Page 6 of Coffee and Christmas Kisses
“Yeah, I guess I do. It’s stressful though. I work too damn much. That’s why I’m in town, actually. I’m supposed to be relaxing. Recovering from a health scare.”
His eyes widened. “Jesus, are you okay?”
I waved away his concern and gave him a wry smile. “I’m great now.” The flush on his cheeks was adorable.
“Well, aren’t you charming?” He raised his eyebrows briefly.
I shrugged. “Whatever it takes to get a date with the hot barista.”
“Technically, I’m just a shopkeeper. Maybe a baker if you’re getting fancy.”
“I notice you’re not debating thehotpart.”
His blush deepened. “You asking me out?”
“Only if you’re saying yes. If not, you can forget I said anything.”
“It sounds like fun. I’d love to.” A moment passed. “When were you thinking?”
“Can you manage to get away tonight? I go back to the city a few days after Christmas.”
His smile faltered. “Shit. Tonight? I almost forgot.” I raised my eyebrows and he grimaced. “Family obligations. I have to go to my family’s annual trip to sing carols at the Silver Creek nursing home tonight. We go every year.”
I couldn’t stop the smile on my face. “Really?” It was so selfless that it was endearing. “That’s adorable.”
He nodded. “My grandma lived there for years. This is our way of honoring her.” He glanced at the clock above the register, a big, analog one that reminded me of an elementary school cafeteria. “Oh crap. Speaking of which, I’d better get moving. I was supposed to close early so I’m not late for the singing.” He tugged his apron off and hurried to the door to flip the sign. “I’ll have to take a rain check.” He hesitated. “Unless…”
My eyebrows shot up. “Unless?”
“I don’t suppose you’d be interested in joining us, would you?”
Chapter Four
West
He chuckled in surprise.“Me? Go caroling?”
“Why not?” I gave him a little grin. “Could be fun.”
“I don’t know,” he hedged.
While he considered it, I made the rounds, doing a quick cleanup in the shop. I grabbed a broom and swept, glancing over periodically.
“Wouldn’t that be intruding?”
“Intruding how?” Honestly, he’d be helping me more than I could say… If I could convince him of one last thing, that was.
He shrugged and gestured to the room vaguely. “Family time? Holiday traditions?”
I shook my head. “Not at all. I mean, it’s not a sexy first date or anything, so I understand if you don’t want to. It’s a lot of pressure. I get it. It’s just… Okay, so I have three brothers, okay? And it’s… there’s a little sibling rivalry, that’s all. I’m the oldest and every year, all of my brothers bring their partners. And every year…”
Cole nodded in understanding. “You’re the perpetually single one?”
“Bingo. It would be nice to have a date, for once.”
He grinned slowly, a mischievous smile that did things to me I wasn’t ready to think about. “I’m in.”
“You are?”
