I could get used to this, Dante thought. The strange idea flitted through his mind, throwing him a bit off balance. Being back home had been a positive experience so far, but Mistletoe was no longer his home. Years ago he’d decided that in order to make it big in Hollywood he needed to leave his Maine hometown. As a result, he’d carved out an incredible life for himself in California. There was no turning back or giving in to sentimentality. Mistletoe was in his past, not his future, even though Lucy made him yearn for things he hadn’t thought of in years.
Chapter Twelve
A few days later, Lucy was at town hall helping to finalize the plans for Mistletoe’s annual holiday bash. The Christmas Frolic was a one-hundred-year-old town tradition that celebrated community, the holiday season, and Maine. Lucy loved being a part of the Mistletoe planning committee, especially since this year some of the proceeds were earmarked for the library. Little by little, Lucy’s goal of garnering financial support for the library was coming to fruition.
At the moment, she could barely focus on the matter at hand. Thoughts of Dante danced in her head like sugarplums. Their paths hadn’t crossed since their night at the tree farm and Lucy keenly felt his absence. It was such a strange feeling to go so long without him being in her life, but now she was accustomed to seeing him. It may have been her imagination, but it was almost a physical ache. It was making her feel a bit off-kilter.
There were so many things left unsaid between them. They’d barely scratched the surface. Lucy couldn’t shake the feeling that she and Dante were rebuilding what had been broken between them years ago. But it was hard to hope for anything solid to develop since Dante was only in town for the short term. Lucy knew how she felt about him, and it explained so much about why she’d had such a hard time moving on. Dante had been her once-in-a-lifetime love, and those feelings had never really died. Embers had been simmering under the surface, and with his return, a full blaze had been reignited.
All the kissing and touching they were doing didn’t mean they were together, she reminded herself. Not in the truest sense of the word. All it demonstrated was that there were huge sparks whenever they were near each other. Dante hadn’t said a single thing about how he felt about her. And she would feel like an utter fool if she expressed her feelings only to find out he didn’t feel the same way.
As soon as the meeting ended, Lucy quickly gathered up her belongings so she could go back to the library. After she said her goodbyes and headed toward the door, Lucy felt a tug on her arm. Turning around, she came face-to-face with Violet Stewart, a local artist and historian who considered herself a town matriarch. With her vibrant red hair, glittering emerald eyes, and animated demeanor, Violet commanded attention everywhere she went.
“I was at my Daughters of Mistletoe meeting this morning and I heard the most outrageous rumor.” Violet raised her eyebrows and sent Lucy a knowing look. Lucy wanted to let out a snort. The women’s group was nothing more than a haven for town gossips. They were supposed to be working on town history projects and exploring genealogy trees, but Lucy suspected not much work was being done other than flapping their gums.
Violet edged closer to her. “I’m not one to gossip, but I think it’s only fair to tell you that certain town residents are saying you are having an affair.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “With Dante West.”
Lucy steeled herself not to react to the outrageous claim. “I really have to get back to work, Violet.” Maybe if she didn’t take the bait, Violet would leave her alone.
“You were spotted at the library,” Violet said, pointing a finger at Lucy. “Necking with a movie star. And here I thought you were a Goody Two-Shoes.”
Necking? Lucy hadn’t heard that expression since her grandmother was alive. She felt as if she’d been transported to the 1950s.
She shook her head. “Don’t believe everything you hear, Violet. I’d be careful about passing on rumors. It might come back to bite you in the you-know-what.”
Violet put her hands on her hips. An expression of outrage appeared on her face. “Lucy Marshall! I wasn’t spreading any talk about you and Dante. I was merely letting you know what folks were saying about the two of you. I thought you’d appreciate the heads-up.”
Lucy was working hard not to say something she might regret. Mistletoe had far too many busybodies walking around town spreading dirt. Even though aspects of the story were true, Lucy hated being the subject of gossip. Violet had a knack for making her rumors sound disreputable.
“Be careful,” Violet warned. “Dante was always a sweetheart, but he’s a celebrity now.” She winked at Lucy. “He’s probably got a few ladies waiting for him back in California. Don’t let him break your heart…” Violet trailed off and Lucy had a gut feeling she’d stopped herself before uttering the word again.
Lucy smiled through gritted teeth. Although she was annoyed, she couldn’t really be too upset. The possibility of having her heart shattered was her biggest fear about reconnecting with her ex. She tilted her chin up and didn’t bat an eyelash as she responded, “Don’t worry about me. Mama didn’t raise any fools.”
“Glad to hear it,” Violet said with a bob of her head. “See you at the Christmas Frolic,” she trilled, her voice carrying. With a wave of a few fingers, Violet was gone. Lucy huffed out a tightly held breath. She’d tried to keep her cool, but Violet had gotten under her skin.
“Maybe you need to get your own romance going so you can stay out of mine,” Lucy muttered.
She felt a gentle arm being placed around her shoulder. “Don’t give her a second thought, Lucy. She’s blowing everything out of proportion, as usual.” When she turned her head, Eva Langston was by her side with a sympathetic expression. “There was a little chatter, but nothing outrageous. They were basically saying you were getting it on at the library.”
Eva was the owner of Casablanca, the classic movie theater on Main Street. Blond and statuesque, Eva was one of the kindest-hearted people in town. She’d been Lucy’s friend since she’d arrived in town five years ago and purchased the old theater. Eva had worked diligently to fix up the place and restore it to its former glory. With a new name and marquee, plush red leather seats, and an expanded concessions area, Casablanca was a favorite spot in town.
Lucy threw her hands up. “I love Mistletoe, but the rumor mill is so out of control. It makes my head spin.”
Eva nodded. “Tell me about it. I just found out I have a secret husband in Cape Cod. Seems someone forgot to tell me about him.” She winked at Lucy. “I wonder if he’s tall, dark, and handsome?”
Lucy chuckled along with Eva. “So much for Mistletoe being a sleepy little New England town. If you scratch the surface, there’s a lot more to it.”
“Do you have time to grab a hot cocoa? We can dish some more at the Coffee Bean,” Eva suggested, her hazel eyes twinkling.
“I’d love to chat more, but I have to head back to work. I’m swamped.” It would be lovely to catch up with her friend, but her schedule wouldn’t allow it. Not today anyway.
“Why don’t I walk with you?” Eva asked as she looped her arm through Lucy’s. “We can discuss setting up for the Christmas Frolic…or talk about a certain gorgeous hometown celebrity who happens to be your ex.”
Lucy let out a groan. “Not you too. All anyone wants to talk about is Dante.”
Eva smirked at her. “Can you blame us? He’s the hottest thing to hit this town since sliced bread.” Lucy giggled at the comparison. It was great to have a friend who could make her laugh at the situation. She was so tired of worrying about her every conversation with Dante. Between her own doubts and the endless town chatter, Lucy had a lot to worry about. Eva was a judgment-free zone.
As they stepped outside into the wintry air, Lucy and Eva strolled past the shops and paused to gaze longingly at the gingerbread houses in the window of Sweet Temptation, the best bakery in Maine. The establishment had the best cakes Lucy had ever tasted. And if she wasn’t running late she
would step inside and order a six-pack of red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing. Just looking at the display made her stomach grumble in appreciation.
“So, is there anything going on with you and Inferno?” Eva asked as they walked toward the library. “As one of your best friends, I really need the scoop. And I pinky swear not to tell a soul.” She held out her pinky and Lucy wrapped her own around Eva’s.
Lucy paused for a moment before speaking. Telling Eva might take a huge weight off her shoulders. “As you know, I dated Dante for a few years back in high school. It was a pretty intense relationship. We had plans for a future together, but he headed to California without me. It totally blindsided me.”
Eva cringed. “Ouch.”
“Exactly. It hurt more than I can put into words. And now he’s back in Mistletoe, famous and finer than ever. At first I was angry at him, but now…”
“Now you’re falling for him,” Eva said.
Lucy stopped in her snowy tracks and glanced over at Eva. Were her feelings so obvious?
“Am I right?” her friend asked, her brows furrowed.
Lucy nodded as they continued walking. “Yes, you’re right. No matter how much I’ve tried not to fall for him, it seems as if my heart has a mind of its own.” She shrugged. “I don’t know what it all means though. We’re really good at kissing, but I have no idea what he’s feeling toward me. And it’s driving me a little bit crazy.” By this time, they’d reached the library and Lucy knew her time with Eva was up.
“Well, maybe you should find out how he feels,” Eva said, reaching out and pulling Lucy in for a hug. “Ask him, Lucy. Point-blank. Period. Put on your big-girl panties and get some answers.”
* * *
A few days later, Lucy decided to take action. Eva’s words had issued a challenge to her that she found hard to ignore. Put on your big-girl panties. She wasn’t a teenager anymore and if she wanted answers from Dante she needed to go get them. Although he was still filming at the library, Lucy barely saw him. When he did have a few minutes to chat it was always casual and brief. It left her with an empty feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Lucy had been informed by a crew member that shooting was going to conclude early this afternoon because of a script change. Filming would resume in the morning. By this time, the crew members knew Lucy by name and she knew most of theirs as well. As soon as she got back to her desk, Lucy busied herself with colored paper, scissors, and gel pens. During a lull in the day, Lucy did a little reconnaissance mission to figure out Dante’s whereabouts. One of his crew members pointed her toward a small office in the back of the library where Dante was working. By this time, most of the cast and crew had taken off.
Lucy spotted Dante through the partially open door. He was seated at a desk poring over a thick notebook. She knocked firmly on the wooden surface, willing herself not to chicken out.
“Hey there, Lucy. Long time no see.” He beckoned her in with a wave. Seeing Dante’s eyes light up at the sight of her felt amazing.
“You look wiped out,” Lucy said. Maybe her timing wasn’t so good after all. Dante appeared a bit worse for wear. A five-o’clock shadow graced his handsome face. “Did you pull an all-nighter?”
“It’s pretty intense trying to keep things running smoothly on a set,” Dante explained. “I did manage to get a few winks last night, but I’m looking forward to sleeping in over the weekend.” He ran a hand over his face.
She chewed the inside of her lip. “My timing might be way off, but…” Her voice trailed off, swallowed up by her own discomfort. She was making a bold move with Dante, and for the life of her she didn’t know if she was making a fool of herself or not.
She slid the invitation across the desk until it landed in front of him.
“What’s this?” Dante asked as he fingered the piece of colored paper with his name scrawled on it in cursive.
“Open it and find out.”
Dante couldn’t hide the smile on his face as he opened it up and looked at her invitation. He swung his gaze up to meet hers. “You’re inviting me to the movies? Tonight?”
“I heard through the grapevine you were wrapping up early today, but if it’s not a good time I’ll take a rain check.”
Dante gaped at her. “Are you kidding me? I’ve dreamed about going back to see a flick at the Regal. That’s where I learned about cinema and started dreaming about being a part of the film industry. I’ll never forget going to see The Godfather and Star Wars.”
“Actually, it’s not the Regal anymore. My friend Eva bought it and renamed it Casablanca. I’m sure you can guess why. But trust me, you won’t be disappointed. She spruced the place up and added some cool features while maintaining that classic aesthetic.”
He nodded. “Casablanca is a cool name for a movie theater.” He stroked his jaw. “So, what movie is playing tonight?”
She felt a huge smile tugging at her lips. “Why don’t we meet there at quarter to six and you’ll see it on the marquee.” She reached out and ran her fingers along the stubble on his jawline. “That way you can go home and take a shower and shave. Even rest up a little.”
“It’s a date,” Dante said. The words rolled easily off his tongue.
“I’ll see you then,” Lucy answered, turning on her heels and heading back to her own office. She could feel her cheeks getting flushed and she imagined there was a certain pep in her step. She had a movie date with Dante tonight, and everything felt right in her world.
At quarter to six, Lucy stood in front of the Casablanca movie theater wearing a thick wool coat with a faux-fur trim and her most fashionable winter boots. Dante was right on time to meet her. Even from a few feet away she could see he was cleanly shaven and rested. He walked toward her with a huge grin on his face as he pointed up at the marquee.
“I love it. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. One of my favorites.”
“How could I forget? We saw it together more than a few times.” Lucy giggled. “Every time you started quoting the lines everyone else in the theater got upset.”
“Thanks for doing this, Luce. I didn’t realize how much I needed some downtime.” Lucy felt herself wrapped up in Dante’s arms as he went in for a hug. Being in his arms felt like heaven even though the embrace was brief. They both knew that the movie would be starting shortly. She felt Dante’s hand loop around her waist as she gave their tickets to the theater attendant.
After stopping at the concession stand for sodas, popcorn, and M&M’s, they headed into the theater. Although it was fairly empty, Lucy saw a few acquaintances who did a double take at the sight of Dante. For once she didn’t care about town gossip. There was an easy rhythm between her and Dante. Nothing felt forced or contrived. They were simply enjoying each other’s company and having fun.
For the next two hours they were mesmerized by the adventures of Paul Newman and Robert Redford. At certain points in the movie they whispered back and forth while sharing a big tub of popcorn. When the final credits rolled, the audience was cheering with Dante hollering the loudest.
“I think I ate too much popcorn,” Dante said with a groan as they left the theater and headed outside.
“Why don’t we walk it off?” Lucy suggested. “It’ll do us both some good. This area looks so festive and bright this time of year.”
“Great idea.” He interlocked his hand with hers as they walked down Main Street. It felt like old times going to the movies and then holding hands as they took in the sights of downtown Mistletoe.
“Do you remember cutting class and sneaking into the movies?” Dante asked as they walked.
She looked over at him, admiring his strong jawline and nice profile. “Of course I do. Every single time I thought we would get suspended. I was so worried about getting a ding on my perfect record.”
Dante threw his head back and chuckled. “I didn’t have a pristine record to care about.”
“No, you sure didn’t,” Lucy agreed, covering her mouth with her hand as
she laughed. Always the rebel, Dante had pushed past boundaries. He’d been an original. She would bet it was one of the reasons he’d beaten the odds to become a successful actor.
They crossed the street and headed toward the town green. From where they were standing, they could see the town gazebo lit up with brightly colored string lights. Set against the darkness, the effect was breathtaking. They stood in silence for a few moments and soaked in the beautiful scene.
“So are you busy on Saturday?” Lucy asked, breaking into the silence. “If not, I would love it if you could help us out by doing some shifts at the Christmas Frolic. I’m on the planning committee and I’m basically going to be there all day. We could use another set of hands.”
“We’re actually ahead of schedule with filming, so I can definitely make some time to help out.”
“It will mean a lot to the town having you there.” Her voice softened. “And to me.”
Dante placed Lucy’s face between his hands and stared deeply into her eyes. His expression was intense. “Whatever you need, Luce. I’ve got you. I care about you. And even though I’m here to make my film, I want to spend as much time with you as I can. When I’m with you, I feel like I’m my best self. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that way.”
Lucy felt fluttering in her belly. She’d wanted to know how Dante felt about her. And here it was. His feelings mirrored her own. It wasn’t words of love or any promises about the future, but it showed her that she wasn’t wasting her time. He did have feelings for her.
“I feel the same way, Dante.” She didn’t need to say anything else, she realized. Things were good between them. She was starting to be hopeful. Perhaps she’d been wrong about him smashing her heart into little pieces.
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