Page 30 of Catch Yourself a Snowmance
But the fact remains that Carson’s got the biggest red flag. His best friend is engaged to my best friend. It would be way too easy to slide right into the ease between us and see where it leads. But if we tried letting something romantic develop and it didn’t work out, it could mess up our friend groups irrevocably. Noelle is dreaming of future trips like this one—hopefully in less drafty cabins and slightly better weather, but still.
“My bachelor status isn’t written in blood or carved in stone,” Carson says with another timely nudge to my foot.
“Oh. Well, that’s good. I mean, in case you meet someone and want to pursue something.”
We stare at one another again. His pinky finger brushes against mine.
Maybe it was accidental.
Maybe not.
“Crazier things have happened,” Carson says with a soft smile.
Then he shifts his weight, stands and stretches. His shirt rides up, exposing a six-pack. That six pack will be the death of me.
Here lies Alyssa Buchanan, killed by the most beautiful set of abs she’s seen in years.
Of course, I stare for the teensiest of moments. Why did I remember Carson as having a beer-gut or food-baby? He’s in great shape. The Dorito dust really blinded me to this man.
“You ready to head to bed?” Carson asks me.
“I am.”
Carson extends me his hand and pulls me up. I land right in front of him.
“Thanks for the back rub,” he says.
And then he surprises me by pulling me into a hug. I holdon to him, allowing myself to sink into the comfort of being held by him while I attempt to subtly breathe in a deep breath of his musky, spicy scent. It’s mixed with the smoke from the fire. I’d like to bottle that smell and keep it so I could just sniff it whenever I want.
Carson releases me, and I step back, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear while he puts out the fire and I watch him. Then the two of us walk down the hallway side by side. At my door, he whispers goodnight. And then I step into my room while he heads off to his.
I hear his footfalls continue down the hallway after I’ve shut my door.
I’m standing on a precipice. One soft breeze could send me falling over the edge.
Chapter 9
Carson
The best way to spread Christmas cheer
is singing loud for all to hear.
~ Buddy, "Elf"
Someone just crawled into my bed. I think. It’s too dark to tell and I’m half-asleep.
Maybe I’m dreaming. Maybe I’m not.
Is it Alyssa?
This house is so cold, even with the heater running.
“Mmmm … Hey, you cold?” I ask her.
She answers me in a surprisingly deeper voice, “Mm hmmm.”
She’s cold. Okay.
