I hitch a shoulder. “A few we—”
I catch his smirk too late. That’s enough. He knows exactly who we’re talking about.
“Say nothing. Seriously, man. Don’t even breathe a word unless I give the all-clear.”
He dashes one finger over his heart in an X. “I won’t say anything. I’m pulling for you, though.”
I nod, and we go back to drinking our beers in this soft, cozy room.
“Maybe she’ll help you work through your feelings,” he says.
“Don’t.”
His mouth twitches. “It’d be nice to see you get in touch with your softer side.”
“I’m going to leave.”
He points at me like I need to stay where I am. “You just drank a beer.”
“I’ll walk.”
Still, I don’t get up. I don’t want to talk through my feelings, but I like this conversation where Hope and I are almost something real. Something real and out in the open.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he says after a few more minutes. “Truly.”
My heart thumps hard against my ribs. “Me, too.”
We visited each other when I lived in Portland, but not often enough. Nothing like being right across town from each other. Even if I hate the circumstances that brought me back, I’m glad I’m here. Our days in the office can be strained, but evenings like this remind me just how much I like the guy.
“Wearing that elf hat for her would probably seal the deal,” Caleb says.
“That’s it. I’m done.”
So much for brotherly love.
THIRTY-THREE
HOPE
I lockThe Painted Daisy’s door and zip my parka up to my chin. Forty-eight hours to go until tree lighting, and everything’s pulling together. A few meetings, a lot of calls, and a little chaos, but it’s really happening. I have confirmations from all the vendors in the Christmas market, the choir director finalized their songs, and my volunteers for our drinks station more or less knows how to add powdered cocoa mix to hot water. I’ve done just about all I can do.
And now I’ve got a date with Griffin.
My heart glows and soars like Rudolph because it always does when I think about that man. He’s turned out to be completely unexpected but absolutely right. His calm determination makes me feel like anything’s possible, and his fierce protectiveness makes me feel safe like no one else ever has. If I could go back in time, I’d whisper to my high school self playing Kiss, Marry, Kill that she was wiping out the wrong guy.
I touch a finger to the clay waffle hanging from my ear as I turn the corner to the warehouse and see the man himself. Joy shimmers around inside me like a disco ball. And—
“Is that an elf hat?” I draw closer, and sure enough, he’s wearing a bright red and green hat complete with long tail. I flick the end to make the bell jingle. We both had secrets up our sleeves tonight.
He grins. “Seemed appropriate.”
“You really are such a kiss up.”
His eyes heat as they trace my mouth. “I’ve got so much kissing up left to do.”
“Why are you standing out here?”
“Waiting for you.” He succumbs to temptation and kisses me, way too briefly. “There’s something I want you to see.”
