Holiday in Holly Oaks

Chapter 13

The next morning Tallie opened the music store and worked the first shift. The first days after Christmas she had planned for Lauren and the other store employees to pick up extra shifts so she could have time off but she hadn't found anyone for that morning so she had to work.

It hadn't made any difference because Case had shown up mid-morning with her second dose of coffee and spent the rest of her shift hanging out at the front counter or playing guitars in the back.

Just like they had both understood they wanted to keep their relationship quiet the first two days without discussing it, by the third day they both understood they were over worrying if the town knew about them. They didn't go as far as holding hands in public but they didn't mind the curious looks they got from people as they went everywhere together.

Lauren showed up midday to take over and Case and Tallie stopped by the deli to pick up sandwiches for his whole family. It had felt like a second Christmas when they had arrived at his house with lunch. His mom was thrilled not to cook and his sister had missed the deli sandwiches since moving away.

After lunch, they retreated to his furnished basement to play guitar. They played until his sister asked them to quiet down so Janie could nap. They obliged and turned on a Christmas movie, but the movie was only background noise as they talked.

The first two days together there had been an urgency to know everything they had missed in the last two years. Once they felt caught up they had slipped into more relaxed conversations about everything, except the deadline on their time together.

They had managed to dance around the fact that Case was heading back to New York before New Year's Eve until this point. But as the day neared, Tallie started to think about it but wasn't sure how or if she wanted to bring it up. She was grateful when Case did.

"So..." he started. Tallie could hear the shift in his tone and she sat up from where she had been resting against him. "New Years."

She nodded solemnly. The last few days had felt like a dream. They both knew it couldn't stay like that, but Tallie wouldn't mind staying in their little bubble longer. Even helping her mom take care of her dad had felt easier with Case around to tell a story and make her dad smile.

"The reason I have to get back to New York is that my law firm has an annual New Year's Eve party and they invite some of the most important people in New York," he said, talking so fast and excitedly he almost tripped over his worlds. "They don't usually don't invite interns like me, but they did invite me."

He paused and looked at her expectantly. She tried to read his face, confused by what reaction he was hoping for. She knew he must know she could care less about a fancy New York party. She would rather have him in Holly Oaks with her.

"I know it's not great timing for us," he continued, "but it's a big deal that and a chance to meet people that could further my career."

Tallie sat back further, for the first time seeing the lawyer side of Case. He didn't let her get far before he reached out and grabbed her hands.

"But I am allowed to bring a date..." He let the last word hang in the air, waiting for her reaction. It took her a moment to realize what he was saying.

"Tallie, will you come to the New Year's Eve party with me?"

"Oh..." was all she managed to say in her surprised state.

"The train ride into the city is less than two hours. I looked at the schedule and there is one that will get you to the city right on time for the party. And I already hinted at the idea of taking you away for a night to your parents and they said they would be fine."