Christmas Chances

Chapter 8: Brewing Truths

The coffee shop was warm and inviting, its windows fogged from the contrast of winter air outside and steaming mugs within. Holly followed Lee through the door, her pulse quickening as the scent of roasted beans and peppermint wrapped around her. It felt different from the bakery—quieter, more intimate.

Lee held the door for her, his movements easy, practiced. She murmured a thank you, brushing past him, and they found a small table tucked near the window. Holly sat, tugging her coat tighter around her shoulders, trying to calm the flutter in her chest.

For a moment, neither spoke. The hum of conversation and the hiss of the espresso machine filled the silence. Then Lee cleared his throat, his gaze steady but softened.

“I owe you an apology,” he said.

Holly blinked, caught off guard. “For what?”

“For sneaking out that night,” he admitted. “It wasn’t about you. It’s… soldier habits. You don’t linger, you don’t get comfortable. You move before anyone notices you’re gone. I shouldn’t have left like that.”

Holly tried to wave it off, forcing a smile. “It’s fine. Really. I didn’t expect—”

But her voice faltered, betraying her. She couldn’t quite hide the sting she’d felt waking up alone, the ache of wondering if she’d imagined the connection between them.

Lee leaned forward, his expression earnest. “It wasn’t fine. You deserve better than that. I just… didn’t know how to stay.”

Her heart softened, the walls she’d built wobbling. She looked down at her hands, then back at him. “I wanted to believe it didn’t matter. But it did. I noticed.”

Silence stretched between them, not uncomfortable but heavy with meaning. Then Lee smiled faintly, the kind of smile that reached his eyes. “I’m glad you noticed. Because I did too. More than I should have.”

Holly’s cheeks warmed. She reached for her mug, grateful for the distraction, but the moment lingered between them like a spark.

They talked then, slipping into easy conversation. Holly told him about the chaos of the bakery, the endless orders, the Town Christmas Party preparations. Lee listened intently, asking questions, his laughter rumbling low when she described Marissa’s dramatic frosting battles with Jake.

In turn, Lee spoke of the farm, of his grandmother’s tireless work, of his own plans after retirement. “I want to spend more time with her before my last deployment,” he said. “She’s built something special there. It feels… peaceful. Like home. And when I retire, I want to help her keep it going.”

Holly nodded, her chest tightening. “She deserves that. And so do you.”

The words hung in the air, heavier than she intended. Lee’s gaze lingered on her, and for a moment, Holly thought he might reach across the table. Her pulse raced, anticipation curling in her stomach.

Then the bell above the coffee shop door jingled, sharp and unwelcome.

Crystal.

She swept inside, her coat stylish, her smile smug. Her eyes landed on Holly and Lee, and her expression shifted into something sharper, hungrier.

“Well, isn’t this cozy,” she drawled, striding toward their table. “Holly, you didn’t waste much time, did you?”

Holly stiffened, her stomach dropping. “Crystal.”

Lee’s brows furrowed, his gaze flicking between them. “You two know each other?”

Crystal laughed, the sound brittle. “Oh, we know each other. Best friends once upon a time. Until she decided she was too good for me. Or maybe it was after I showed her that Jon wasn’t exactly the saint she thought he was.”

Holly’s jaw tightened. “You mean after you betrayed me.”

Crystal’s smile widened, cruel. “Details, details.” She turned her attention to Lee, her eyes sweeping over him. “And now you’ve found yourself a soldier. How charming. Tell me, Holly, do you think he’ll stick around? Or will he sneak out again like he did the other night?”

Lee’s jaw clenched, but Holly spoke first, her voice steady. “You don’t get to come in here and tear me down, Crystal. Not anymore. You made your choices. You lost the right to be part of my life.”

Crystal tilted her head, feigning innocence. “I’m just looking out for you. You’ve always been so naïve, Holly. Falling for men who leave.”

Lee leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. “I’m not Jon. And I’m not here to hurt her.”

Crystal’s eyes narrowed, but Holly stood, her chair scraping against the floor. “Enough. You’ve done enough damage, Crystal. I won’t let you ruin this too.”

The coffee shop had gone quiet, patrons watching the exchange with thinly veiled curiosity. Holly ignored them, her focus on the woman who had once been her closest friend.

Crystal’s smile faltered, her bravado slipping. For a moment, Holly saw the insecurity beneath—the jealousy that had driven her, the bitterness that had poisoned their friendship. But Holly didn’t pity her. Not anymore.

“Goodbye, Crystal,” she said firmly. “For good this time.”

Crystal’s lips parted, but no words came. With a sharp toss of her hair, she turned and stalked out, the bell clanging behind her.

Silence lingered, broken only by the hiss of the espresso machine. Holly sat back down, her hands trembling slightly.

Lee reached across the table then, his fingers brushing hers. “You okay?”

She nodded, though her throat tightened. “Yeah. I just… I hate that she still thinks she can control me.”

“You didn’t let her,” Lee said softly. “You stood your ground. That’s strength.”

Holly met his gaze, her heart steadying. “I guess I did.”

They sat there for a moment, the tension easing, replaced by something warmer. Holly realized then that she wasn’t just enjoying Lee’s company—she was trusting him. And that trust felt like the beginning of something she hadn’t dared to hope for.

Lee smiled, his thumb brushing lightly against her hand. “So… where were we?”

Holly laughed, the sound shaky but genuine. “I think we were talking about frosting battles.”

And just like that, the heaviness lifted. They slipped back into conversation, laughter mingling with the hum of the coffee shop, the shadow of Crystal fading into the background.

For the first time in years, Holly felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be—sitting across from someone who saw her, who respected her, who made her believe in second chances.