Chapter 55

Caden pulled to a stop as close to the town square as he could get and ran. But the closer he got, the denser the crowd became. He just hoped that he could find Jocelyn in this mess. He had to talk to her. No matter what she said in return, at least she'd know- and so would he. Then, no matter what, he could go on with his life and finally let the past go.
Within minutes, he stepped into the town square. All of the shops were decorated just as he had remembered it from years ago with lights, ribbons, and ornaments, and snow lay upon the ground, as if it had been ordered especially for the occasion.
His eyes scanned the crowd, but Jocelyn was nowhere to be found. Then he saw Kiki and rushed up to her. "Have you seen Jocelyn?"
She shrugged. "Earlier at work."
"Is she coming tonight?"
Kiki shook her head. "I don't think so. I tried my best to get her to come, but she kept saying that she was going home." Then a broad smile spread across her face. "I have an idea." She took out her cell phone and texted something into it. She looked up at him and smiled. "I asked her if she was coming and she said that she's here."
"Okay, thanks," Caden replied, rushing off. "I'll find her!"
He searched the crowd, looking at every face, and hoping beyond all hope that he found Jocelyn. Then the parade started, and huge floats passed around the town square. Santa's Workshop, complete with elves who were throwing out candy; Rudolf heading up Santa's sleigh; but the one he liked the most was a manger scene with Santa kneeling before the baby Jesus, placing a gift at His feet. But Caden kept scanning the crowd, looking for Jocelyn.
Suddenly, Mallory's float came around the corner. She was smiling broadly and waving, wearing a red evening gown. Then he had an idea and pushed through the crowd and ran toward the float.
"Have you seen Jocelyn?" he asked her, running beside the float. The other girls on the float with Mallory were frowning at him, but he didn't care.
"She said she was coming!" Mallory shouted down to him. Any other time, he would have thought she would have been mad for stealing her limelight, but she actually appeared to be happy.
Caden jogged alongside the float. "I've been looking for her and can't find her!"
"What?" Mallory bent down, straining to hear him over the crowd.
Then Caden had an idea and jumped up onto the float. The other girls moaned and complained, but both he and Mallory paid no attention. Since there was little room on the float to stand, he stood close to Mallory. "I said that I've been looking but I can't find her."
"Well, let's find her together!" Mallory replied. "Caden, I'm sorry about everything and I hope we can be friends."
He looked into her eyes and gave her a hug. "Always." Then he pulled back and looked over the crowd, when his eyes met Jocelyn's. But she frowned and turned away.
"Jocelyn!" Caden yelled as he jumped off the float and headed in the direction where he had seen her. "Jocelyn, wait!" He pushed through the crowd and finally he saw her retreating back.

***
"Wait!" Caden yell behind her, but Jocelyn moved through the crowd as quickly as she could.
I am so stupid, Jocelyn thought to herself. As she walked away, she wondered how Mallory could be so cruel as to tell her that she and Caden weren't in love with each other, that they were just friends- when she saw him hug her on the float.
"Jocelyn, wait!" Caden's voice grew louder, but Jocelyn pushed through the crowd as quickly as she could manage. She was going to go home and hide forever. "Jocelyn!" Caden's voice was right behind her and then she felt his strong hand grip her arm. "Jocelyn, I'm glad you came."
"Are you?" she narrowed her eyes at him and pulled away. She started walking away, but he grabbed her arm again, not letting her go.
"Wait! I have to talk to you!" When she turned around, his eyes were almost pleading. "Jocelyn, don't walk away from me."
She smirked. "I'm such an idiot." She turned to walk away, but he wouldn't release her. "Let me go!" She tried to pull away, but he had a death grip and wouldn't release her. People in the crowd frowned, narrowing their eyes. For a split second, she thought of yelling for help, but she didn't want a fight on her hands.
"Jocelyn, hear me out," Caden begged.
She stared at him, waiting.
"I'm sorry about the whole going to California and Mallory thing--"
"Really? You're sorry?" she asked in disbelief.
"Yes, of course." A crease formed between his eyes. "Jocelyn, what's wrong with you?"
She scoffed. "What's wrong with me? You are playing me and my sister and you're asking me what's wrong with me. I think I need to be asking you that." She pulled her arm away and started through the crowd.
"Jocelyn-." He quickly caught up with her and grabbed her arm again.
"Let go of me!" Jocelyn yelled, having had enough.
"Jocelyn, I love you." Caden's eyes were pleading.
Jocelyn froze as she looked into his eyes. "You love me? How can I believe you?"
He pulled her to his chest. "Because you already know."
Jocelyn's eyes filled with tears. "Caden, I just saw you hugging my sister."
Caden leaned back, surprise coloring his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"On the float- just now." Jocelyn let out a deep breath, waiting for the realization to set in. Finally, she let out a deep breath. "I saw you standing on the float with Mallory and you had your arms around her."
Caden smiled. "I gave her a hug because we agreed to be friends." He looked into her eyes. "She was helping me look for you."
"Why?" she asked in disbelief.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and looked into her eyes. "So I could tell you that I love you and I always will." Before she could say anything, his lips descended upon hers as passioned filled her body. At that moment, she could see nothing, hear nothing, feel nothing but Caden. All of the years of pent up emotion were released in this one kiss.
"I love you, too," she said when she pulled back. "I've loved you for a very long time, and I always will."
One corner of his lips curled into a smile. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather be with Kyle Masterson or some other guy?"
She shook her head, smiling. "There's never been anyone else for me but you." This time, she reached up and pressed her lips to his, knowing she had finally found a home in Caden's arms. And she knew it was true. There would never be another man for her than Caden, the only man she had ever loved.