Page 28 of Holiday on the Rocks
Oh, mother of pearl, WTH was I doing?
I pulled away with my mind feeling like a pile of useless mush. “This can’t, we can’t.”
He whispered, “I know you feel whatever is going on between us. It’s fire.”
“We’re the past. The past has to stay there.” It was a strong sentence but came out a weak airy whisper.
He leaned down and kissed my cheek and my eyes closed as his mouth slipped down to my jaw while my tummy twisted.
My voice cracked. “We’re just friends for a few days, then nothing. It’s the way it is.”
A tingle slithered up my spine when his whiskers slid down my neck. It felt so good I was melting. Even with the slightest of friction between us every nerve ending in my body stood at attention. I was certain I’d end up a puddle on the ground at any second. His presence was a magnet that drew me in. My body betrayed me with even one glance.
He muttered against my neck. “Friends?”
I stepped back and straightened my coat. “That’s what we are. Sort of. Maybe not.” Could I sound more like an idiot?
The corner of his mouth turned up as if the ring master was patronizing me. “I got it.”
I needed to be strong. I knew what it was like after he was gone. I’d lived it and there unbearable pain, and while I stitched up my heart, it took far too long to get over him.
“Well, that’s good. I’m glad we’re on the same page.” I cleared my throat. “Let me cut these branches so I can go to the church.” I side eyed him. “And you can totally stay here. I can do it myself.”
“I’ll help now and at the church.” His arm nudged mine as he passed. “You better stick close to me. You never know when the turkeys will return for shorty and superhero Levi will have to come to the rescue.”
While I gave an annoyed huff as he walked away, I made sure he was in sight as I shoved the image of a bare-chested Levi in a superhero cape out my ear.
TWELVE
LEVI
UH-OH
The ride to the church was quiet, and I knew by how she chewed on her lip what was on her mind. Her lips and taste, even for a second, were now branded into me and the only thing my mind was willing to entertain.
We entered the front office of the church where a woman in her sixties wearing a turtleneck with her dark hair piled on top of her head in a bun sat behind a desk.
“Good morning.”
Allie smiled. And what a smile. “I’m Allie Langley, and my friend is getting married here on Saturday.”
The woman nodded. “Yes, Emily.”
“She had some items sent to decorate the sanctuary.”
The woman stood up and laughed. “She surely did. Enough to nearly fill up our storage room. Come with me.”
We followed her down a hallway and my eyes were glued to Allie’s tush. Down boy!
The lady stopped. “It’s all in here.” She unlocked it and handed Allie the key. “I’m leaving to attend a meeting shortly, so here’s the closet key if you need to lock up before I return.”
“Thank you so much.”
The woman gave a wave and disappeared.
Allie set her purse in the hall, and we entered to find two large boxes containing Christmas trees and another holding ornaments and lights.
She kicked a box. “This sucks. The chains on my mood swing just snapped. Would a handful of Xanax count as Emily’s something blue? She’s crazy.”
