Page 80 of The Clause in Christmas
Cassie’s breath hitched in her throat at the sight of Luke, barefoot in jeans and a white undershirt. With his back to her, his biceps flexed as he reached into the cupboard overhead for two coffee mugs.
Cassie stole a moment to appreciate the sight of the man she loved—the man who’d come to her rescue, even after she’d left. Overcome with emotion, her throat tightened. She thought back to the words Luke shared the night of Pajama Christmas.
Love always hopes and always perseveres.
Words that had never held more meaning.
The coffee maker beeped, signaling the end of the brew cycle.
Startled from her reverie, Cassie gasped, and Luke spun around, smiling when he saw her.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.”
“Good morning.” Cassie blushed as Luke poured her a cup, and she accepted it gratefully. “Thanks.” Inhaling the nutty aroma, she suddenly missed Frank.
Luke seemed to notice. “It’s not the same, is it?”
“No,” Cassie admitted, taking a sip. The locally roasted coffee she used to love now lacked flavor and body. She imagined every cup of coffee would dull in comparison to Frank’s from now on.
“Well, don’t worry. We’ll be home soon.”
Cassie’s skin tingled at his words. “I can’t wait.”
Their eyes locked over the rims of their mugs and the tingles turned to shivers down her spine. With a single glance, he made her forget how to breathe.
Luke cleared his throat. “But there’s something we have to do before we leave town.”
“What’s that?”
“I called Dolores this morning.” His hazel eyes sparkled as he took a sip of coffee.
“And?”
“I asked her to look up today’s activity on the Christmas Calendar.”
Cassie’s heartbeat skittered in anticipation. “What is it?”
“Perform an Act of Service. And I have the perfect idea.”
Cassie smiled, barely stopping herself from kissing him on the spot. Of course, Luke had the perfect idea.
“There’s a nonprofit down the street that serves meals to homeless veterans,” Luke told her. “If we get ready quickly, we still have time to help with breakfast.”
“Sounds perfect.” Downing the rest of her coffee, Cassie set her empty mug in the sink.
“One more thing.” Luke set his mug on the counter and reached into his back pocket. He withdrew Cassie’s necklace, holding it out to her. “I found this on the living room floor.”
Cassie stared at it a moment, then taking it from Luke’s hand, she strode to the garbage can. Without a word, she stepped on the foot pedal that popped the lid and dropped the necklace inside.
As if she’d sent some silent signal, Luke’s arms were around her waist, pulling her against him.
Their lips met with a breathless blend of urgency and tenderness.
Standing barefoot on the cracked linoleum in her cramped kitchen, with tangled hair and coffee breath, was not how she’d envisioned their next kiss.
But Cassie didn’t care.
She slipped her arms around his neck, her fingers finding their home in the hair at the nape of his neck.
