A Moment With You

CHAPTER 15 | A Moment with You

I wanted to be here
To the miracle, I never expected I needed
Under the lit-up lights of the night
With you standing right across from me
In a daze like me
My heart is glad to be here with you...

The store was already filled with people looking through books and lining up at the counter when Ray went down the bookstore. He was clad in a blue sweater Alice and Crystal had insisted they gifted him, paired with warm cream slacks and a trench coat he got for himself earlier in town. He can see Dave busily entertaining customers while storing books in a paper bag with Aunt Emma beside him clicking on the cash box. They just opened and handed out invitations to the sale but there were already a lot of visitors.

While Ray mused at the thought of how the quiet bookstore was suddenly bustling with people, a seemingly flirty whistle from behind surprised him. He turned to see who it was and found Alice grinning as she scanned Ray from herald to toe, obviously pleased with what she saw.

"You look dashing!" Alice complimented excitedly.

"You're not so bad yourself." Ray complimented back at Alice who was wearing a checkered brown sweater with a wool scarf, black jacket, and jeans. Her hair was tied up in a bun with clips that seemed like Christmas twigs.

"I know it's pretty -- I got it from our Christmas tree..." Alice explained as she touched the twigs on her hair.

Ray nodded in approval. "Not bad."

Alice smiled in satisfaction at her accomplished fashionista statement.

"My my what do we have here?" Aunt Emma cheerfully interrupted as she approached Ray.

"Doesn't he look dashing Aunt Emma?" Alice chimed.

"He certainly does." Aunt Emma looked at Ray pleased and encouragingly. "Compared to what you were wearing when you came here, now you look more manly like you're ready to sweep a girl off her feet."

"I'm pretty sure a lot of ladies will be turning their heads on you, especially among Irene's batchmates," Alice said.

"I'd agree to that except for Irene's batchmates." Dave said. "they're all married except Irene."

"They'd still be swooning over him..." Alice argued back.

Aunt Emma sighed. "Whatever you two... Ray here looks amazing, I'm also swooning." Aunt Emma teased and laughed with Ray.

"Thanks, Aunt Emma."

"Are you guys heading out now?" Aunt Emma said. "The light show's at seven, plus there will be fireworks this evening too. You can enjoy a stroll there if you go now, or you can stay for a while -- to bring? lemon cake."

"I think we should leave now. Crystal's waiting for us at the bus stop." Alice excused.

"Oh yeah, we'll be back earlier Ms. Emma," Ray said as well.

"Just be back here before the program. Can you drive? You can use my truck." Aunt Emma offered.

Ray hesitated while Alice said "yes" in an instant. "That would be great Aunt Em! We can also come back here with Irene."

"That's very generous of you Ms. Emma," Ray said to which she only smiled sweetly and tapped him on the arm.

"Don't mention it. You'll see later what a lovely community it is here. Just enjoy..."

A few moments later, Ray was behind the wheel while Alice smiled from ear to ear as they drove out.

Perhaps because he had driven for Alice and Crystal earlier, Ray was more at ease going to the town proper this time. The trip seemed shorter too. In no time, they were already in the town's busy streets with its lined-up shops glistening with newly installed firefly lights. It was extra bright this time compared to when he had a walk with Irene.