I don’t know why I ever look at social media. There’s always something posted that will inevitably upset me. Today, it’s the post Shelby Whittensby made a few nights ago, showing the world aka Ramona Falls, a picture of her, her daughter, Holly and Aiden, posing together in front of her tree. I know it’s her tree because I had the privilege of decorating Aiden’s. Was it a privilege or did I invite myself to take part in something he was doing with his daughter because I wanted to be there? I’ve been asking myself this question ever since this picture was posted. I hate second-guessing myself as much as I hate the hashtags Shelby added to her post: family, Christmas and love.

Love, really? Are they in love or does she just love the photo? It’s really hard to tell because his arm is around her and they look happy. So ridiculously happy, the sight of them makes my stomach hurt. She’s pretty and perfect for him, and I’m envious. Jealous because I thought Aiden and I had something and I’m bothered by his relationship with Shelby because we almost kissed, twice or was it three times? Was I misreading the situation or did he realize I’m no good for him so he’s doing what’s right for his family?

“Will you stop looking at your phone?” Mindy hisses across the table. Calvin chuckles, but otherwise doesn’t say anything. The restaurant we’re in is full, and I’ve already been approached for autographs, which I signed of course, but refused to pose for pictures. I’d like to be left alone while on vacation, but being back home means I have to be a bit flexible.

“I can’t help it, Min. Look at them!” I turn the screen so she can see the same picture I’ve been showing her non-stop since it appeared on her timeline. Mindy may be my best friend, but she liked the photo because it’s the nice “town” thing to do. “You should’ve used the mad emoji or something.”

“You’re being petty.”

I roll my eyes and take a sip of my wine. “I’m not.”

“You are,” Calvin chimes in. “You’re not dating him and in a few weeks you’ll be back in California, forgetting everyone and everything in Ramona Falls. Let the man find a bit of happiness.”

I glare at Calvin, hating the fact that he’s right. After Christmas, I have to go back, even though I intended to stay until the New Year. The director of my recent project has called for reshoots and since I conveniently didn’t leave the country, he was able to harass my agent enough, who insisted I return home to get them done.

“Unless you’re telling us something else, D. Are you falling for Aiden Fisher?” Mindy’s eyes never leave mine as she takes a drink of her wine. I pick mine back up and finish it off, avoiding her question. Calvin laughs, and my kneejerk reaction is to kick him. Thankfully, no one can see under our table, otherwise I’d be all over social media for abusing my bodyguard.

“I’m not saying anything.”

“You don’t have to. It’s written all over your face.” Mindy’s wrong. I’m stoic when it comes to my emotions. I’ve learned over the years to hide them, especially from the paparazzi.

Speaking of, the man a few tables away is staring. Each time I look over, he smiles and it takes me a minute to remember I’ve seen him before. I lean into Calvin and say as quietly as possible, “There’s a man two tables over to the left. He looks familiar and this is the second time I’ve seen him. Where do I know him from?”

Calvin, being not the so subtle man he is, turns in his chair and looks. He’s not shy about lingering either or letting the man know he’s paying attention to him now. When Calvin turns back to the table, his face pales, which is saying a lot.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“He’s paps.”

“What? Are you sure? What’s he doing here?” I make an ill-fated attempt at keeping my voice down, but to no avail. The people next to us are now looking. I smile, but know it comes off as a grimace.

“Wait a minute, this is the guy from the lounge the other night. I remember him,” Mindy says. “He totally creeped you out, D.” I look again and nod because she’s right.

“What do you mean?” Calvin asks. He looks from Mindy to me, except when he makes eye contact with me, he’s glaring. Oops. I suppose I should’ve told him.

“I bought him a drink.” I hang my head, waiting for Calvin to rip into me. When he doesn’t, I glance at him, only to see him seething, trying to keep his temper in check.

“Continue.”

“Right, so you guys were at the hockey game and I went out with my mom, Mindy and Eileen. We went to New Hampshire to this cute lounge for some drinks. He was sitting at the bar when I went up to order a drink and I bought him one. He seemed nice, until he looked at me and I felt something off about him.”

“You told me you’d stay home.”

I reach over and place my hand on top of his. Calvin takes his job very seriously and had he known I was planning to go out, he would’ve never gone with the guys and I didn’t want him to feel like he was just here to work. “I’m sorry. I know and I should’ve told you, but I honestly didn’t think anything of it. But now—”

“But now, he’s showing up in other places because I saw him at the festival,” Mindy adds. Calvin grumbles something very profane and clenches his jaw. I need to help Mindy understand there’s a time and place to drop these kind of bombs. This is definitely not one of those times.

“I can’t do my job, Delaney, if you’re not being honest with me. It’s one thing if you’re out with your dad, Dominic or Aiden, but when you’re vulnerable with no one to protect you—”

“Hey!” Mindy yells loudly and punches Calvin in the shoulder. This proves to be a mistake since she’s shaking her hand out. “We wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”

“But you wouldn’t know to protect her either from someone like him.”

Calvin has a point. I never thought the paparazzi would show up here, let alone during the holidays when there are so many more important people to follow around Los Angeles or in some tropical destination. Who in their right mind visits the land of frozen trees, knee-deep snow and wind chill temperatures below twenty? I wouldn’t, not if my family didn’t live here.

Calvin excuses himself and goes over to the man. I can’t tell what’s going on, by the way he’s standing, but I have a feeling my bodyguard is telling him exactly where he needs to be and it isn’t Ramona Falls. When he comes back, his shoulders are square and he’s pulling my chair out. “We’re leaving.”

“Okay.” I know better than to argue with him. Mindy and I grab our things and she drops a few twenties down on the table to pay for our appetizer and drinks. “What about shopping?” I ask, hesitantly. Our plan today was to do some Christmas shopping. We only stopped to have lunch, which has turned out to be a complete failure.

“If you insist, but take this warning to heart. I’m not going to leave your side.”

“Duly noted.” I thread my arm into his as he leads me to the SUV. Behind me, Mindy is chuckling, at what, I don’t know. Maybe she finds it funny that he’s actually the boss. I suppose in a sense he is.

Calvin dutifully drives Mindy and I to the outdoor mall. Of course, it’s snowing and we have to bundle up. As soon as Mindy and I see Starbucks, we head in for venti peppermint mochas. Calvin says he doesn’t want one, but ends up with his own regardless. Deep down, I know he loves them, but will never admit it.

Outside, I spin in a circle with my arms spread out wide and my head tilted back. The white lights that connect from each building light the cobblestone walkway, casting the perfect holiday glow. “I love it here,” I say to anyone listening. “Don’t you?” I look at Calvin, who’s shaking his head. “Come on, Calvin. It’s December, Christmas is in the air and look at the storefronts, they’re beautiful, and the music… don’t you want to sing?”

“No, Delaney. I want to go inside where it’s warm.”

“Don’t be a scrooge.”

“He’s right though, D. It’s cold. Come on, let’s shop. I have kids to buy for.”

Grudgingly, I follow behind Calvin and Mindy as if I’ve been scolded. After making snow angels with Holly the other day, I’ve had a strong urge to play in the snow. Maybe I missed being home during winter more than I thought.

Our first stop is this cute little kids’ store. It’s a place I’ve never been to before, but there’s a special little girl in my heart I want to shop for. Mindy gives me a look that I easily brush off. Each dress, tutu, leggings, every little girl item I pick up, I love, and they get added to the pile forming in Calvin’s arms.

“You’re going overboard,” Mindy says as she hands me an outfit her daughter will like. I feel bad I haven’t spent anytime with her children yet, but I plan on it. The closer we get to Christmas the more I’ll be over at her house, celebrating with them.

With one store down, we stop at another and so on. At each one, I find things Holly needs. Giant teddy bears, tiaras, dolls, every art supply possible. Everything I see, I pick up and hand to Calvin.

“Are you sure Aiden will be okay with this?” he asks after the fifth, sixth or tenth store. We’ve been to so many now, I’ve lost count.

“Why wouldn’t he be? I’m only picking up a few things.”

“A few?” Mindy questions. “I think you’ve single-handedly helped each store meet their holiday quota for sales.”

“I have not.”

“You have. I’ve made three trips to the car already,” Calvin says.

“What’s your point?”

“Our…” Mindy scoffs and points back and forth between Calvin and her. “Point is, Aiden lives a really simple life since Heather died. Holly’s going to think everyone is like you, and the sad reality is, they’re not.”

I understand what Mindy’s saying, but I don’t want to believe I’m doing anything wrong. The conclusion I come to, is Aiden needs the same treatment. He probably hasn’t bought himself anything new since his wife passed away. He’s so focused on Holly, he’s likely forgetting about himself.

However, I do what my friends suggest and tone it down, even as I continue to shop. Everything I pick up, Mindy and Calvin shake their heads. I finally give up and start buying for my parents and Dominic. Everything Calvin likes, I sneak one in for him and Aiden too.

On the drive home, I sit in the back and stare out the window, tuning the chatter between Calvin and Mindy out. I like the idea of making Holly and Aiden’s Christmas better. I have the means to do it, but I don’t want him to think I’m trying to come between him and Shelby.

Calvin drops Mindy off at her house, helping her with her packages. I hug her goodbye, telling her I have the festival play this weekend, and she promises to be there. Mindy also reminds me about the policeman’s party on Friday night, telling me I should go. I don’t know if my presence would be such a good idea, but I don’t tell her that.