“Hmm, maybe it’s because it’s Christmas Eve.”
He takes a sip of his coffee, then connects his gaze with mine. “Thank you for coming. I feel bad taking you away from your family on Christmas Eve, but mine is relentless in their pursuit of finding me a wife.”
“Not interested?”
“Not at this time. I’m focused on my career, and even though I would love to have a family someday, that day hasn’t come yet. No matter how much I explain that to my parents, they still keep asking me for a daughter-in-law and grandchildren.” He takes another sip of his drink.
“That must be frustrating,” I say, validating his feelings. I don’t touch on the topic of him taking me away from my family on Christmas Eve. No sense in ruining the mood when I just met him.
“So what do you do, Holly North? Tell me everything I need to know about my stand-in girlfriend. Or what did you say in your bio? Holidate?”
We share a smile at my play on words.
“Well, there’s not much to tell. I am the manager at a bookstore. My best friend, and roommate, is an overweight cat named Potato. He’s brown, so the name is quite fitting.”
“That’s it?”
“For now.”
“That’s fair.”
We both wear coy smiles as we stop to take sips of our drinks, and I shyly avert his gaze, looking around the quiet coffee shop instead.
“So, you’re sure you’re comfortable with today? I know Julian isn’t exactly close, and the roads are a bit messy,” Lincoln asks considerately before taking another gulp.
“I’ll be fine. I don’tloveit, but I’ll just take my time while on the road.”
“I’m so sorry I can’t drive you. I wish I hadn’t promised my parents I’d stay over, but it also means I would have had to drive into the mountains two days in a row.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t make any sense!” I exclaim a little too enthusiastically. I set my cup on the table, but to my dismay, I accidently place the edge of it on a piece of the wood that’s slightly higher than the rest, and before I know what’s happening, my latte spills everywhere.
I gasp, pushing to my feet as the liquid rolls from the table into my lap. “Oh, my gosh!”
Lincoln springs into action, tossing napkins all around the table to absorb the mess.
“Are you okay? Did it burn you?”
Shaking my head, I start to dab at the coffee on my pants. “No, it cooled off, thank God.”
“Good. Here, let me go grab more napkins.”
As Lincoln walks to the counter, I look down at my soaked jeans and inwardly groan.
Of course, this happened.
“I’m so sorry,” I tell him, taking the napkins from his hand when he returns. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be! It happens to the best of us. Honestly, I’m surprised it wasn’t me who did it.” He tries to stifle a yawn at the end of his sentence, but is unsuccessful. “I’m sorry, that was incredibly rude.”
“Don’t be sorry, you’re exhausted. Look, I’m covered in coffee, you’re about three seconds away from falling asleep at this table. Why don’t we go our separate ways and I’ll see you up at your parents’ house in a few hours? Three o’clock, right?”
“Yes. Thank you, Holly. I’m so sorry I’m lousy company right now. I wasn’t planning on working a double last night.”
“Saving lives is more important than a coffee date, Lincoln. Trust me, I’m not offended in the least.”
“So, I’ll see you later, then?” he asks, and it’s as though he’s feeling a little…shy? Maybe out of his element is the better phrase.
I can tell he’s the type of man who usually oozes confidence, but right now, it’s almost like the boyish side has come out and he’s unsure of this whole situation.
