If you ever want to know where you stand with Delaney De Luca, don’t return or acknowledge her heartfelt text message. This is the mistake I’ve made, and I’m paying dearly for it. Holly isn’t though, since she sees Delaney every day and talks about her non-stop once she’s home from school. It’s pretty bad I have to get information about Delaney from my seven year old. The problem is, I don’t know what to say to Delaney and every time I’ve tried to approach her, she’s smiled politely and turned the other way.

To top everything else off, Shelby posted a photo of us, indicating we are a couple, when that couldn’t be further from the truth. I like her, but that’s it. My heart doesn’t race when she’s around, nor do my palms sweat or my skin feel like it’s about to jump off my body when she touches me. Those are all things I feel when I’m with Delaney. The worst part is I don’t know what to do about it.

There isn’t much I can do, honestly. Delaney is leaving at the end of the month, and will go back to her life in California where she’s living her dream. I’ll be here, raising my daughter and struggling to make ends meet. I’m not jealous. I’m resentful. My life wasn’t supposed to be like this. I had everything. A beautiful wife and child, a good job, a happy home, and then someone or some force thought Heather and I could handle the unthinkable. We tried. We fought. We loved until the end.

Now the thought of being in love again looms in front of me and I can’t take it. I can’t ask Delaney to move here and uprooting Holly is out of the question. My job is here. My parents and sister are here. In Los Angeles, we’d only have Delaney, when she’s there. That isn’t a lifestyle I want for my daughter.

“Daddy, do you think you can call Laney and ask her to do my hair?” Holly stands before me. Tonight is the annual policeman’s holiday dinner and party. It’s always been a family oriented event with Santa and Mrs. Claus making an appearance to hand out toys to all the children.

“Aunt Meredith said she’d be over to help.”

Holly shakes her head and juts out her lower lip. “I want Laney to do it.” She stomps her foot and crosses her arms over her chest.

“I’m sorry, but Delaney is busy.” I hate that I’ve called her anything but her nickname, but I think I’m wise to separate myself from her. Besides, she’s made it clear we’re nothing more than friends.

“But she promised.”

I never want to call my daughter a liar, but I do question whether Delaney said this to her. “Maybe you misunderstood.”

“I. Did. Not!”

“Holly, I know you’re upset, but I’m sorry, Delaney isn’t coming over to do your hair. Aunt Meredith will though.”

Holly screeches, like a wild banshee. She’s trying to push me over the edge into yelling at her. This is exactly what I knew would happen. Holly would become attached to Delaney, and not understand why Delaney can’t be around anytime Holly wants. I’m an adult and even I have a hard time comprehending why I can’t have my way when I want it.

“I don’t want to go.”

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “You don’t want to see Santa and tell him what you want for Christmas?”

“No. I want Delaney.”

“You can’t have her.”

“You’re a meanie.”

I nod. “And you’re acting like a baby, so why don’t you go to your room and think about things. When you’re ready to talk to me with some respect we can have a conversation.” I point toward the hall, which only causes Holly to hold her breath so her face can turn red. Temper tantrums are the highlight of my parenting life.

“I don’t like you right now, Daddy. You’re a giant meanie and you’re hurting my feelings.”

“Yeah, well get in line, Holly. You’re not the only one who doesn’t like me. Now go. I need a minute to calm down.”

Holly grunts and stomps her way down the hall. Her door slams, causing me to jump. I lean back against the couch and close my eyes. I know I’m dreaming when I think I can smell Delaney’s perfume on my sofa. There’s no way. She wasn’t here long enough to leave a lingering scent like this.

Weeks ago, my life made sense, even if were messy and painful, and then Delaney comes to town and she’s everywhere, including my dreams. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about her because in a matter of special moments, she’s integrated herself into my life. I have no idea how to tell Holly that her newfound friend is going to leave and the only way to see her will be at the movies or on television.

After an hour or so, I finally relent and start to get dressed. All police officers are required to go. Our chief always asks another town to provide coverage for a few hours so everyone can attend. According to him, it’s a good thing for the community to see all officers together.

I knock on Holly’s door, but she tells me to go away. I get it, she’s upset with me, but I’m not the bad guy. I wish she could see things my way or see the bigger picture. If it were so easy to be with Delaney, I’d jump at the opportunity. Besides, I’m certain I’ve missed my chance with her.

The kitchen door opens and my sister walks in. She comes down the hall, looking at me oddly. “She’s boycotting the party,” I tell her.

“Why?” Meredith asks.

“Because Delaney isn’t here to do her hair.”

The hall may be dim, but I can easily see my sister roll her eyes. “What?”

Meredith shakes her head. “Nothing.”

“Clearly it’s something.”

My sister motions for me to follow her into my room. I do, and she shuts the door behind me. “My something is, you should’ve never gotten involved with Delaney Du Luca to begin with.”

“We’re not involved.”

“You are. You let her into your home and into Holly’s life. Everyone knows you waited to be the last one to buy her meet and greet tickets at the start of the festival. The whole town has seen you together, acting like a family. Honestly, it’s a bit ridiculous when you know she’s not going to give up her career for you, let alone… “

“Let alone, what? The fact that I’m a single dad or drowning in debt? Which one of these is going to turn Delaney off the most?”

Meredith reaches for me, but I step away. “I didn’t mean for it to sound so horrible. All I’m saying is, you should’ve protected Holly better. Delaney is going to leave and it’ll likely be ten years before we ever see her again. Honestly, she’s done nothing but interrupt lives.”

I shake my head, unwilling to continue this conversation with my sister. “If you’re going to do Holly’s hair, she’s in her room pouting. Delaney put her hair in some elaborate braid the other day, she really liked it.” I leave my sister standing in my room while I head out of the house. I know she means well, but I’m an adult and should be able to make my own decisions without people judging me.

Every few seconds I’m checking my phone. I tell myself it’s to see the time, but truthfully I’m hoping to find a text message from Laney. It’s stupid, I know. When Holly finally emerges, she’s dressed in her red Christmas dress my mom bought her and her hair is in curls. One quick glance at my sister tells me all I need to know. She did whatever she wanted and didn’t take Holly’s needs into consideration.

“You ready, punky?”

“Sure.”

I lift her into the truck without another word to my sister. “You look very pretty,” I tell Holly as I back out of the driveway. “I think Santa is going to think you’re the prettiest girl in the room.”

“Will Delaney be there?”

“I don’t know, Holly. I think maybe she will because her dad is the mayor, but Delaney is really busy sometimes.”

“But she promised.” Holly’s head rests against the window, seemingly dejected. Maybe my sister’s right, and I should’ve put a stop to the interactions between Holly and Delaney, but to see them together… I don’t know, for one brief moment, Holly was happy. She was laughing and she hadn’t done that in a while. I have Delaney to thank for bringing some cheer to my daughter’s life, even if it’s short lived.

The parking lot at the lodge is full, forcing me to park on the street. Holly and I walk hand in hand up the stairs and into the entryway, where the chief and his wife greet us. “Oh Holly, you’re absolutely beautiful. Are you ready to see Santa?” Mrs. Floyd crouches down and tugs the ruffle on Holly’s dress. She leans into me, acting bashful.

“It’s good to see you, Mrs. Floyd. Chief.” He nods as Holly and I pass by. Inside, the decorations are vast. The large tree in the center of the room sits in front of a giant red chair. Presents are stacked all around, each one with a child’s name on it. This has been a town tradition for as long as I can remember. My parents used to bring Meredith and I here when we were younger.

Holly and I find our seats, which happen to be next to Shelby and Shawna. Shelby clutches my arm when she sees me and leans in. She goes to kiss me on the cheek and I hug her, creating an awkward situation.

“The perfect couple,” my sister says as she greets us both. Internally, I groan and disengage as quickly as I can. I make sure to sit on the other side of Holly, putting at least two people between us. I’d like to sit my sister down and ask her why she’s pushing for a relationship between Shelby and me. It’s not like I’ve told her anything or shown I’m overly interested. I understand my sister wanting me to be happy, but she has to let me find my own path and do what’s right for Holly, and I’m not sure Shelby is.

Volunteers from the high school gather all the kids and have them compete in games. Unfortunately, with Holly gone, it leaves me vulnerable to Shelby. She takes the seat next to me and in her not so subtle way, brushes her leg up against mine.

“I was thinking that it might be nice for you and Holly to come over on Christmas Eve.”

“I’m not sure, Shelby. I’ll need to check with my parents. We usually spend some time over there.”

“Your sister says they don’t have anything going on.”

I look at her, studying her deeply. She’s beaming and looks happy. Life would make sense with a partner, but I’m not there yet. Movement behind me catches my eye, I turn and find Delaney standing there. She watches me for a minute before smiling and walking away. I get up to chase her, to demand she speak to me, but my chief cuts me off.

“Fisher, I need you.”

“But, Chief.” Delaney disappears into the crowd. I strain to look for Calvin, but he too seems invisible.

“No buts. Come on, our Santa called out sick and I need you to fill in.” The chief pushes me toward the back room, all while I’m still trying to find Laney.

“What?” I stop dead in my tracks. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I wish I were, but the suit makes me break out in hives and we can’t let the children down.”

“But… but…”

“Take one for the team, Fisher.” He pushes me into the dressing room where Mrs. Claus is, dressed and ready to go. The door shuts behind me, leaving me trapped with no choice but to become the jolly fellow.