Page 50 of A Cozy Kind of Christmas
FORTY-SEVEN
MEG
Meg practically skipped to the lodge. Even the thought of seeing Matt and Lucinda couldn’t drag her spirits down.
Jill was pregnant, and Owen was definitely going to propose—in the most romantic way, no less.
It was like the Universe was helping to soften the blow by giving her something good—something wonderful—to focus on instead.
When she entered the lodge, which had been transformed into a winter wonderland, the party was already in full swing.
Everything was washed in variegated shades of green—glittery green ornaments and garlands framing the windows, swaths of green fabric draped from the rafters, and a sea of guests whirling around the room in festive gowns and well-cut suits.
Dozens of Christmas trees lined the open ballroom, stretching to the vaulted ceiling with dazzling lights and glitzy baubles.
Bright twinkle lights, velvet green ribbons, and glass ornaments cascaded from every branch.
The scent of pine and cinnamon mingled with the faint smell of woodsmoke from the fire.
At the far end of the room, a vintage wood sleigh for photos had been placed in front of the huge bay windows. It sat on a patch of fake snow, complete with bundles of firewood and wrapped gift boxes. A sign read: Welcome to Blazen’s Winter Wonderland.
Long tables covered in green tablecloths were filled with silver platters and cake stands with an assortment of holiday delights—puffed cranberry and Brie pastries, winter salads, buttery rolls, ham, salmon, potatoes au gratin, chocolate and peppermint tea cakes, poached pears, and flaming crème br?lée.
A birthday cake with marzipan Woodlawn creatures, spun sugar snowflakes, and fondant trees took up an entire round table.
Matt’s name was written in sparklers, and the Blazen company logo was oddly displayed amongst the mouth-watering spread.
The bar was buzzing as bartenders in green suit jackets poured generous glasses of wine and pints of beer.
Thanks to a five-piece band, music wafted from the dance floor.
Christmas carols filled the warm room, serenading guests.
Glittery ornaments the size of Meg’s head hung from the ceiling like disco balls, reflecting the candlelight.
The whole room pulsed with happy energy—clinking glasses and laughter.
Meg felt like she’d stepped into a real-life snow globe.
Everything was flawless.
Perfect.
Magical.
Just right for a winter wonderland proposal.
Meg sighed and scanned the large room. There were cozy seating sections with couches where people could gather and high-top tables to rest drinks. Wait staff circled with trays of delectable bites.
Meg frowned, spotting more Blazen logos tucked among the décor, reminding guests that Lucinda’s family was sponsoring this party. What was the deal with the subtle corporate branding?
She spotted Matt deep in conversation with a man she could only assume was Lucinda’s dad—Howard Hinton.
He was dressed in a sharp, tailored black suit accented with a dark green tie and matching boutonnière.
His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked down, and his beard was tightly trimmed.
Meg couldn’t tell what they were talking about, but whatever they were saying, Howard didn’t look happy about their conversation.
His lips were pursed in a tight frown, and his closed-off body language and the way he kept shaking his head made her sure he didn’t agree with whatever Matt was saying.
“Meg, you’re here!” Lucinda swept up to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder like they were long-lost friends.
She was a vision in a gauzy sage green gown that clung to her hips and was cut in a plunging V to highlight her ample chest. “You look absolutely adorable.” She caught Meg’s arm and studied her dress, appraising her from head to toe like she was a project that needed work.
“Love the black-and-green plaid—super cute.”
Adorable? Super cute?
Wasn’t she long past adorable at almost thirty?
But Lucinda wasn’t wrong. In comparison to Matt’s girlfriend, Meg was the cute, short friend—relegated to best friend status forever.
“Thanks.” She managed to smile. “You look stunning.”
“This?” Lucinda smoothed down her dress. “It’s an old one. I thought I was going to retire it for good, but tonight—this most auspicious occasion—called for something, hmm, well, what’s the word I’m looking for?”
“Gorgeous?” Meg offered.
Lucinda chuckled, brushing her off with a half wave. “Not at all. I was thinking more along the lines of ‘formal.’ It’s a formality now, isn’t it?” She glanced toward her dad and Matt.
Meg frowned. That was an odd way to speak about an engagement. Lucinda sounded almost resigned like it was a business transaction. She wasn’t closing a deal; she was about to commit to a lifetime of happiness with the man they both loved.
Only what if she didn’t?
What if Johanna and Jill were right?
Was the impending engagement just that—a corporate merger? A way to strengthen the company’s position after Lucinda’s dad stepped down?
What if she read the situation wrong?
What if this was her last chance to be honest with Matt about her feelings?
Emphasis on “last.”
Matt thought she was brave before.
But could she do it?
Could she tell him she was still in love with him?
“Shall we get a drink?” Lucinda looped her arm through Meg’s and dragged her toward the bar. “I need a shot of something strong to get through tonight.”
“Are you nervous?” Meg asked, glancing at the drink menu.
The holiday theme continued with brandy Alexanders—Matt’s favorite creamy winter drink made with rich vanilla malted ice cream and blended with brandy.
The classics were all featured as well—hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps and peppermint whipped cream, cranberry mules, hot buttered rum, and cider mulled with warming spices.
“Do I look nervous?” Lucinda asked, holding out quivering hands for Meg. But she didn’t wait for a response. “I’ll take a hot butter rum with an extra shot,” she said to the bartender. “No, actually, make that a triple.” She shot Meg an impish grin. “Better to be a little buzzed, yeah?”
“I’ll take a winter solstice ale,” Meg said to the bartender before assuring Lucinda that she looked fine. “Why are you so nervous? Shouldn’t this be the most exciting night of your life?” If Matt was about to propose to her, she didn’t think she’d need a drink—or three—to get her nerves in check.
“Way to reframe it for me,” Lucinda said, holding her glass up in a toast. “That’s such a better perspective.
Tonight is certainly going to change my future forever.
I wish I were as brave as you, but nope, I’m riddled with anxiety.
I have no idea how he’s going to react. I’ve tried to prepare for every possible scenario, but there’s just no way to know how this is going to go. ”
Lucinda sounded tepid at best. Measured. Careful. Nervous.
What was going on? Was she having second thoughts?
Or was she hinting that maybe she knew Matt had had a change of heart?
Meg’s stomach fluttered with a glimmer of hope.
Was this her in? Her chance?
Meg would never intentionally sabotage someone else’s relationship. She didn’t need that kind of karma.
But was Matt and Lucinda’s love story one for the ages? The way Lucinda was talking, their relationship seemed more like a mutually beneficial merger. She suddenly wasn’t convinced that their connection was anything more than a strategic business move.
Not at all like the fiery friendship she and Matt once shared.
Lucinda raised her glass. “To new friends and a new decade.”
They clinked their glasses together.
Meg forced a smile, but she wasn’t sure if it was a toast or a warning.