CHAPTER SEVEN
Close to one hundred people filled the enormous community hall, joining the town Christmas party. Most sat in groups, while a few brought food to the tables, like pasta bakes, sausage rolls, cakes, and trifles. Kids sprinted around the enormous Christmas tree.
Mac was right. No storm stopped the locals from turning up at this bash.
Paris eyed the lamingtons, unable to remember the last time she’d eaten one. Her dad made the best she’d ever had. His had the perfect mix of chocolate syrup and vanilla sponge cake along with a hint of coconut. Maybe she ought to taste these ones and compare?
Back in Melbourne, she worked so hard to tame her curves by visiting the gym every day and watching what she ate. But here, a sense of liberation wormed through her without judgement from her peers.
She picked up a smaller piece and took a bite. Heaven on her tongue. Christmas tunes playing overhead, along with the murmur of people’s voices. Comfort folded around Paris. Devouring the rest of the sweet, she closed her eyes and let herself drift to previous holidays in Yalgoo. Nope, she didn’t regret coming home. Something about the slow pace of life eased the knots in her muscles.
Someone touched her shoulder, and she turned, wiping her lips with a hand.
Jett stood there, one eyebrow cocked. “I spotted you sneaking in a bite. And you didn’t even offer me one?” He smirked and leaned past her, taking a piece and stuffing the whole thing into his mouth. Shredded coconut dotted his cheek. She reached over and dusted him clean, well aware that Jett loved all things sweet. Then again, so did she.
“Thanks.” Jett stared at her. Was he going to steal another kiss? She still trembled with need. The fact that, back in the living room, he hadn’t hesitated both excited and terrified her. He’d gone and shattered the barrier between them, the one where she pretended he didn’t want her, where she told herself the attraction lay in her head and getting her hopes high was a waste of time.
“Can’t believe how many people are here, you know with the storm and all,” she said to stop her thoughts whirling out of control. Part of her toyed with dragging Jett into a private room and finishing what they started. Except, then what? Her body craved him, yet her head screamed to find out who Jett was. He was not the guy she’d dated years ago. That Jett was quick to jump before he thought about things, he’d hated working for the family business, and he’d dreamed of leaving Yalgoo and following a career in either AFL or becoming a coach. Yet, the man standing in front of her was the opposite.
When he didn’t respond and kept staring, she wondered if he’d drag her into a back room.
Nerves got the better of her and words fell from her mouth. “So, tell me more about Ace. What’s he like? Does he live with you or his mum? Does he help with the sheep shearing?”
Yeah, sure, he might make fun of her grilling him, however, standing there in silence with Jett eying her left her in a state of uncertainty. And maybe them ending up kissing wasn’t such a good idea, especially with the way her mind was consumed by him. She was fascinated by the tiny dimple in his chin when he smiled, and her body tingled each time they touched. Those were signs of her falling for him—again. Emotions she thought she’d tucked away now crashed through her so powerfully, they threatened to bowl her over. And then what? She had a job to find in the city while Jett had a future in Yalgoo. He had admitted to loving the small town, but what did Yalgoo offer Paris? No job prospects, and she’d worked too long to walk away from her connections in the event planning industry.
“Ace is incredible. I never thought he’d alter my outlook on life, but he has, and I wouldn’t change my decision to adopt him. Wish he could be here. He’d love this party.”
She froze, cemented to the floorboards. “Wait. Adopt him? He’s not yours?”
Jett ran a hand through his hair, glancing at the kids chasing each other. “God no! But he is my son. My best mate and his girlfriend died in a horrific plane crash.” His brow creased and something dark shifted behind his eyes.
Paris held his hand, guilt chewing her from the inside out at judging him earlier. “Shit, I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”
“Anyway.” He cleared his throat. “Thankfully, Ace wasn’t on the flight and his grandparents took him in. They’re old and both need care provided in a nursing home. With no other siblings or cousins, I asked his grandparents if I could become Ace’s legal guardian. They agreed on one rule, that I stayed in Yalgoo so they were close to him. Worked for me.” He licked his lips and smiled, as if thinking of his son. And now she was convinced the man standing in front of her was not her ex, Jett, but someone completely and utterly different.
“I didn’t expect that. It’s beautiful of you to take Ace,” Paris said, unsure what she expected or why her throat tightened at the thought of Jett changing his life to help out a friend’s child.
“And I’d do it again.” His words were calm but held strength behind them.
“Jett,” Mac called out from a halfway across the room, his booming voice gaining everyone’s attention. “Got a sec, mate?”
Jett broke free from Paris’s hold. “I’ll be back.”
Paris studied his tight behind as he strutted toward his buddy, both of them vanishing in the crowds. Losing a friend and taking his child in as his own…. This wasn’t the Jett she remembered, yet he gave a young boy a great start at life and a loving family. And for that, Jett became a hero in Paris’s mind. Growing up, he had said he wanted to enjoy his life before ever considering having children, while she wanted them as soon as she got married. But now he’d gone and surprised her in the best possible way.
All these years, she’d judged him wrong. She should have contacted him earlier, or should have asked her parents about Jett instead of insisting they didn’t speak about him or his family. And she should have done more than worry just about herself.
Had she been selfish to focus on building a future for herself and holding onto assumptions that he cheated on her when he hadn’t? He might have selected an AFL career over her, but that was a different man to the one who picked her up from the airport, this amazing guy she’d be lucky to have now.
Her insides tore. They shared a kiss, and now her mind tumbled with confusion about her feelings. So for tonight, she’d push away the uncertainty, focus on having an incredible time, and avoid any preconceived ideas of Jett.
When a loud clang of bells rang, her attention was drawn to the centre of the hall. Everyone scattered outward, clearing a section right next to the Christmas tree sparkling with lights and dripping in a rainbow of baubles. Nearby stood a grand chair covered in a red fabric.
Paris threaded past everyone.
“Ho, ho, ho.” Santa emerged out from behind the tree. Clearly the person had stuffing in their costume. Their white beard and hat concealed their face.
She stepped forward for a better look when someone brushed against her, pushing ahead. Two young girls bumped into Paris, one accidentally treading on her foot as they rushed to join the other children. Their shouts and clapping momentarily drowned out the pounding rain. They watched Santa with huge eyes and gaping mouths. Their joy had Paris smiling, just like in her younger days when the whole community celebrated with a cricket game, barbecue, and presents handed out. Best times of her life.
“Sorry the girls pushed you, honey,” a female’s voice came from behind Paris. She turned to find a woman in her thirties with short-cropped chestnut hair grinning as she stared after the girls. “They’re excited to see Santa.”
“Well, he only visits once a year.” Paris laughed. “I remember how happy I’d get when I was their age.”
The woman patted Paris’s arm. “Me too. I still act that way most Christmases.” Her giggle was a duplicate of her daughters. “I heard someone say you’re a local. I haven’t seen you around.”
Paris nodded. “I grew up in Yalgoo, and I’m visiting for Christmas. I live in Melbourne now.”
The words sounded foreign on Paris’s lips. Being immersed in the town’s party and team spirit of families coming together awoke something within her—a longing she’d forgotten, reminding her where she belonged. Sure, she had friends in Melbourne and even dated a few guys, but it never left her warm from the inside out, craving to chat for hours, devouring the delicious food, or laughing. God, she missed home, and she couldn’t wait to see her parents.
“Ah, that explains why I haven’t seen you in Pinter before. But Jett’s giving you a lift, I hear.” She glanced around and whispered, “Jett’s a real catch. If I was younger….” She wiggled her eyebrows and burst out laughing. Then her face grew serious. “Oh, please tell me you’re not dating him, and I just admitted to ogling him?”
“No, we’re not. All good.” Paris often said the wrong thing at the wrong time, so that paralysing fear of making a fool of herself was more than familiar.
“Thank goodness. I have terrible foot-in-mouth disease.” She huddled close to Paris.
“Me too, so you’re in good company.” Paris liked this woman and her friendliness. She could imagine them sitting over coffee and chatting about the most boring topic and still making it fun.
“I don’t understand why no one’s caught his attention yet,” the woman said.
“Yeah, strange that.” Would part of that reason have to do with losing his friend and gaining a son?
“Anyhoo, how rude of me,” the woman said. “I’m Jen.”
“Paris.” She took Jen’s hand, glad to have made a new friend.
Just then, the kids howled with giggles, and Paris snapped to stare at the commotion. Staggering into the open arena was Jett, dressed in an elf’s green costume, complete with a pointy hat and shoes with bells on the toes. Presents were stacked high in his arms, balancing precariously on top of each other and covering his line of sight. Several other men carried more boxes into the room. Paris bet Ace would have loved to his see him dressed up this way. If it wasn’t raining, maybe some of the community from Yalgoo would have driven him to this Christmas party. But then again, if it weren’t for the storm, they wouldn’t be here either.
“Excuse me, Jen.” Paris rushed to Jett’s side as he stopped to fix his sliding presents. The moment Paris reached him, she caught a red box falling out of his arms. The masses broke into a cheer along with the hollering excitement of the children. There had to be at least thirty of the little ones.
“Got it,” she said.
Jett grinned. “You’d make an amazing elf.”
She leaned closer. “Only if it means being an elf alongside you.” God, was she flirting?
Jett smiled with his eyes and pushed toward Santa, who sat on the chair, before setting the gifts on the floor. Paris did the same and glided through the crowds, unable to take her eyes off Jett. Her heart raced, showing no sign of letting up.
A week ago, her biggest problem was saving enough money for a new set of heels for a work conference. Now, that seemed a world away, and all that mattered was seeing everyone enjoy themselves and Jett’s performance.
Jen sidled up next to Paris and nudged her with her arm. “I saw the way you looked at him.”
Paris twisted toward Jen. “Not sure what you mean.” She couldn’t hold a serious face, feeling sixteen again, getting giddy over the first time she kissed Jett. That memory would forever stay imprinted on her brain—his soft approach, the warmth of his hands against her back, the depth of his passion, how she trembled when his tongue entered her mouth. God, even now a quiver of excitement zipped to the deepest pits of her stomach.
“Sure you don’t. I haven’t seen Jett stare at anyone the way he looks at you. So much desire in his eyes shows his intentions.”
“His intentions?”
“Yeah, he wants you.” Jen stared at Paris expectantly, unblinking, waiting for a response. Was she one of those matchmaking people who loved to bring couples together? Her friend, Nancy at Ziggy’s, was notorious for doing exactly that. No date ever turned out well.
Paris scanned the hall, catching a few people staring her way. “Did everyone in the hall see his reaction too?” She swore her cheeks lit on fire.
Jen chuckled loudly and slapped a hand over her lips as several people glanced their way. She lowered her hand and whispered, “I can’t speak for others, only what I noticed. Anyway, my suggestion is to grab your perfect time with Jett. Don’t let him get away.”
Was it that simple? Then why did she feel as if the world rested on her shoulders, and making such a decision both terrified and excited her? But at the core, leaving her job to stay in Yalgoo was the problem. And this had zero to do with a guy supporting her, but more about her own self-achievement and confidence. Just thinking about abandoning her hard work for the past five years stung, and her eyes prickled. Or was she being foolish in believing in the possibility that second chances even existed?