Page 25 of Never Sleigh Never
“Because Simon asked, and I like him more than you.”
His chin lifts as he faces the windshield. “I think you secretly like me.”
“Hardly,” I scoff. “If I liked you, I could also grow a unicorn horn out of my forehead.”
“Really? You can do that?”
“Yeah.” I lift my hand to my forehead and stick out my middle finger.
He barks out a laugh. “You’ve always been sassy, but I swear you hoard the extra sass for me.”
“Only when it’s warranted.”
“So you didn’t answer my question. Why do you hate me?” A silent pause passes between us. Before I can respond, he asks, “Is it because of my rugged good looks, and you don’t know how to handle your intense attraction to me?”
A laugh shoots out of me. “Oh, that’s the furthest thing from the truth.” From the corner of my eye, he rolls his head toward me, his hazel eyes glossy under the streetlights. If I had to guess, he sees three of me right now.
“You know, I always thought I understood women. Females. Girls. Then I had to raise one on my own. Let me tell you, this shit is hard. I love my daughter. She’s my whole heart. But I wish I could have someone to tag team in.” He lifts his hand and gives himself a high five.
It’s hard not to smile at his playfulness. “I’m sure you’re a great dad.”
“Sometimes I wonder, am I doing enough? Am I giving Josie the best life I can? Hell, I don’t even know how many times we’ve moved to a new city.” One at a time, he counts on each finger. “Four. She’s had to move four times. Three different schools. You know how many times I had to move when I was a kid?”
I want to say none because I grew up with Logan in the same town since we were born.
“Zero. I never left Mount Holly until I turned eighteen.” He blows out a deep breath. “She’s only eleven and has already endured a lot. Sometimes I question whether I’m doing enough.”
My voice softens, offering him a hint of kindness. “You lost your dad at a young age. I’m sure you can relate a little.”
“You remember that?”
“Yeah. You were gone from class for like a week. Plus, it’s Mount Holly. Practically the entire town was at his funeral.”
He nods. “The only difference is I had my mom. For three years, Josie didn’t have me.”
Without thinking, I reach across the center console and rest my hand on his. A spark zips up my arm, and I yank my hand away. What the hell was that? A pinched nerve? I flex my fingers before clearing my throat. “You’re here now.”
He doesn’t know how to deal with an emotional eleven-year-old, and I don’t know how to deal with an emotional thirty-six-year-old Logan. He has been through a lot. We’re older. Maybe we can push our differences aside. Even though I’m still going to kick his ass in the festival department.
As I turn into his driveway, snowflakes begin to dance from the sky. I leave the car running because I plan on tossing Logan through the doorway and leaving. Maybe not tossing—shoving? Before I reach the passenger side, Logan already has the door open, one boot on the ground. I loop an arm around his waist as he drapes himself over my shoulders. I slam the door behind us and guide him toward the sidewalk that leads up to his porch.
Halfway to the short set of stairs, his foot slips on a patch of ice. With physics doing what physics does, his body slams into mine and much like the trees at Reindeer Ridge, we topple over. Logan twists, taking the hit so I land on him. Snow blooms up around us like a slow-motion snow globe. Logan’s eyes pinch shut as a deep groan rumbles from his chest.
My breath hitches as I scan his face, shoulders, and chest for any signs of injury. “Are you alright?”
“That’s going to leave a bruise.” He groans again.
Resting my hands on his chest, which is annoyingly warm even through layers, I can’t help the giggle that bursts out of me. “If it’s any consolation, thanks for taking one for the team.”
His hands bracket my waist. “Why are you being nice to me? Driving me home. Hell, talking to me. I was such a prick to you, wasn’t I? Or ignored you. I’m not really sure. Both are equally shitty.”
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Apparently, I’m feeling generous today.” Or I’ve lost my mind. “Plus, you took the brunt of a snowbank for me.”
His fingers ghost across my face, brushing away stray hairs. My breath gets caught in my throat. “Snowflake,” he whispers.
“Yeah, there’s a lot of them around us.”
His gaze steadies on me. “No. You. You’re my snowflake.”
