Page 30 of Promise Me This Christmas
“I know, I can smell it from here.”
“You’re getting to be a pro with that walker.”
“All the same, I’m going to be so happy when I don’t need it anymore.”Gran went through her morning routine efficiently, making Larkin optimistic that she’d soon be capable of living on her own again.
As her grandmother added a scarf to her outfit, she said, “Now tell me—how was the chocolate-making workshop last night?”
“Really fun.You’ll have to sample the chocolates we brought home.They turned out well.”
“Never mind the chocolates.Did you and Carson have a nice time together?”
“We did,” she said cautiously, not sure how much she should encourage her grandmother’s matchmaking efforts.
“I always liked that boy and so did your parents.”
“That’s true.But we haven’t seen each other for about nine years.A lot has changed.”
“He looks at you the same way now as he did when he was eighteen.Now how about we head over to the dining room and find out what’s smelling so good?”
*
The source ofthe enticing aromas turned out to be a breakfast casserole—a bubbling concoction of brioche bread, tart raspberries, and melted cream cheese, sprinkled with cinnamon and slivered almonds.It was a big hit with all the guests, even Gibson, who ate every morsel on his plate.
Larkin, however, barely tasted it.She was too focused on Carson, who had taken the chair to her right.She was very aware of his long, muscular thigh, just six inches from hers.She noticed every time he raised his coffee mug or picked up his fork.This hyperawareness was something she remembered coming over her during adolescence.Suddenly the boy, who had just been her pal, had started to fascinate her in every way.
“You sleep okay?”he asked in his deep, rumbling voice.One of his large work-roughened hands was wrapped around his coffee mug, and she thought about how gently he had stroked her hair last night in that moment when she’d thought he might kiss her.
“Better than I thought I would.”
“I’m working on the bathroom all morning and then I’m spending time with Robin in the afternoon so his parents can concentrate on the Christmas tea.Once everything has settled down, would you like to go to Rocco’s for dinner?”He leaned forward with this last sentence, so the invitation included Ethel.
“You two go,” Ethel said.“I’m sure I’ll be too full—and too tired—after the tea to do much more than have some cocoa and go to bed.”
“I don’t need to go out for dinner either,” Larkin said.
“Fiddlesticks,” Ethel said tartly.“Of course you should go.I love spending time with you, Larkin, but we don’t need to be joined at the hip.”She glanced down at her own.“Especially since mine isn’t what it should be right now.”
“It’ll soon be as good as new,” Larkin said, hoping this was true.Inside, she was doing emotional cartwheels at the thought of an evening out with Carson.Just the two of them at a romantic candlelit table.Maybe tonight, they would finally kiss, and she would find out if their physical attraction was as strong as ever.
As if there was any doubt.The man sitting beside her exuded masculinity and he’d already proven he could still be gentle.It was an intoxicating combination.
“…isn’t that right, Larkin?”
Larkin blinked, realizing Marjorie had just spoken to her.“Pardon me?”
“I was just telling Amy how wonderful the chocolate workshop was last night.”
“It was a great experience overall,” Larkin agreed.“Carson and Peter really lapped up the finer points of tempering chocolate.”
Several chuckles followed this, and Amy, making a correct deduction that the opposite was true, said, “But I’m sure the gentlemen enjoyed the wine and chocolate pairings at the end of the session?”
“That was the highlight for me,” Peter agreed.
“Solidarity, man.”Carson offered him a fist bump from across the table.
“And how was breakfast this morning?”Amy asked.
“So delicious,” Marjorie said.“I can’t believe we were served such a gourmet meal, when you have so much work ahead of you with the Christmas tea.”
