Mateo picks up a mitten, sled, Santa head, elf, and gingerbread man, while I pick up a candy cane, Christmas tree, sweater, and star. There are red and green boxes at the end of the table to lay the cookies in, so we grab those, too, before going to the frosting table.
Time flies by as we live in the moment while playing with our sugary treats, laughing uncontrollably, and singing painfully off-key along with the carols that play through the sound system. Two hours and twelve horrific-looking cookies later, we finish,both covered in frosting. I’m pretty sure there’s even a glob of it on my eyelash.
“Can I walk you to your car?” Mateo asks as we leave, walking in the direction I arrived in.
“Yeah.” I smile at him and look down at the box in my hand before gazing forward. The parking lot has thinned, and I can see my car in the distance.
Nerves trickle their way back into my system because I know we’ve reached that point in the evening where we’ll arrive at a crossroads, and I’ll have a decision to make.
My stomach dips in anticipation when we come to a stop in front of my car and Mateo takes the box from my hands so I can fish my keys out of my purse. Unlocking it, I watch him open the back driver’s door and place the cookies on the floorboard before shutting them inside.
“I had a great time tonight,” I tell him earnestly. “Thank you for asking me to come with you.”
“This is the most fun I’ve had since I moved here. I haven’t laughed that hard since I was in college.”
I can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard, period.
Placing his box of cookies on top of my car, he steps closer and weaves his hand through my hair, resting it on the back of my neck. His fingers are cold against my skin as he draws me in, and I swallow thickly, wondering if I even really want to kiss him.
When his lips press against mine, butterflies stir in my stomach, taking flight in a slow, melodic way. Mateo kisses with experience, deepening it in a way that’s respectful, yet tells me without words exactly what he’s interested in.
And as much as I enjoyed his company tonight, I’m just not looking for anything further than what we’ve already shared.
I shouldn’t have let him kiss me.
Breaking the kiss, I lick my lips as our gaze meets, and a dopey smile settles on his face.
“Mateo, I really can’t?—”
“Shh,” he whispers, kissing me again softly. “No strings, no sex,” he recites my SparksFly bio. Reaching for the box sitting on my car, he takes it, then buries one hand in his pocket. “I’ll see you around, Holly North. Get home safe.”
Dumbfounded, I watch as he walks backward away from me. “That’s it then?” I call out to him, equal parts happy and confused.
He shrugs and repeats, “Get home safe, Holly,” still walking backward.
Realizing he won’t turn around until I’m in my car, I shake my head and laugh before slipping into the driver's seat. Touching my fingers to my lips, I smile again, feeling like Mateo actually healed something inside me tonight. The date went great, and even though I’m not delusional enough to think they will all go off without a hitch, I can honestly say I’m excited to see what the others bring.
I’m excited for more laughter. More fun. Morewarmth.
I can do this.
Three more weeks. Three more dates.
Maybe this holiday season won’t be as lonely as I thought.
Chapter Four
Message received
Subject: Too forward?
Thanks again for being my date tonight. I’m looking forward to meeting you. I’ll wait for you in front of Cafè 101, and we’ll go in together.
Some things you should know before meeting up with me, in case my coworkers bring it up (our company isn’t huge and everyone knows far too much about each other).
1. I despise onions.
2. I have a scar through my left eyebrow from a BMX biking accident three years ago. Sometimes you truly cannot, in fact, teach an old dog new tricks.
