Page 21 of Better Than the Beach
“Some of these are Ma’s, and I think those boots are Mallory’s, but they should all fit.”
She thanks me, and I watch as she steps into the pants. I kneel and help her into the boots, then stand and zip up her coat. Before handing her the helmet, I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, then trail my knuckles down her jaw.
“Have I told you that you’re beautiful?” I ask, and she lets out a soft laugh.
“A few times, I think.”
“Hmm.” I lean down and take her lips with mine, kissing her slowly before pressing my forehead to hers. “Have I told you that you drive me fucking crazy?”
I feel her lips curl into a smile against mine.
“No,” she whispers. “I don’t think you have.”
I kiss her once more, then drop my hands and take a step back before speaking.
“You drive me fucking crazy,” I say clearly, and I watch her chest jump with a hitched breath.
“In a good way?” she asks quietly, and I can’t stop the smile that tips up the corners of my mouth.
“In the best way.” I reach for her hand and start walking toward the front of the house. “Now let’s go be good little elves for Saint Nanta Claus before she starts to get mean.”
Cassie’s tinkling giggle hits me right in the fucking gut. I didn’t lie. She drives me crazy in the best fucking way, but damn it, I think that might not be a good thing.
It takes us until late afternoon to decorate the community center and set up the gifts for the town gift drive.
The twelve-foot tree is filled with colorful ornaments, lights, and garland. There are stockings strung up over the pretend fireplace backdrop behind the giant red velvet wing-backed chair where Santa will sit to hand out gifts. Every wall in the building is displaying holiday art created by the kids at the local elementary school. In a few days, this building will be full of laughter and chatter of the townspeople celebrating the holiday together, and I find myself overly excited to once again be able to participate in the festivities. It’s been years, and I’ve missed this small-town holiday spirit.
Cassie gets along perfectly with my family, which is something I try not to take too much delight in. Colleen never got along with anyone, and with every raised brow I get from my brothers today, I know they are thinking the same thing.
I’ve never been the type to date around. I like commitment. I like relationships. A holiday fling with the woman stranded at my mom’s Bed and Breakfast is not something I’d usually partake in, but I’ve also never been good at hiding my feelings. I know my brothers can tell something is going on between me and Cassie. They don’t know specifics, because I don’t kiss and tell, but I’m sure my growing affection for her is obvious. My eyes never stray far from where she is. My hands seek out her warmth at every possible moment. If I thought I could kiss her freely without making her uncomfortable or having to deal with razzing from Craig and Duncan, I’d do it.
But every time I get the urge, I remind myself that she is leaving tomorrow. Her life is a thousand miles away, and it couldn’t be more different from mine. Cassie is a twenty-three-year-old coed with her whole future ahead of her. I’m a thirty-four-year-old divorcee who is anchored in the world of academia for the next few years, at least. This is only meant to be a fling. Sex. She’s leaving tomorrow, and I have to be okay with that.
“You ready to hit the trails?” I ask Cassie after the last ornament has been hung on the tree and all the presents are safely tucked underneath it. “We still have a few hours of daylight left.”
Cassie beams at me.
“I’m more than ready.”
“Take her around the north trail that goes up by the cabin,” Ma says. “There is still some brush that needs to be cleared from the trail that runs along Back Creek.”
I glance at Craig and Duncan.
“You guys haven’t been keeping up with the trails?” I tease. “This place really does go to Hell when I’m not here. Can’t trust you two to do anything.”
“Watch it, little brother,” Duncan taunts and then throws an empty gift box at me.
I bat it away just as Craig tries to put me in a headlock. I manage to dodge him, but I’m not so lucky with the tube of wrapping paper Dunc swings at my head. It cracks me across the cheek, and I pause long enough that Craig goes for my knees and takes me to the ground, then Duncan pounces. In a matter of seconds, my face is pressed into the floor and I’m panting under the weight of my older brothers as they pile on top of me. One of them has my arms pinned behind my back, and the other is sitting on my legs.
“Can’t trust you guys to do anything,” Craig mocks me, his voice high-pitched and squeaky. “This place goes to Hell when I’m off being super important and boring at the university.”
“Calling it like I see it,” I force out, fighting against his hold in an attempt to flip our positions. I can hear Duncan laughing, and I twist my foot free just enough to kick at something soft. He groans, and I let out a strangled whoop in triumph.
“Surrender,” Duncan commands.
“No.”
“Surrender, dweeb!” Craig says, and I’d laugh at the old insult if I could get enough air in my lungs. Instead, all I can do is choke out a raspednever.
