What Romance Novels are Made of

Zoe lived up to her word by ordering more pizza than four people could eat and making dozens of homemade gingerbread cookies. And only half of them burned. Despite Sam’s complaints, Katie savored every one of them. It had been a long time since she’d had anything that wasn’t fast food or didn’t come in a package.

“That’s what I get for trying to be nice to you people,” Zoe said through a mouthful of pizza.

Katie laughed and picked up another cookie that was only half-burned. “Good thing the mayor’s budget is paying for it.”

Sam froze, his pizza halfway to his mouth. “I don’t remember having a place in the budget for bingeing on pizza and cookies.”

“It’s the end of the year and I may have found a little extra,” Zoe said, waving him off. “Use it or lose it, right?”

“I don’t think the taxpayers would agree,” Sam said. “Being under budget is a good thing, remember? Besides, we’ll already be going over budget with the festival.”

What he didn’t say was that it was Katie’s fault. She had demanded more than twice the pay of their previous coordinator, and even though they didn’t seem to hold it against her, Katie felt a prick of guilt.

“Do you know what your previous coordinator budgeted for?” Katie asked. Maybe she could find other areas where she could cut down the spending.

“Unfortunately, no,” Zoe said. “But we do have last year’s budget, if you want to see it. I can already tell you that food will be your biggest expense.”

If Katie could spend less on food—

“A salsa contest,” she blurted out.

Sam eyed her warily. “Come again?”

“We’ll provide all the chips people can eat, and we’ll host a salsa contest where everyone can vote for their favorite salsas. That will make it so we’re not providing all the food, and it gets the town involved.”

“Hate to break it to you, but salsa isn’t exactly what people will be expecting,” Ruby said. “Hot chocolate, wassail, desserts—that’s what people want.”

Zoe held up a finger. “Now, hold on. We’ll still have all the sweet stuff that people can buy, but I think Katie’s on to something. Sure, it’s not traditionally what we have, but salsa is the ultimate Christmas food. It’s nothing but shades of red and green. Add in white tortilla chips, and you have yourself a festive feast.”

Sam nodded slowly. “There are plenty of people in town who love to show off their salsa skills any chance they get. It would certainly get people involved.” He paused, then his face lit up. “Katie,” he said, turning to face her. “I think you just saved this festival. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but the holiday festival is something the town looks forward to every year.”

Katie glanced down, not sure what to say. She could tell Sam meant it, and the fact that they appreciated skills that she didn’t even know she had…it was overwhelming. Katie wasn’t just surviving anymore. She was contributing.

Biting down on her lip so she wouldn’t tear up in front of the others, she offered a small smile. “I’m glad you like it.”

“You sure you don’t want to stick around?” Sam teased. “With ideas like salsa contests, you’re practically a New Mexican already.” There was something in the way he said it, like there was more to what he was saying—something below the surface.

Before Katie could respond, Zoe jumped in. “I agree. Katie, just consider the possibility. I know you have other plans, but I’ve kinda liked having you for a roommate.”

Not sure how to handle all the love, Katie defaulted to sarcasm. “What is this, is someone hiding with a camera? Is it National We Love Katie Day?” As soon as she said it, the room filled with a stifling silence and Katie’s stomach felt like it had been filled with lead. Now they were getting a taste of her true personality—the side of her she wished would stay buried.

Disappointment flickered across Sam’s features, but it quickly morphed into his politician’s ‘nothing can faze me’ face. “I think we’ve got a good handle on things,” he said, standing up. “Katie, you’ll contact the vendors on Monday?”

Good thing all she had to do was walk to the park and they’d all be there. “Yes, sir,” she said, matching his formality.

Sam paused, his face emotionless, then started clearing the table of empty plates and half-eaten cookies that had already hardened. Katie watched him, regretting how the last thirty seconds had unfolded.

Zoe glanced between Sam and Katie, then stood to help clean up. “Has anyone told you about the luminaria event tonight?” she asked, turning to Katie.

“Um…no. I don’t know even know what that is.”

“It’s one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen. You should definitely go,” Ruby said.

“Not only should you go, but you should make a few yourself,” Zoe said. “I have all the stuff we need and then you can join us in the impossible task of finding yours among the other thousands that will be there.”

“I still don’t understand what you’re talking about,” Katie said.

“Thousands of bags that people have cut designs into, then illuminated from the inside,” Ruby said. “You have to make at least one. It’s tradition.”

“That reminds me,” Sam said. “Zoe, shall I still plan on picking you up at seven?”

Zoe wrinkled her nose. “We’ve been over this. I know that you think you need to be seen at these things with a different girl on your arm each time, but please, keep me out of the rotation.”

Katie balked. “You have a rotation of girls that you attend events with?”

“It’s not like I like any of them,” Sam said. “But I can’t show up to town events alone.”

“Gee, thanks,” Zoe said. “Now you can really count me out of the rotation.” Then her eyes lit up. “I know, you should take Katie.”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” Sam and Katie said at the same time. Sam’s cheeks reddened, and Katie could feel hers doing the same.

“You should take Ruby,” Katie said. “That would be really sweet, the mayor taking his sister.”

This time, Ruby reddened. She glanced down. “I can’t go—too far of a drive.”

“How far is it?” Katie asked.

“You’ll be fine, it’s not too bad,” Ruby assured her. “It’s just that, for me, anywhere that involves getting in a car is too far of a drive.”

Katie wanted to ask more, but Zoe jumped in. “So, it’s settled. You’ll be attending the luminarias with Sam tonight.”

“I don’t really get into holiday stuff,” Katie said.

“And yet you have just planned the most amazing holiday festival,” Ruby said.

“Planning is not the same thing as attending.”

Sam’s gaze snapped toward Katie. “You’re not planning on being at the holiday festival?”

Katie shrugged. “Bev is managing everything during the actual event, so I don’t really need to be, right?”

“I guess so. I just thought…” Sam’s voice tapered off. “Anyway, I have some stuff I gotta get done. I’ll pick you up at seven, Zoe. Don’t stand me up.” And then he practically ran out of the room.

“At least take a bag with you to make your luminaria,” Zoe called after him.

Katie released a long breath. “I’m sorry,” she said, glancing between Zoe and Ruby. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I always seem to say the wrong thing.” She paused. Here it was again. A chance to be real. “I wasn’t trying to be rude when you guys asked me to stay. I’ve just never had anyone care about what I did, and I wasn’t quite sure how to handle it.”

“Don’t worry about Sam. He didn’t leave because of you,” Ruby said. “Actually, he did, but not for the reason you might think.” She hesitated. “You know, you might not know how to handle someone caring about you, but Sam doesn’t know how to handle being the one who cares. This is new territory for him.”

“What are you talking about?” Katie asked. “He seems like he really cares about this town.”

“Sure, he cares about the town and what happens in it,” Zoe said, grabbing some white paper bags and scissors from off the counter. “But that’s not the same as caring about a person. It’s like when an astronaut looks down at the earth from space. The earth is simple and beautiful. But once you get closer and you have to deal with individual countries, cities, people—it’s complex and messy.”

“And so you jump back into your rocket and hang out in the loneliness of space because that’s a heck of a lot more comfortable than dealing with all of us crazies,” Ruby finished.

What were they trying to tell her, that after just a few days Sam actually cared for her? That couldn’t be right.

“But he cares about you guys,” Katie pointed out.

“True,” Ruby said, sitting back down at the table and beginning to cut the side of her bag as she talked. “But it’s different. I’m the sister and Zoe’s the assistant who also doubles as a confidante. You’re—you. The attractive stranger who mysteriously shows up and steals the mayor’s heart.”

Zoe nodded. “Seriously, it’s like the stuff romance novels are made of.”

“But—I don’t want to be in a romance novel. I don’t want to be in a romance, period. You’ve got the wrong girl,” Katie protested. Her chest started constricting and she focused on slowing her breathing. This was not what she’d signed up for.

“We both sense what amazing chemistry you two have, but I’ll tell you what,” Zoe said. “Go with Sam to the luminarias tonight. If we’re wrong and you don’t feel even the slightest attraction toward him, I’ll see what I can do to help get you your check faster so you can skip town before the holiday festival.”

Katie didn’t ask what would happen if they were right. She didn’t want to know the answer.

“And I’ll still receive the full amount?” Katie asked, picking up a bag and a pair of scissors.

“Yup.”

“All right,” Katie said. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

Zoe smiled and held up her bag. She had cut the outline of a heart. “And you’ve got yourself a date.”