Page 40 of Mistletoe Meet Cute
Holly’s standing by the counter, her long hair I want to run my hand through, piled high on top of her head. Today’s sweater is a pretty purple thing that saysdefine nice, and she’s swaying with Sophie in her arms as she feeds her a bottle. They sway gently like she doesn’t even realize she’s doing it and Ican just barely make out the quiet way she’s humming “White Christmas.”
“Hey.” She looks up and that easy smile of hers finds me right away before it drops and she remembers she’s avoiding me. “You’re home early.”
“Coach cut us loose early and guilt-tripped us all into attending the Kings Foundation tree lighting ceremony at the center of town tonight.”
Holly’s blue eyes light up instantly, all sparkle and warmth. “Oh, I love that event. The fireworks. The music. The kids’ choir?—”
Yeah. . . About that.” I cross my arms and lean back against the door frame like it’s the only damn thing holding me upright. “I’m gonna need you and Sophie to come with me.”
“What?” Her voice gets high pitched.
“Coach wants us all there. Family too. It looks good for the team.” I shrug, trying for nonchalant, but failing. “Besides, it would be Sophie’s first tree-lighting ceremony. Seems like a waste to miss it.”
Holly laughs softly, brushing her thumb over my baby girl’s cheek. “You know you could just say you want us to come, Camden.”
“I could,” I tilt my head as I look at her. “But I wouldn’t want to ruin my reputation.”
“Your reputation? As what? The grumpy, grinch, quarterback?”
“Pretty much,” I smile happy she’s at least talking to me for a change.
She shakes her head. “Do I even have time to change?”
I let my heavy gaze drag over her and linger on her face.
She’s so beautiful it fucking hurts. “You look pretty, vixen.”
“Camden,” she warns as her cheeks pink.
I push off the wall and step closer, lowering my voice. “Just saying, you could show up in your pajamas and every guy with fucking eyes would notice you, Holly.”
Her breath catches and I swear I see the moment she feels it too. . . that invisible, reckless pull that’s been building between is since the first damn time she walked into my house. Hell before then. It’s been building since the pharmacy. Earlier even. . . the bakery.
Sophie knocks the bottle out of Holly’s hand, breaking the spell.
“Your daughter has some perfect timing,” Holly laughs.
“She gets it from her nanny,” I mutter, grabbing Sophie’s hat from the counter and handing it to Holly. “Come on Vixen. Let’s go light a damn tree.”
She rolls her eyes but smiles that shy, happy smile that hits me dead center. “Fine. But only if we stop for hot chocolate at Sweet Temptations first.
“Deal.”
And as she disappears down the hall to get ready, I can’t help watching her go.
The sway of her hips mesmerizing me.
I know I shouldn’t cross the damn line that’s staring at me like a glowing neon sign.
And yet, tonight, I can’t shake the feeling that I already have.
Downtown Kroydon Hills looks like a Hallmark card threw up all over it.
Lights criss-cross along the streets, green wreathes with red bow hang from each old fashioned lamppost, freshsnow from last night sparkles under the glow of the streetlights, and packages surround the Welcome To Kroydon Hills sign at the center of town square as a reminder that I can’t avoid Christmas any longer.
It all makes my skin itch.
There’s too many people. Too much noise. And way too much Christmas.
