Page 89 of Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas
As I hit send, the snow outside begins to fall harder, transforming Pine Creek into the winter wonderland it was always meant to be.Dorothy stretches in my lap, more relaxed than she's been all day.Blanche's tail thumps once against the floor.
In the park, Adam has stopped walking.Even from here, I can tell he's looking at his phone.
Looking at my words.
Looking at me, saying yes.
To trying.
To us.
Chapter twenty-eight
ADAM
Thirtyminuteslater,there'sa knock at the door.I pause, setting aside the curriculum material I've been staring at without really seeing.When I open it, Eve's standing there with two mugs of hot chocolate, both topped with whipped cream and marshmallows.She's wearing my hoodie again, her honey-blonde hair loose around her shoulders, a hesitancy in her eyes I've rarely seen.
"Thought you might need the sugar," she says, her voice steady but her fingers tightening on the mugs.She doesn't immediately push past me like she would have yesterday.Instead, she waits…like she's no longer certain of her welcome.And my chest tightens.
"I do.Thanks."I take the mug she offers, our fingers brushing.Even that small contact sends electricity up my arm.The air between us feels charged, loaded with everything we haven't said yet.
"Blanche and Dorothy are staying with Sally tonight," she adds, finally stepping into the room."Apparently they've been invited to a 'doggy pajama party' downstairs.Which I'm pretty sure is Sally's way of giving us privacy."
"Subtle as ever."I smile, and some of the tension eases.
She settles cross-legged on the bed—our bed—looking around like she's seeing the room for the first time.Her eyes linger on the honeymoon suite's ridiculous heart-shaped pillows, then shift to the curriculum materials spread across the desk, the textbooks stacked neatly beside my laptop."Looks serious."
"It is," I admit, joining her on the bed but leaving space between us.This conversation feels too important to rush."This program...it's not just another teaching position, Eve.It's a chance to completely rethink how we train vet techs for rural communities."
Her eyes meet mine, curious but also careful, like she's afraid to show too much interest in case it means she's already committing to something.
"Do you know that for most specialized veterinary care, farmers have to drive hours?Sometimes across state lines?And that's if they can even afford it."I can hear the passion creeping into my voice, the same intensity that convinced the board to back this program."This curriculum will train techs who can serve as front-line care in places that can't support a full-time specialist."
"You really care about this," she says softly, her gaze more open now.
"It's what I've been working toward since vet school.I just...got comfortable here.Too comfortable."I run a hand through my hair, choosing honesty over self-protection."My therapist helped me see I was using Pine Creek as a safety net.Saying I was needed, that no one else could do what I do here."
Eve raises an eyebrow, her mug pausing halfway to her lips."Therapy?"
"For a while," I admit, watching her carefully."After I sold the clinic.To make sure I was leaving for the right reasons, not running away."I gesture to the curriculum."This program.It's not just a job.It's my chance to create something lasting.
She nods, something like understanding in her eyes."I've been thinking about Chicago," she says finally, her fingers tracing the rim of her mug in that careful way she has when she's working through something difficult.
"Yeah?"
"Claire said something to me the other night, that I might be going back for the wrong reasons."She stares into her mug like it holds answers to questions she hasn't even formulated yet."To prove something to Chuck.To everyone who whispered when I left."
I sit beside her, careful to maintain that space between us.This isn't about closing physical distance yet.This is about really hearing each other."And what do you think?"
"I think she might be right."She looks up, meeting my eyes directly for the first time since entering the room."I'm not sure I want the trauma coordinator position because I want it, or because I want to show Chuck I can do it."
"For what it's worth," I say, "I think you'd be amazing at it."
Her smile is small but genuine."Maybe.But it might not be what I need.It's full-time and I still get exhausted some days.That's why I was working part-time before.It's more of a administrative position, less time with patients.And it doesn't give me the room to implement new protocols.Like the one Chuck took credit for."
"Okay," I'm listening.Really listening.And she exhales slowly before taking a sip of her hot chocolate, leaving a dot of whipped cream on her upper lip.Without thinking, I reach out, wiping it away with my thumb.Her eyes darken as I do, pupils dilating slightly.Not just with desire, but with something deeper.Recognition, maybe.Of how naturally we fit together, even now.
"Adam, I need to tell you why I freaked out about Sandwich Bay."
