He laughed. “You might hide it well, but I can feel your giddiness.”
“Okay, fine.” She turned away from him, tossing a coy look over her shoulder. “Can you blame me? I’ve coveted that house since my first day in Buena Hills.”
He wanted nothing more than to kiss that flirtation right off her mouth. Grabbing her hand again, he twirled her back to him, pleased with the delighted surprise in her eyes. He lowered his face toward hers. “Or we can disappear together, and I’ll give you the grand tour.”
“Even better,” she managed before his mouth covered hers.
Hallie worked hard to reel in her glee as she followed Christian through the door of his childhood home.You’re here to support him, not sneak away to explore your dream home.
“If I’d known you’d be this giddy, I would’ve brought you here weeks ago.” He dropped back to walk beside her through the entryway. Isla and Penelope had run ahead, searching for their grandma and aunt.
Hallie bit her bottom lip to stifle her grin. “It’s still crazy to think you grew up here.”
Christian made a noise that she thought was a chuckle but sounded more like a grunt. It was the first sign of amusement she’d managed to pull from him since he’d picked her up ten minutes ago.
He reallywasn’tlooking forward to this. She could practically feel the dread radiating from his body. If not for the cake platter she carried in both hands, she would’ve given the guy a hug.
Switching the plate of pumpkin spice cream puffs to his other arm, Christian placed his free hand along the small of her back to usher her past the entryway.
A simple chandelier lit the hallway leading to the back of the house. They passed a small rectangular table along one wall, holding a porcelain vase of white roses. Hallie slowed to look at the photos lining the blue-and-white wallpaper. A large portrait of the Gustafson family, taken shortly before his father’s death judging by the kids’ ages, made up the focal point. Pictures of Christian and Danica from infancy to graduation spanned out from it on both sides. Isla and Penelope’s baby pictures also held spots of honor.
“You look like your dad,” Hallie said, switching her focus from the real Christian to the photo of his father. “It’s almost uncanny.”
His mouth turned up a bit. “I like when people tell me I take after him. It kind of feels like he’s still here.”
“I wish I could’ve met him.”
Christian swallowed slowly, studying the picture. “He was a good man.” His voice cracked on the words.
“So are you.”
They stood silently in front of the portrait for several moments. Hallie didn’t push Christian to say more, neither did she tug him away. Understanding inched into her mind. He still deeply mourned his father, and yet his mom’s new man was waiting right outside to meet him.
“It’ll be okay.” She tilted her head to rest against his bicep. “But I understand now why today is so hard.”
His arm came around her, and he took a cleansing breath. Then his hand lowered to the small of her back again, an unspoken invitation to continue through the house.
As soon as they stepped into the bright kitchen, Hallie had to take a moment to appreciate the sheer beauty of the space. Granite countertops lined both sides of the room, providing ample space to prepare food. Glass-lined cupboards above displayed several sets of elegant dishware, with more space in the cabinets underneath the counters and center island. The double oven would make baking for customers so much less time consuming.
This isn’t your kitchen.Still, her imagination was already latching onto the idea of getting her hands dirty in this room.
“It looks like everyone’s outside,” Christian said, popping the imaginary thought bubble housing her fantasy.
Sherry was rearranging the plethora of food dishes at a long table set up on the deck when they stepped outside. Her face lit up as Christian headed over.
“Oh, hey guys!” she said brightly as he kissed her cheek. She took the cream puffs from her son but smiled at Hallie. “You made it. I hope you’re hungry. We’ve got enough food to feed an army.”
Good thing too. The number of people roaming around the sprawling yard could form a decent-sized platoon. Hallie picked outDanica, Isla, and Penelope at the wooden playhouse by the fence—the only familiar faces in the group.
Hallie accepted a hug from Sherry, though she was unable to reciprocate due to the cake dish in her hands. “Where do you want this?”
“Let’s put both desserts over here.” Sherry moved a plate of sliced tomatoes, onions, and lettuce to the side to make room. She removed the tinfoil covering the cream puffs. “Ooh, these look good.” Plucking one off the top of the pile, she popped it into her mouth.
Christian arched an eyebrow at his mother. “You never let me eat dessert first.”
“Like that stopped you.” She winked at Hallie, reaching for the cake. “Let’s put that down right here. Thank you for bringing all this. You really didn’t have to.”
Hallie shoved the tips of her fingers into the front pockets of her jeans. “I wanted to. Family gatherings are so much better with dessert.”
