Page 1 of Christmas Replay (Majestic Falls: Christmas Spice #4)

Alissa Lawson

“Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. But the very next day—”

“Not today, Taylor,” I huffed as I slammed my hand over the power button on the radio to shut off Taylor Swift.

“Hey!” Charlotte complained over the din of the patrons in Midnight Java . “I love that song.”

“Alissa can’t bear that one,” Julia said from the register. “It reminds her of Heathcliff and makes her sad.”

“Don’t call him that,” I snapped, rolling my eyes. “That’s not his name.”

“What am I missing?” Charlotte asked, walking over to join us at the counter. “This sounds like a story.”

“It’s not,” I insisted. “There’s no story.”

“Bullshit,” Julia said, her grin widening as she turned to Charlotte. “You didn’t start until March, so you didn’t witness the fallout. But last Christmas, Alissa was working alone, and Heathcliff—”

“His name is Cliff,” I interrupted.

“Whatever,” Julia continued, waving aside my protest. “So, Cliff comes in at closing and sweeps our boss off her feet. She spent five minutes with the guy, and she was head over heels. He was all she could talk about for weeks.”

“That’s an exaggeration,” I muttered.

It definitely wasn’t what happened. Not quite. It was close enough for Charlotte, I supposed. I could almost see little heart emojis glowing in her eyes as she listened to Julia tell the romantic nature of the story.

To be honest, it was kind of romantic. That night. Then…nothing. Just lonely real life. A year later, I’d thought I was over the whole thing—until the Christmas season got into full swing. Then it all came rushing back.

That night, a year ago, at a few minutes to eight, the door of Midnight Java opened, accompanied by the cheerful tinkling of the overhead bell. I looked up in time to see the most handsome man I’d ever seen walked inside.

I set aside the broom I’d been using, and headed to the register.

“Are you open?” he asked, meeting me at the counter.

“Just barely,” I admitted. “I was just about to lock up, but the machines are still on. What can I get you?”

“Just a coffee would be great,” he said. “I wasn’t sure anything would be open.”

“We’re probably the only place that still is,” I told him as I prepared his order. “I try to stay open a little later for travelers.”

“Well, I appreciate it,” he told me. “This is a cute place.”

“Thank you.” I smiled as I handed him his cup. “I opened it about a year ago, and I’ve worked really hard on building it.”

“Oh, it’s yours?” he asked, seeming impressed as he glanced around again.

“Guilty.”

“It’s nice. Cozy.” He lifted the cup. “How much do I owe you?”

“Don’t worry about it,” I insisted. “It would have been dumped out, anyway. Can I get you anything else?”

“I don’t suppose you have any food? Which, of course, I would insist on paying for.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said. “I let the inventory run down, so it wouldn’t go bad over the holiday. Once I lock up tonight, we’ll be closed through New Year’s Day.” I bit my lip then smiled. “You know what? I have a sandwich I forgot to eat earlier.”

“I couldn’t take your own food.” He shook his head.

It was the strangest thing, but I didn’t want him to leave.

We’d been pretty slow after six, so I hadn’t seen anyone in a couple hours.

And I found that I wanted to know a little more about him.

Travelers fascinated me, and if he were hungry, the least I could do was share a turkey sandwich in exchange for his story.

“I insist,” I assured him. “Go have a seat, and I’ll bring it over.”

He settled into a table by the electric fireplace while I retrieved my lunch from the fridge, and I met him there, with plates and napkins.

“You’re very kind,” he said, accepting half of the sandwich.

“I’m nosy,” I told him. “Where are you headed?”

“My parents’ house,” he admitted. “They live up in up near the falls—past them, near the ridge—but with the way it’s snowing, it’ll take me forever to get up there.”

The falls. Only people who lived around here, or had visited here often, would call the actual Majestic Falls that. The town was named after them.

“Oh, it’s beautiful up there,” I said with a smile. “How long will you be staying with them?”

“Just through tomorrow,” he told me. “Then I’ll head back to the city—New York City.”

“That’s a long hike for just one night,” I said, surprised.

“Yeah,” he agreed with a shrug. “But you know, it’s family. My mom wanted me there for Christmas morning. Only my dad knows I’m coming, and it’s a surprise for her.”

“I bet she’ll be thrilled.”

He grimaced comically. “I hope so. So what are your plans for Christmas, since we’re being nosy.”

“Nothing, and that’s perfect,” I said with a laugh. “I’m going to curl up in a chair with a book, some hot tea and an electric blanket. Then I’m not moving until I reopen the shop.”

“That sounds really nice,” he said, his tone almost wistful. “I can’t remember the last time I relaxed.”

“What do you do?” I asked him.

“I’m a lawyer,” he admitted. “But please, don’t hold it against me.”

I laughed, then we both fell silent as we ate. It was more companionable than some meals I’d shared with friends. Something about this man comforted me, and I was very glad he’d stopped in.

The radio station changed songs then, and Taylor Swift’s version of Last Christmas played softly through the speakers.

“I love this song,” he said. “Is that weird? For a guy to be a Swiftie?”

“No,” I replied. “I like this song, too. Though, I personally think Wham’s version is better.”

He stood and held out his hand to me. I smiled and took it, then suddenly, I was in his arms and we were dancing. We swayed together, our gazes locked as the twinkle lights I’d decorated with flashed and Taylor Swift serenaded our strange situation.

“I’m Cliff,” he whispered.

“Alissa,” I responded, my voice soft, as well.

“It’s been lovely to meet you,” he said.

“You, too,” I admitted. “I suppose this is where you tell me you have to get going?”

“I do,” he said sadly. “I’ve still got navigate up the side of a snowy mountain, and it’s already almost nine. I should have gone already, but something urged me to stop. I’m glad I did.”

“Nine? Is it?” I felt my eyes widen in surprise.

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” he said.

The song changed, and we stayed there, standing in each other’s arms, staring into each other’s eyes, as if neither of us knew what to do now.

Then his head dipped, I tilted my face up, and our lips touched. It was soft, almost chaste, but the kiss had my heart thundering in my chest. As far as first kisses went, it was pretty stellar.

“Merry Christmas, Alissa.” Cliff stepped back, grabbed his coat from his seat then walked out the door.

“Merry Christmas,” I whispered after him.

That Christmas Eve, I’d spent hours cleaning the store and stocking the shelves. I’d told myself it was just so I’d be prepared to reopen, but deep down, I knew it was because I wished Cliff would change his mind and come back.

But he never did.

Julia was right. It had taken me months to recover from Cliffgate as she’d dubbed it.

And now, a year later, tomorrow was Christmas Eve.

Everything I’d felt that night in Cliff’s arms had rushed back.

I knew it was ridiculous to hope he’d show up again, but I’d made sure I was the only one on the schedule to close.

Just in case.