Chapter 51

The next morning, Caden rose early, dressed, and was out the door, determined to make things right. Outside, it was bitter cold, and the ground was covered with a white blanket of new fallen white snow. But at least it had stopped snowing.
As quickly as he could, he slid into his car and was headed toward town, knowing what he had to do. He couldn't waste another minute. Soon, he pulled up in front of the Christmas Cove Jewelry Store, turned off the engine, and headed toward the front door. He tried it, but it was still locked. He looked over at Santa's Café, thinking that he could get something to eat while he waited for Jocelyn, but he wasn't hungry.
Caden looked across the town square, and his parents' Christmas tree lot wasn't even open yet. Although there was a light on inside of the small shed, Dan hadn't come out yet.
Caden sighed as he walked toward the gazebo and sat down to wait. He took in the town as he walked across the square, taking in the Danish architecture, reminiscent of a Swiss chalet or Santa's workshop at the North Pole. Although he became sick of it before he left, now he enjoyed seeing the shops decorated to resemble the North Pole, along with all of the Christmas decorations in the town. He sat down in the gazebo near the jewelry store and took in the scenery while he waited.
As he waited, he remembered back to when he was a child. He loved growing up here in Christmas Cove. And now that he was back, he didn't want to leave.
Across the street, a young woman with light red hair unlocked the door and walked into the jewelry store. Caden recognized her as one of the other women who worked with Jocelyn when he had carried her out. He chuckled at the thought. Within minutes, the lights came on.
After a few minutes, he walked to the front door, but it was still locked. But when the woman saw it was him, her lips curled into a frown as she let out a deep breath. She waited for a minute and then walked from around the counter and unlocked the door.
"You're an idiot," she announced as she locked the door back behind him.
"Excuse me?" Although it wasn't something he didn't already know, he was surprised to hear it from her. "Do I know you?"
She folded her arms across her chest. "Kiki. I'm Jocelyn's best friend. We've been working together for four years, and you're not just an idiot. You're a complete idiot."
Caden sighed. "I know."
Kiki studied him for a minute and then lowered her hands. "Jocelyn isn't here."
"Is she coming in?" His heart pounded at the prospect.
"No, but if she was, I wouldn't tell you." She walked back behind the counter. "You need to stay away from her."
"I know, but I can't." Relief washed over him as he finally admitted it.
Kiki folded her arms across her chest again. "If you're going to California with her sister, then you just need to go. But don't you dare hurt Jocelyn." She unfolded her arms and pointed a finger at him. "She's too good for you--"
"I know."
"And I don't want to see her get hurt." Seeing that he wasn't going to give up, she finally relented. "Okay. I want to ask you a question and I want an honest answer."
"Okay."
Kiki's eyebrows pulled together in concern as she looked at him skeptically. "Are you in love with her, or is this a filling-in-time thing while you're waiting for Mallory?"
Caden let out a deep breath as he looked into her eyes. "I'm in love with her. I don't know how it happened, but it did. Now, I can't live without her."
Kiki folded her arms across her chest again. "And are you planning on leaving Christmas Cove?"
"Not without Jocelyn." For better or worse, it felt good to finally admit it and lay everything on the line. "That is, if she wants to go with me. Yesterday, she wouldn't answer my calls or texts."
"And what are you planning to do about Mallory?" Kiki lifted an eyebrow.
"I'm going to go talk to her today."
"Okay." Kiki took a step closer to him, her eyes wide, and looked around to make sure they were alone. "What I'm going to tell you stays between us."
"Deal."
"If you tell her I told you, I will hunt you down."
Caden smirked, concealing a smile. Kiki was all of about five feet, four inches and Caden was six foot, two inches tall. "I don't doubt it," he replied. And from the look in her eyes, she meant it.
Kiki bit her lower lip, obviously wondering how much to tell him. "Jocelyn's been in love with you since she was twelve years old."
"She what?" His eyes flew open in surprise. He had no idea she felt that way. He had always liked spending time with her, but he had no idea that she felt that way about him. "Hasn't she ever fallen in love before?"
"Yes, you." Kiki shook her head. "You ruined her for all other men. You were the first and only man she's ever loved." She let out a deep breath. "She's been fighting it for years, but when you came back into town, it tore her up."
Caden nodded, understanding. "Because she didn't want to hurt her sister."
"And you didn't hear it from me."
"Don't worry. I know you'll hurt me if I tell her."
"Damn straight."
Caden smiled as his eyebrows pulled together in concern. "Kiki, can you help me with something?"
One corner of her lips curled into a smile. "Is it for Jocelyn?"
He nodded.
"Then, I'm in."
***
After he left the jewelry store, Caden knew he had to find Mallory.
We need to talk, he texted her. Can we meet somewhere? Breakfast, maybe?
A moment later his phone buzzed. Sure. Where would you like to meet?
Caden thought for a moment. The North Pole Resort, in the restaurant?
I'll be there in five.
Caden slid into his car and started the engine, then headed out of town, headed toward The North Pole Resort. It was expensive, so he knew she wouldn't say no. But it was also public, so she couldn't yell at him and make a scene, unless she wanted the whole town to know.
His stomach tightened, feeling like he was eighteen again. But this time, he was breaking up with her for good- if that was what you wanted to call it. They never really were together, even though he had agreed to take Mallory to California. But if he had gone with her, it would have been strictly as friends.