Page 38 of Catch Yourself a Snowmance
“I take that as a no,” he says.
“I want to stay up. But tired hit me like a stick. I could though.”
“No. You need sleep. We had a big day on the slopes. We were up late last night …” he nudges me playfully.
I think back to the massage on the couch and how much seems to have changed between us since then, as if we hit a fast-forward button after lunch today. I’m not complaining. At all. I’m just tired and a little off-kilter.
Carson turns off the water, pivots toward me and looks me in the eyes. “There’s steam coming out of your ears. Are we good? No regrets?”
“No regrets.”
“I like you, Alyssa. I’d like to see you after we leave here. I didn’t just kiss you out of the blue because I felt like it.”
“I like you too,” I say. “And I’d like to see you when we’re back home again too.”
Carson pulls me into a hug and rubs his hand down my back in a gesture of comfort. He murmurs into my hair. “Good.” And then, “I was hoping we were on the same page.”
He lets out a sigh. “Did I mention that I really like you?”
“You did, but you can tell me again.”
He pulls back, gently holding my chin between his thumb and pointer finger, and says, “I really like you.”
That giddy smile comes back, and then I yawn. I tip my head down to hide my eyes from his.
“I’m keeping you up,” Carson says. “Go. Get ready for bed. I’ll finish up in here.”
I want to fight him, but I’m so tired, I relent.
I stand on tiptoes and place a soft kiss on Carson’s cheek. He turns and places a kiss on my lips, quick and sweet. And then another on my forehead.
“Goodnight, Alyssa.” He releases me.
“Goodnight, Carson.”
The sounds of him putting a few more items away, opening and shutting cabinets, and running the water again filter down the hall as I head to my room to change into my pajamas.
When I come out to grab a glass of water after brushing my teeth, Carson is in a conversation with someone in the kitchen.
“I don’t know, man,” Carson says.
“You seem to really hit it off,” Liam answers him.
I stay in the hallway. Only a little wave of guilt washes over me for eavesdropping. After all, they’re talking about me, right?
“I wasn’t planning on a relationship. I’ve been dedicated to my bachelor status.”
“Vacations change things.” Liam says. “Women change things.”
“I definitely had a fun week with her.”
Had? Past tense? He said he wants to see me after this week. Has that changed? Is he questioning our kiss? He wasn’t planning on a relationship. I wasn’t either. And who says we’re in a relationship? We kissed. We want to see one another when we’re back. But we haven’t really talked about anything else. It’s all so new.
Am I reading into things? Is Carson interested in a relationship now? Or is this just a fun vacation thing for him? No. He said he wants to see me when we’re back. But see can mean a lot of different things.
“Alyssa?” Noelle walks up behind me and I jump.
“Oh! Noelle.” I step away from the wall. “I’m just … uh … getting a glass for water. A glass of water.”
