Page 28 of Savoring Christmas
“Well, I did.”
They smiled at each other across the table. This woman made him feel so many things. He wasn’t sure what it was about her that moved him so much, only that she did.
The food arrived and for a few minutes they were quiet, squeezing ketchup onto their plates and building their burgers. She took the red onions off her burger, so he did the same. He really hoped the night would end with a kiss and he didn’t want onion breath to ruin it.
The rest of dinner passed in easy conversation, the kind that felt both comfortable and charged. When the server brought the check, Logan was reluctant to let the evening end.
Outside, the air was colder, sharper, the sky heavy with the promise of snow. He walked her to the passenger side of his car, then drove her home as they chatted about Sugarville Grove holiday traditions.
“Will you go to the tree lighting this year?” Mia asked.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Would you like to go with me?”
His heart leapt with excitement. “I can’t think of anything I’d like better.”
“It’s a date, then.”
They arrived at her cabin and he got out to walk her to her door. Under the dim light hanging above, she turned to face him. “Thank you for dinner. This was a wonderful night.”
“It was, yes.”
She looked up at him. “Are you going to kiss me?”
“I haven’t been able to think of much else all night.”
That made her giggle. “It crossed my mind a time or two as well.”
The kiss started out gentle. Her hand came up to rest against his chest, and she could feel her heart beating as fast as his. He deepened the kiss, and she melted against him, her other arm sliding around his neck. When they finally broke apart, both were breathing harder.
“I should let you get inside.” Logan made no move to step away.
“You should.” Her hands remained on his chest.
He pressed one more soft kiss to her forehead. “Good night, beautiful Mia.”
“Good night.”
He waited until she was safely inside before walking back to his car. As he drove home, he couldn’t shake the image of her lonely room. Was she truly ready to start living again? Would there be room for him in her life? He really hoped so.
He was in trouble. And he didn’t care one bit.
6
MIA
On Tuesday night, Harold and Thelma showed first, both looking bright-eyed and full of life. Mia noticed they brushed hands before going to their cooking stations. Had they driven in the same car? Were they having a romance? Wouldn’t that be something? Cannoli gave a soft bark from her bed in the corner, as if to greet them. They both went over to say hello to her and give her some pets.
Abby came in next, gushing about how much she was looking forward to class and that she’d tried out her pasta and sauce on her family.
“They went bananas over it,” Abby said. “And my husband had three helpings. I’ve never been so proud in my life.”
“I’m thrilled to hear that,” Mia said.
Cannoli got up from her bed to come say hello to Abby, who made a fuss over her as any good veterinarian would.
Reese smiled at everyone as she hung her coat on the back of her chair, but she seemed a little off. Smudges of purple under her eyes hinted at a bad night’s sleep. Cannoli padded softly over and rested her chin on Reese’s shoe until Reese reached down for a quick scratch behind her ears.
