Page 4 of Christmas Replay
Or here goes everything.
The bell over the door jingled as I entered. I paused on the threshold, taking in the woman who’d consumed my dreams for the past year.
Alissa looked up, and our eyes met. My world shifted, my heart thundering when I watched her mouthCliff.
In that moment, it was all I needed. It propelled me forward to the counter, my gaze never leaving hers.
“Are you open?” I asked, repeating my first words from last year.
Her lips quirked. “Just barely. What can I get you?”
“A black coffee would be great,” he said. “And I’m wondering what your plans might be for the holiday. You’re closed until after New Year’s, right?”
“Yeah.” She paused in her reach for a mug. Her green eyes widened as she stared at me. God, they were just as green as Iremembered. There’d come a point when I’d thought the vivid hue might be my imagination, and I’d damned myself for not taking a picture.
“Why…?” she asked slowly.
“I guess I should start by asking if you have a boyfriend or a husband or something, but I’d really like to spend the holidays with you.”
“That’s only slightly random.” Her lips rolled together, and she shook her head while she poured my coffee then slid it toward me. Quickly, she grabbed a large snowman-shaped sugar cookie from the case and placed it on a wax paper beside the cup. She winked. “Saved you one.”
So she’d been hoping I’d show up tonight? Suddenly, I felt a lot more at ease, and the tension in my chest lightened up a little.
“Thank you.”
“And it’s on the house.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. Let me grab my own drink, and we can talk about your question.”
With a nod, I headed toward the table where we’d sat last year. The nerves in my gut were a jumble. What if she said no? Well, what if she did? I would stay here and see if I could manage a little time with her. If she’d give me any. And if she didn’t share my attraction, then I’d know. And at least, I’d tried.
As Alissa slid into the seat across from me, though, a soft smile curled her lips. For some reason, I didn’t think she’d refuse my invitation. Tentative hope and interest shone in her eyes.
“Tell me what your question means,” she said. “I mean…what’s the plan?”
“To invite you to my home by the falls—with your own room, of course. And you should drive up so you have your own vehicle. That will give you a safety net, so to speak. You could leave whenever you want.”
Her tongue probed at her bottom lip as she looked at me skeptically. “Do I need a safety net?”
“No. I promise you’re safe with me.”
“Said every serial killer ever.”
“I’m pretty sure they’re way smoother than me. I know this place is closed for the coming week. I just thought…maybe, you’d like to get away. I’m alone for the holiday; last year you were alone for the holiday. This year, we could celebrate it together. We can get to know each other, and you can see my new-but-old house that I bought from my parents.”
She took a long moment and folded her hands in front of her on the table. “As it happens, I don’t actually have plans for my time off. And I don’t think you’re playing some serial killer long game—”
“I’m not,” I assured her.
Her chin dipped slowly, though clearly she was still making her decision. “Can I have your address and can I take a picture of your ID to send my friend?”
I was already reaching for my wallet. “Whatever you want.”
Three
Alissa
