Page 46 of The Christmas Lodge
“Busted!” she said with a laugh.
He sighed dramatically. “Well, at least you bought me dinner first.”
She wiggled her eyebrows. “What is it you always say? ‘I was raised right’?”
“Exactly.” He nodded, grinning. “I know how to treat my dates.”
Their banter continued over the next few minutes, making Lacy’s heart swell with contented enjoyment. She loved the way they could talk about serious things or about absolutely nothing and that both were easy with him. This was so unlike many of the dates she’d gone on back home—stilted conversation, awkwardly picking at their food, trying to figure out if there should be a kiss at the end or not. No, with Derek, it was just… natural.
The waiter arrived with their food, setting the gorgeous plates in front of them and slipped away once again, but not before refilling their wine glasses. Lacy wiggled in her seat, leaning forward to breathe in the heady aromas of the dishes. Derek lifted the plate of bruschetta toward her, offering her a piece. She bit into the crusty bread, savoring the fresh flavors as they danced across her palate and covering her mouth with one hand.
“Heaven,” she murmured around the bite.
“Amen,” Derek agreed, looking into her eyes, even though Lacy noticed he hadn’t taken a bite yet, too busy looking at her.
Lacy took another bite, contentment spreading through her. Though it made no sense, her meeting Derek on this trip to Snowy Pine Ridge that she had thought was an interruption to her real life in St. Louis, she felt at that moment that she was exactly where she needed to be. The feeling surprised her and she sat back, savoring the moment and looking into Derek’s eyes.
She didn’t know where this thing between them was heading, but she did know one thing. She was glad she was taking that leap of faith with Derek by her side.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
As they left Bella Notte, Derek already knew he didn’t want the night to end just yet. It didn’t take long for him to think up a solution and he pitched his idea as Lacy was buckling her seat belt in the truck.
“What do you say we drive over to Main Street and walk along the main drag? The Christmas lights look amazing at night, and they play Christmas music over the outdoor speakers.”
“I think that sounds perfect.” Lacy patted her stomach. “You might have to roll me down Main Street after all that food, but I’m game.”
“Good.” Derek put the truck in gear and headed out of the parking lot. “You’re in town at just the right time of year. This is when Snowy Pine Ridge really shines.”
“If you’re giving me a sales pitch, I’ll stop you there—I actually already love it here.”
“Really?”
“Don’t look so surprised. It’s like a scene out ofWhite Christmas. What’s not to love?”
Derek tried not to get his hopes up at her casual words.It doesn’t mean she wants to stay,he reminded himself.
As they drove, Derek thought he caught Lacy humming along quietly with “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” on the radio, and it made him smile. She’d opened up and relaxed so much since he’d first met her, and he loved seeing all of the new sides of her that loved fun and spontaneity. He glanced over at her as he parked the truck on Main Street, marveling again at how beautiful she looked and that she’d said yes to this date. Lacy looked over, caught him staring, and raised an eyebrow.
“Do I have food on my face or something?” she teased. “Because, if so, a gentleman would’ve told me back at the restaurant.”
“You have an entire ravioli stuck to the side of your lip, yes,” he joked back.
Lacy rolled her eyes even as she laughed. “We didn’t even order ravioli.”
“Incredible how you still managed to get one all over your face then.”
Lacy stuck out her tongue. “Keep this up and you won’t get a goodnight kiss.”
Derek’s heart stopped at her playful words and it was all he could do to keep his breathing even. “In that case, I take it all back.”
“Smart man.”
“I may not be the brightest, but that one is a no-brainer,” he agreed soulfully, making her laugh again.
Derek hurried around the truck to open the door for Lacy and helped her down from the giant step. As they began walking down the street, admiring the lights and the general holiday ambiance, Derek itched to hold her hand. She’d teased him about kissing him goodnight, but he didn’t know if she was actually serious or not, and, as they continued to walk, panic about the fact that he still hadn’t told her how he felt began to set in. It was all well and good to banter like they always did, but she deserved to know that his feelings for her were real, not another shared joke between them. Lost in his own thoughts, he didn’t even realize they’d been walking for quite some time or that Lacy had been trying to talk to him until she stopped walking abruptly.
“Are you listening to me?” Lacy was grinning as she waved a hand in front of his face and he blinked. “Hello? Anybody home?”
