Christmas Card Crush

Olivia felt sure Julian was sneaking glances at her in the same way that she peeked shyly at him when she thought he couldn’t see.

“Have you opened that package?” Olivia winced as her mom asked by phone the same question she’d already posed twice by text. “I stuck an Advent calendar in there. You don’t want the chocolates to melt.”

“I will. I promise. I’ve just been busy.” Olivia had invented reasons to be busy to avoid thinking about the upcoming holidays. Between the loss of Gram just before Thanksgiving and the anniversary of her break-up approaching, she couldn’t imagine celebrating. Counting down to Christmas was the last thing she wanted to do.

Luckily, before Mom could continue, the doorbell rang. Olivia took her opportunity to get out of the hot seat. Hanging up quickly, she went to the front window of her townhouse and peered out. It was Julian, the handsome blonde guy next door, holding an envelope.

“Did you get my mail again?” Olivia asked when she opened the door.

“Not this time.” Julian’s soft lips curved into a smile. Flourishing the envelope, he said, “It’s your Christmas card. It seemed silly to mail it.”

Olivia was stunned. “You got me a Christmas card?”

“Yeah,” Julian chuckled a bit. “Oh no, do you not celebrate Christmas? I should have thought –”

“No,” Olivia protested. “I mean, yes, I celebrate Christmas. But I don’t have anything for you.”

Julian dismissed her concern with a wave of the hand. “It’s the season of giving, not receiving. And since you said you’re not seeing family, I wanted to make sure you had some holiday cheer.”

“That’s really sweet,” Olivia said. “Can you come in for a peppermint tea?”

“I’d love that.”

In the kitchen, Olivia poured tea into two snowflake-covered mugs, then sat at the table across from Julian. As they sipped and chatted, she couldn’t help but think how cozy this was, the two of them together in their sweaters and sock feet. Every time she looked away, she felt sure Julian was sneaking glances at her in the same way that she peeked shyly at him when she thought he couldn’t see.

All too soon, he stood to leave. “I need to let the dog out,” he said. Was that an excuse?

Olivia walked him to the door, and he was almost over the threshold when he turned back.

“I really enjoyed this,” Julian said earnestly, his brown eyes dancing as he held her gaze.

“Are you free to go ice skating tomorrow?”

Before her brain fully processed what she was hearing, Olivia nodded. “Yes.”

“Great.” Julian sounded relieved. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow.” Sheepishly nodding, he headed for home.

When he was gone, Olivia stood with her back against the door, grinning like Buddy the Elf. Then, seeing the package from her mom still waiting on the coffee table, she went over and opened it, reaching inside to retrieve the Advent calendar. Heart still fluttering, she pried open the first little door and popped the tiny candy into her mouth. It was sweet like the man she’d be skating with tomorrow.