Page 74 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
Chapter Fifteen
The doorbell tinkled as Cal entered the shop, stopping to shake off the light layer of snow that had settled on the charcoal wool of his coat. It had been over a week since I’d seen him and it felt like a year. He gave me a slightly awkward smile. I returned it whilst making a desperate attempt to stop my stomach doing very inappropriate backflips. Didn’t it know we were justfriends?
‘Hi,’ he said, approaching the desk. My stomach did another massive flip at hearing his voice. So no, apparently, it hadn’t got the message.
‘Hello,’ I said, glancing across as the door rang again and a woman began trying to manoeuvre a trendy pram in.
‘Hang on a sec,’ I said, getting up to dash across to help her with the door.
Cal was already on it. When she was safely in, he headedback over towards me. God, he was gorgeous. Oh flippin’ heck. Now my brain was colluding with my stomach!
‘Thanks for that.’
‘No problem.’
A few moments’ silence settled across us. I risked a glance and my gaze bumped into his. A slightly crooked smile slid onto his face.
‘At least it’s not awkward or anything.’
‘No. Because that would be awful.’
His smile spread and a laugh grew from it,breaking the bubble of discomfort that threatened to surround us.
‘How is George?’
‘Good. It’s party central for him at the moment it seems. These kids have a much better social life than any of their parents!’
‘I’ve heard that.’
‘He’s looking forward to Christmas, of course.’
‘I bet.’
‘Although apparently our house isn’t Christmassy enough, I’m informed.’
I grinned. ‘Oh dear. Why’s that?’
‘Apparently it should be more like this shop.’
Laughing, I shook my head. ‘I’m pretty sure that would be a bit full on for your lovely house.’
‘Not according to my son. So, if you have a moment between everything, do you think you could pick out some stuff to make the place acceptable to a five-year-old? Whatever you think. I trust your taste.’
‘Famous last words.’
His laugh wrapped aroundme and I saw the woman with the pram smile to herself.
‘I’ve actually got a day off tomorrow so I was wondering if it would be OK to come over to the workshop and do some work on the car?’ I knew from Xander that Cal got into the workshop a little less often these days, so I was desperately hoping tomorrow would be a day he had a mile-high pile of paperwork to go through.
‘Of course. Like Isaid, any time.’
‘Thanks. I can put together a box of extra decorations for you and bring it over at the same time.’
‘That’d be great if you could.’
‘No problem.’
Cal checked the expensive watch on his wrist. ‘I’d better get off and fetch George.’
