforward to spending a fun day with Dex, but Grace would make that a challenge.Experience told her that Grace would be needy enough to keep both Brent and Dexon a leash catering to her wants. Maybe this was the test she needed to see ifDex really was over Grace and truly wanted to be in a relationship with her, orif she was just a passing distraction.
They waited at the strudel stand by the entrance. Grace and Brentwere late, as usual. Emma took in a deep breath, trying to hide her irritation.Grace would never put up with this if the situation were reversed.
“Do you want something to eat while we wait?” Dex pointed to theline at the pretzel booth that had dramatically shortened while they’d beenstanding there.
“That sounds good,” she said. It might improve her mood a littleas well if she got some food into her stomach. She’d been so worried about whatto wear that she hadn’t eaten this morning. She’d settled on blue skinny jeansand a long-sleeved navy T-shirt, layered with a purple cable-knit sweater.She’d finally left the house prepared for the cold weather in her mid-lengthblack wool coat and Ugg boots, topped off with a gray slouch beanie.
Dex came back with the food, and the two of them settled in on abench. Emma’s mood lightened as they shared a pretzel and watched people enter.They were all so happy, a signal that the holiday season was beginning. She’dalways loved the holidays, the way the air changed, aromas that brought hersenses alive, and a briskness that tickled her skin. Soon Christmas lightswould blanket the neighborhoods and all would be bright. Dex wrapped her armaround Emma’s shoulder in a kind of possessiveness that Emma thoroughlyenjoyed, and she warmed inside. Life was good.
“We finally found you.”
Emma jumped when Grace’s voice raked across her. She’d never getused to that imitation sweetener she doled out. “We’ve only been waiting for,what, an hour?”
Grace narrowed her eyes. “Well, if someone had given me the rightinformation, we would’ve been here sooner.” She sliced a glance at Dex.
“I told you the Helmut’s Strudel booth by the east entrance.”
“That explains it. We went to the Dinkel’s booth,” Brent said.
They wandered up and down the booths with Emma gripping Dex’s handas they trudged through the crowd. She’d only ever been there early in the dayand hadn’t realized how busy it got in the afternoon. It was becomingexhausting. They’d barely been able to snag a table when they’d stopped forbeer and pretzels in the beer garden. The brass band was fantastic, playing waltzes,polkas, and foxtrots. Emma could’ve sat there for the rest of the eveninglistening and watching people dressed in authentic German clothing dancethroughout the tent. But that was short-lived, because Grace wanted to see moreof the market and insisted she and Dex go with them.
“Hey, look at this guy over here.” Brent pointed to the guycarving one-of-a-kind nutcrackers, and he and Grace stopped to watch.
“Have you ever had the mulled wine here?” Dex asked Emma.
Emma smiled. “Yes. It’s awesome.”
“Great. I’ll get us some.” Dex sprinted to the booth while thethree of them watched the wood-carver.
When Dex came back with the wine, Grace glanced at her and thenthe mugs in her hands. “You didn’t bring me one?”
“Oh, sorry.” Dex started back toward the drink stand.
“Can’t Brent get it for her?” Emma nudged Brent in the shoulder.“Grace wants some mulled wine.”
“Okay. Hang on. I want to watch this guy finish making this. He’salmost done.” He pointed to the wood-carver. “Isn’t this nutcracker awesome?”
Dex waved him off. “I got it.”
Emma tilted her head and widened her eyes. “Seriously?”
“I’ll be right back.” Dex gave Emma’s arm a quick squeeze.
“I’ll come with you,” Grace said as she reached for Dex’s hand andclasped it. After what appeared to be an awkward moment, Dex released it. Gracetook it again and bolted to a stop, halting Dex along with her. Emma couldn’ttell what they were saying, but Grace had the usual scowl on her face, andDex’s face was blank.
Emma spun around to Brent. “You suck.”
“What?” He veered his gaze from the carving for a moment. “Why?”
“My date is taking care of your wife.”
“She was going there anyway.” He shrugged and pointed at thethree-foot-tall nutcracker for sale. “I’m going to buy one of these for Grace.”
“Don’t you think that’s a tad big?” Grace would probably neverallow the monstrosity in her house.
He lifted the lever embedded in the back of it. “It actuallycracks nuts.”
“They all do. Hence the name nutcracker.”
“Whatever. I’m buying it, and she’s going to love it.” He took outhis wallet. “You’ll see.”
Emma watched Dex as she moved through the crowd coming toward her.She was absolutely beautiful, with pink cheeks and reddened lips. Thearmy-green parka, which she wore zipped only halfway up, fit her well, andsomething about the way the charcoal hoodie underneath clung to her made Emmawant to explore the treasures hidden beneath it.
When they finally made it through the crowd, Dex quickly went toEmma’s side and traded cups with
