Page 16 of A Not So Merry Kiss-mas
When I pull open the door, I find Michael standing with his hands stuffed in his pockets, a navy winter beanie that brings out the blue in his eyes, and a lopsided smile. “Hi.”
My lips curve up, and I swallow past a dry throat. “Hi,” I squeak back, heat rushing to my cheeks, and I try again. “I mean hi.”
He chuckles, sending tiny shivers down to my toes, and his grin gets impossibly bigger. In response, I feel mine stretching from ear to ear.
“Are you two going to just stand there all night, or are you going to pick up my Christmas tree?” Mrs. Fletcher yells from across the hall, a smirk resting on her face.
“Do you still—” Michael asks, throwing a thumb over his shoulder just as I say, “Let me grab my coat!”
“Thank goodness,” I hear Mrs. Fletcher yell. “I thought you might stare at each other all night.”
Crossing the threshold and stuffing my hat on my head, I see Michael’s eyes sparkling. “You’re laying it on really thick, Mrs. F,” he gently scolds.
“Ahhh, let an old lady have a little fun with her infatuated neighbors.” Michael pinches the bridge of his nose, and I notice a faint flush creep up his cheeks. “I’ve been working both ends of the candle for a long time. I wasn’t sure the two of you were ever going to happen.”
A wave of heat rushes, setting my face alight, and Michael lets out a low groan.
“Any specific type of tree you want?” He asks Mrs. Fletcher, laughter tinging his voice.
“Just the most perfect one.” She winks before heading in and closing her door, leaving me and Michael alone.
We stand there, beaming at each other. “You know you need to leave the building, right?” Mrs. Fletcher yells from behind her closed door.
Michael arches a brow and glances over his shoulder, before turning his gleaming blue eyes on me, making my breath hitch. “Ready?”
“So ready!” I say, slightly breathless.
“Good, let’s go.” He then leans close and whispers. “Before we get yelled at again.” His warm breath brushes against my ear, leaving me covered in goosebumps. All I can do is nod my consent.
Chapter Nine
Mike
“Let me,” I walk ahead of Melanie and push open the door for her. A hint of cinnamon and clove envelopes my senses as she brushes past me and walks through the threshold.
“Thank you.” She turns, her green eyes sparkling, and beams at me. My blood hums. I’m left momentarily speechless.
She really is stunning.
When I thought about having her smile at me like that back when we were in the coffee shop, I honestly had no idea how it would affect me. Nor did I have any idea how much I would like it.
A smoky scent fills the chilly air as we amble down the street to the Christmas tree stand. The lamp posts are wrapped in twinkle lights, casting a soft glow on the street, and business windows are painted in this year’s winter theme. A light flurry is falling, making tonight feel even more like a Hallmark movie than normal in Cedar Vale.
Melanie and I have been getting to know each other all week, but now that we’re together, I don’t have a single thought in my head.
I’m brought back to feeling like a teenager on my very first date. “What type of tree do you normally get?” I push out, then clear my throat.
“What type of tree?” She asks, and I nod. “A fir?” She shrugs, and a slight grin tugs at the corner of my mouth. “I haven’t had a tree in a couple of years, to be honest. And the last time…”
Her shoulders droop, and I watch as she sucks in a deep breath before blowing it out. Her breath curls into a foggy mist. “Lucien, my ex, had a very specific type of tree he always wanted. It was just easier to let him get it and decorate it.”
“Lucien, huh?” I question, trying to sound neutral. Not only is his name ridiculous, but he sounds like a tool. To her I say, “Sounds like a formal name for a formal person.”
“My family used a few more choice words to describe him, but yes.” She chuckles. “He was…um…formal.”
“Well, I am excited to be able to introduce you to all the types of trees we’re going to find.” I gently bump her with my body,looking for any excuse to touch her. To my surprise, she loops her hand through my elbow.
“You’re going to help me pick out the ‘most perfect one’, too?” She leans into my side, making my pulse race. I glance down to find her staring up at me. Her green eyes are twinkling, pulling me into their emerald depths, and her cheeks are flushed with color from the cold. My feet trip over each other, and Mel’s eyes widen. “Are you okay?”
