*My 25 Days of Christmas Writing Challenge story from Instagram*

The bells on the door jingled as someone walked into the flower shop. Holly looked up with a smile.  Her cheerful greeting died as she spied Aiden. Without thinking, Holly ducked down behind the poinsettias and prayed he wouldn’t notice her. She definitely was not ready to see him again.

It wasn’t pragmatic, but Holly hoped he’d go away if no one appeared to help him.

“Hello? Holly?”

She bit her lip and scooped up a few wilted leaves before she stood up. Aiden’s eyes widened as she popped up, but she pretended not to notice. “May I help you?”

His lips twitched. “Were you hiding?”

“I was cleaning.” She held up the leaves and glared at him.

“Oh-kay.” He stretched out the word as the corner of his mouth curled up.

Her eyes narrowed as she turned as blustery as the weather. “Not everything is about you, Aiden James.”

He took a step back. The smile disappeared from his face.

Holly refused to feel bad. It wasn’t her fault. He was responsible for everything.

Aiden took a deep breath as he glanced around the shop. “It sure looks festive in here. You did a good job making it Christmassy.”

“Are you serious? After what you did, I’m surprised you were brave enough to come in here.” The leaves crunched in her hands as she balled them into fists. “Why are you here?”

Aiden rubbed the back of his neck and shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

“I’m here to apologize.”

Holly’s mouth dropped. “What?”

“You were right to challenge me, but it scared me. I didn’t know what to do or say.” His gaze dropped to his toes and boomeranged back. “I’m really sorry for blowing you off and disappearing. I’ve regretted it every day since.”

Bits of dry leaf floated to the ground from her hand. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “You left, Aiden. Saying you’re sorry isn’t enough. This isn’t a sappy Hallmark movie, you know.”

“Believe me, Holly. I know. I’m not really here to ask you to take me back.”

Holly’s stomach clenched like she’d eaten a whole cake, dense heavy fruitcake. She had the overwhelming urge to heave. Her feelings hadn’t disappeared during his five week absence, but apparently his had. It wasn’t fair. “You’ve apologized, so maybe you should leave.”

“I’m not done,” he said. “Let me finish.”

She forgot the crumpled leaves in her hands and folded her arms. Bits stuck to her sweater, but she ignored them.

Aiden’s eyes were shadowed. “I’m not Scrooge. I know I won’t dream and wake up a changed man, but I’m working on being the kind of man you want.”

The flower shop felt suffocating. Heat crept up her neck into her cheeks. Had she heard him right? “What exactly are you here for?”

“I know I don’t deserve a second chance, but I hope you will give me one.”

“You are asking me to take you back, aren’t you?”

Aiden shook his head. “I’m not brave enough to ask for a miracle.”

Holly raised her eyebrows.

“I was hoping that you’d…” He shuffled his feet back and forth. “That is, I’d like to take you out to eat. Will you have dinner with me tonight?”

“Dinner? Tonight, with you?”

Aiden’s face lit up as he nodded.

Holly could not believe it. She’d been crushed when he’d garbled excuses and left without saying goodbye that night. After two years together, she deserved better than that, especially since all she’d done was ask if he ever thought about marriage.

“Please, Holly.”

If there had been any fire in his anxious voice, Holly would have turned him down flat, but the emotional strain in his voice was new. She’d never heard it before. Whatever his reason, he wanted time with her. Studying his earnest face and tense posture reassured her of that.

“Fine, we can have dinner.”

The stress in his face gave way to relief.

Holly held up her index finger. “One time.”

“Thank you, Holly.” His hand lifted, but he withdrew it before he touched her. “I’ll pick you up at seven when the shop closes.”

“I’ll meet you there.”

His short chuckle was subdued. “I guess I deserve that.”

“And more.”

She was surprised when he nodded in agreement. She expected a protest. Maybe he did regret walking away. Could the two of them still have a future? Could she learn to trust him again? Only time would tell.

“Meet me at Pete’s Pizza just after seven?”

“See you there.” Holly’s rebellious heart skipped a beat. They went there on their first date and held hands for the first time.

“You won’t regret it, I promise.”

“I better not,” she muttered under her breath as he exited the store.

Holly, her heart pounding, walked into Pete’s Pizza. She stopped inside the door and scanned the tables for Aiden. It felt like old times.

The door opened behind her. It was Aiden.

His grin bloomed. “Are you under the mistletoe on purpose?”

“What? No!” Holly jumped sideways, away from him.

“Relax, I’m just kidding.”

She sniffed. “I don’t remember your jokes being that bad.”

“If you’re going to forget things, forget Halloween. Don’t forget the good stuff.”

“Like our moonlit walks?”

He smiled and nodded.

“It’s going to take more than pizza and moonlight to make me forget about Halloween.”

“Holly, Aiden? Are you guys here together?” The hostess’s eyes bulged.

Holly blushed. Aiden nodded.

“Your favorite booth is open right now.”

Only Aiden’s hand on her back made Holly move. She’d rather wear a teddy bear costume at a toddler’s party than sit in the cozy romantic booth.

People noticed them. Low chatter filled Pete’s as they walked to the circular booth. Holly automatically slid into her side.

Aiden sat. “Maybe I should feel bad about sitting here, but I don’t. I’ve miss you, Holly.”

“You knew where I was, which is more than I can say about you.”

His shoulders slumped. “I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have walked away because I panicked.”

“Then why didn’t you come back?”

“After a few days I didn’t think you would forgive me.” He sighed.

“I was in love with you.”

“I still love you. I want to make it right.”

Holly shook her head. “I have a list of reasons to walk away. How can you possibly make it right?”

“I don’t know if I can, but I want to try.” He dug in his pocket. “I bought something three weeks ago. I hope to give it to you someday.”

Holly’s heart swooped like Santa’s sleigh as light twinkled off the diamond solitaire in his hand. Her jaw dropped. “Are you proposing?”

“Not yet. I have to earn back your trust first. I need you to know that’s where my heart is. I want to spend my life with you.”

“My trust isn’t that easy to earn.”

“I know, but it is worth waiting for.”

A passing waitress saw the ring and squealed. “Y’all are getting engaged?”

Her words rang through the restaurant. Thunderous applause, louder than fireworks, echoed through the small building.

Holly frowned and shook her head no.

The applause died.

Holly looked at Aiden, who stared at the ring.

“We aren’t engaged,” announced Holly. “But I think we will be eventually.”

Aiden’s head jerked up. The corners of his mouth lifted.

Relieved cheers rocked the restaurant as she scooted across the seat and into his open arms.