Page 6 of Christmas Replay
If things didn’t work out between us, it could be awkward.
But what if thingsdowork out?
“Changes things how?” he asked. “Is that…bad?”
“No. Not necessarily.” I shook my head. “Go ahead with your lame excuse.”
His sharp laugh made me grin. No matter what happened, we were adults. We could navigate this.
“Okay. To recap: big murder trial, bar exam, prepping to move. Plus I still had all the other cases assigned to me.” He sighed. “I don’t think I’ve slept more than four hours a night in a year. The minute I found a window of time, which happened to start today, I got in my car and drove straight back to you.”
Well, thatwashopelessly romantic.
“And you’re moving back to Majestic Falls?”
Silence stretched as the car ate up the distance between us, and I didn’t push him to answer. I wanted the truth, regardless of what it was. If it was tough for him to admit, I’d wait.
“A year ago, I shared a kiss with a beautiful stranger in a coffee shop,” he finally said, his tone soft but his voice clear. “When I’ve been able to sleep, she’s been in my dreams as soon as my eyes close.”
“You kissed two baristas last year?” I asked, hoping to lighten the mood. “You must really love coffee.”
“So, you’re a smart-aleck,” he observed. “Good to know.”
“You thought the kiss was that good?” I asked, going back to the conversation. “Really?”
“Really,” he promised. “I’ve been working since I knew what the word meant. Mowing lawns when I was ten, fast food at fifteen, office cleaning while cramming for law school. I’ve never had time to stop and smell the roses. And I don’t go around kissing pretty strangers.”
“Why did you kiss me?”
He paused again, and I sucked my lower lip between my teeth nervously. I wasn’t sure of the right answer to the question, but I also didn’t think there was a wrong answer. But I also wasn’t sure I wanted to hear that he’d just thought it was a good idea at the time.
“Because you were… Everything about you made mewantto kiss you, to feel your lips,” he admitted. “And once you kissed me back, you became the only woman I ever want to kiss.”
“Kind of the same thing,” I admitted. “I’ve never even imagined kissing a stranger. For similar busy reasons. But add buckets of shy and piles of introvert to the mix. I haven’t stopped thinking about you, either. Which is why I agreed to follow you into the unknown.” My lips quirked. “You promise you’re not a serial killer?”
“Scout’s honor,” he said, the grin back in his voice.
“You know Ted Bundy and BTK were Boy Scouts, right?”
“Uh, no. Do I need to worry about this serial killer obsession?”
“Clearly not. I’m in my car, on my way to your house. Just for my peace of mind, though, you’d better pinky swear it when we get to your place,” I teased.
We disconnected, and I gripped the steering wheel, rolling my shoulders and exhaling hard. This was still crazy. But somehow, I felt better about the situation.
Sure, he could be lying. But…he could be telling the truth. And rather than driving toward my doom, I honestly felt as if I were headed into my future with Cliff.
Four
Cliff
I paced, unable to contain my energy without the movement. I was glad I’d arrived before Alissa, since I wasn’t sure of the house’s condition. I hadn’t been here since my mom and dad had moved, but the service I contracted had it in perfect condition. The fridge and pantry were stocked, as well, since I’d paid them to do that this week, too. All that was left was for the woman of my dreams to get here.
She’d insisted that I head up here ahead of her so she could wash off the coffee scent that permeated her clothes from working around it all day. She’d had to pack her bag, too. I seriously hadn’t considered that. I’d thought I’d ask her to come along, and we’d basically drive off into the sunset. Just showed where my brain had been. On her and nothing else. Which was strange since I was usually so methodical.
When I saw the beams of her headlights slashing across the driveway, I forced myself to take a few breaths and get myself centered, just as I would before facing a jury. Before heading to the door, I glanced around the space where we’d live for the next few days. Homey and relaxing. White twinkle lights glowed from the tree I’d had the service put up. It wasn’t my family’s decor, but that would change next year, and it was perfect for now, giving the ambiance I desired. Various other touches here and there enhanced the holiday spirit.
Everything was perfect, just missing Alissa.
