From the corner of my eyes, I could see Scott observing us, a twitching grin on his face. “Well, how can either of us say no to that?” he said, then stood, draining the last of his coffee, and shoving his arms back through his coat. “So, why don’t you guys get your shopping done while the rest of us are skiing and then we’ll all meet back up tonight at the tree trimming?” His gaze shifted briefly to me. “I have a thing after that, but it won’t belong.”
I blinked, looking to Taylor for confirmation. His jaw tightened for only the briefest moment, like he wasn’t entirely comfortable with a giant town function. But then, he nodded. “I look forward to it,” hesaid.
And with a quick pat to Maisey’s head, Scott shuffled out of thehouse.
* * *
After we had breakfast,Taylor and I spent the day downtown, walking around, browsing the various small businessstores.
Maisey tugged on her leash, bounding into the snow drifts and nearly yanking my armoff.
“So, what are some of your traditions?” Taylor asked, scuffing his feet against the shoveled sidewalk. The snow banks on either side of us were hulking and piled with freshly shoveledmountains.
“Scott and I always get each other Christmas pajamas and a movie—usually something really atrocious— and then we draw straws to see whose movie we have to watch. We get into our new pj’s, make cocoa and watch the movie, sometimes bothmovies.”
His fingers, laced with mine, squeezed in a tender gesture as he smiled in my direction. “Sounds like a pretty perfect Christmastradition.”
Large snowflakes continued to fall from the bright blue sky in the sort of snow that looked fake because it was so beautiful. One large snowflake landed on my cheek and with his thumb, Taylor swiped it away before bending and kissing me. I was aware of every centimeter of his body that was touching me. from the light brush of his thumb on my cheekbone to his other hand, still laced in mine; how his nose skimmed the side of my face and the way his shoulder would sometimes brush against mine with every step. And of course, hislips.
Those skilled, full, talented lips ofhis.
I moaned into his kiss, craving more. Wanting to drive my tongue into his mouth and slide it along his. Only a sense of propriety stopped me. Not only was I a teacher in this very small town, but there was already bound to be gossip spreading like wildfire at the mere sight of us walking hand in hand. But now? Making out in the towncenter?
Everyone would know by the time the tree lighting began that Taylor and I were together. And I couldn’t help the small sense of unease I felt because of it. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours yet and I was sure that somehow, someway, this town and our history would mess it allup.
“I want to ask you something,” Taylor said, breaking the quiet snowfall aroundus.
“Okay.”
“But I don’t want to sound crazy or like I’m moving too fast. I’m justcurious.”
Well, nowIwas curious. “Okay,” I said again. “I promise not to read too much intoit.”
He took a deep breath. “Do you ever think about moving away from MapleGrove?”
“My brother’s here,” I answeredautomatically.
“I know that. But lots of people move away from theirsiblings.”
He was right, of course. “I’ve thought about it,” I answered. In truth, it was something I had thought about more times than I could count. I didn’t love Maple Grove. Sure, it was home. It was where I grew up. Where all my friends and my job were. But I could get another job. I could come visit my friends and see my brother on weekends and holidays. Hell, with how busy we both are, we barely see each other as itis.
“I know you don’t want me reading too much into the question… but why do youask?”
He shrugged. “I like you. This isn’t a one-night stand for me and I want to see where things go between us. But, thinking far into the future—with no promises or guarantees, ofcourse—”
“Ofcourse,” I repeated, mocking him with asmile.
He smiled in return, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I don’t know that I could ever move back here,” he said quietly. “So… I figured if you were hell bent on staying, that was something I should know now. To wrap my head around. Orto…”
The words faded, but I knew what he was saying.To end things now before we get tooserious.
It was all moving fast, whether or not he wanted to admit it. But it was also so refreshing… a man who spoke his thoughts. Who didn’t play games or wait three days before texting me back just to not seem eager. Hewaseager. And so was I. And neither of us minced words aboutthat.
“Okay, honestly? I’ve never had a compelling enough reason to move,” I said. “I’ve been too chicken to audition down in Boston. And to pick up and move elsewhere just to teach at a different school district? It always seemed silly and pointless; like a lateral move. So, I stayed where Iwas.”
This time, his grin widened, forming lines around his eyes. “But if you had a reason…? Like an audition that wentwell?”
“If Ihada good reason, I would consider moving. Not too far. I want to be close enough to drive home on weekends or meet my girlfriends halfway for brunch. I always dreamt of living in a bigger city. Not even necessarily Boston. Maybe Portland or Portsmouth or even a suburb of Boston. I could still Airbnb my home and maybe even Airbnb both sides of my house and make double the income to support me while Iaudition—”
