And why is he doing that, Penn?
Because he wants to prove that he’s better than me, and maybe that’s because he wants her back…
But why now? It has to be more than the fact that she’s engaged. More than the fact that he wants what he can’t have. I mean, I know that trick has worked before, but my gut is suddenly telling me something else is going on with him. I tuck that thought away to examine in depth later.
“Nice to see you again, Elaine.” Dylan cocks his head, his smirk tight, still waiting for her answer to his little trap.
“No, I guess I didn’t know,” she says, voice polite but thin.
His smile sharpens. “But you did know about the engagement, right? That Penn and Jaylynn were supposedly dating in Boston?”
Supposedly.
Okay, here we go.
Elaine straightens, then turns her eyes to me with a soft smile. She cups my face in her palm like she used to when I was a kid. “Of course, I knew. Penn calls me every week. He was smitten with Jaylynn from the beginning.” She makes a tsking sound. “Heartbroken when she moved home. They didn’t think long-distance would work, but the moment he came back, one look at her and he knew. I always knew they belonged together.” She shoots Dylan a deliberate wink.
His face falters, the smugness cracking, and I bite back a grin. Who knew Elaine had such a wicked slap shot?
I lean down to hug her, whispering, “You did good.”
“That guy’s a douche,” she mutters back.
“Elaine,” I scold lightly, though a laugh breaks through.
Her eyes twinkle. “Jaylynn was too good for him. I’m glad she found the man she needed.”
I pause, heart squeezing. For a second, I almost worry she believes all this is for real.
“Elaine—”
She waves me off. “Go on, get back to the inn and get warm. It’s freezing out here. You don’t want to catch your death of cold before the parade.”
“Speaking of the parade, I’ll swing by and pick you up. We’ll get there early and you can help us set up. Wait, you do want to come, right?” I ask.
“Wouldn’t miss seeing you play Santa,” she says proudly.
“It’s good for my image,” I joke.
“As long as you don’t deck anyone.” Her eyes cut toward Dylan. “Though I wouldn’t blame you if you did. And I can get myself there. I’m not feeble, you know.”
“I know, but I don’t mind.”
“You have a lot to do, so I’ll just meet you there.”
Jay moves in beside me, slipping perfectly into my arms like she was made for the space. Elaine beams at the sight, and I swear my chest feels too full. No wonder she thinks this is real.
We’re all about to leave, but Elaine holds a hand up. “Wait, it’s National Oatmeal Muffin Day.” She comes back with a huge tray. “Help yourselves.”
“They look amazing,” Jay says, grabbing one. She takes a bite and moans softly. “Even better than they look.”
“Come on, everyone,” Elaine calls, and the carolers swarm, while Earl—her evil cat, Muffin—glowers at me from behind the screen door.”
“Elaine, I do hope you’ll come for dinner,” Judy says.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she responds, and I glance at Dylan. Is he going to try to get himself an invite to Christmas dinner too?
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Judy beams, then gives Elaine a co-conspirator wink. “I can’t wait to start the planning.”