Page 36 of The Clause in Christmas
She lingered a moment before climbing in front, sitting as far forward as possible.
“Uh, Cass. You’re going to have to scoot all the way back to balance our weight.”
Without a word, she slowly slid toward him until she was nestled in his arms.
Luke cleared his throat. “Great. Now grip the handles in front.” Her scent fully enveloped him now to the point of distraction.Get it together, Luke.“Are you ready?”
Cassie nodded.
“Ready?” Eliza shouted, raising her hand in a thumbs-up motion.
“Ready!” Luke called back. “Count us down, Ben.”
Ben’s spirited voice carried effortlessly above the stillness of the late afternoon. When he squealed, “Go,” Luke pushed off with both hands, sending them over the edge with awhoosh!
A scream escaped Cassie’s lips as they plummeted toward the bottom, and Luke pressed himself tighter against her without releasing his grip on the handles. Before he had a chance to ask if she was all right, her scream transformed into ripples of laughter.
Cassie leaned her head back, resting it against Luke’s chest, and the sweet sound of her gleeful giggles made his heart soar. He didn’t know how it was possible, but in the brief time he’d known this woman, she’d completely captivated him, heart and soul.
They continued to pick up speed as they rocketed down the slope, and to Luke’s surprise, Cassie let go of the handles, throwing her hands high above her head.
“Whoa! Hold on, Cassie!” Luke shouted, immediately noticing the shift in balance.
But it was too late.
Luke lost control, and the toboggan tipped, sending them tumbling down the hill in a snowball of flailing arms and legs.
Oomf!Luke landed on his back in a snowdrift, with Cassie sprawled on top of him. Winded, it took him a moment to register the situation. “Are you okay?” he gasped.
Cassie giggled softly against his chest. “I’m fine.” Propping herself up using his torso for support, she grinned down at him. “Do you think we won?”
Luke lost his breath again, but this time, it wasn’t from the impact. Her eyes danced with joy, and her lips curled at the edges, ever so slightly, as if a kiss were hiding, waiting to be uncovered.
Their eyes met, and Luke heard her sharp intake of breath. Their lips wereso close. And the kiss was right there, teasing him.
“Are you guys okay?” Ben’s face peered over them, etched with concern.
“I think they’re fine.” Eliza smirked, not bothering to hide her delight.
Cassie quickly rolled off Luke, springing to her feet.
Luke followed less eagerly.
“That was an epic crash!” Ben gushed.
“It was,” Luke agreed. But for entirely different reasons.
Every ounce of logic told him falling for Cassie was a bad idea. He didn’t have time. He had other responsibilities. She’d be leaving town in a few weeks. But Luke didn’t care anymore. Fighting his feelings for Cassie was a fruitless effort.
Effort he’d rather spend on convincing her to stay.
Chapter 13
Standing on the frenzied streets of San Francisco the following afternoon felt surreal to Cassie. As if, in only a week, Poppy Creek had rewired her brain. The sidewalks seemed more cramped; the energy more chaotic. Even her mother’s favorite restaurant, Salvatore’s Italian Bistro, had lost some of its luster. The sun had taken its toll on the red-and-white striped awning. And the ordinarily slick black paint of the front door looked dull and dreary.
Cassie gripped the wrought iron handle and heaved it open, slipping in among the jam-packed lunch crowd. After giving her name to the hostess, she squeezed into the only sliver of space not occupied by a hipster, tourist, or haggard assistant picking up eggplant parmesan for their boss.
Other than the lack of personal space, Cassie didn’t mind the thirty minute wait to be seated. Her mother would never arrive on time for their noon lunch date, anyway. Derek used to joke, If you want Donna Hayward to show up on time, tell her to show up an hour early.
