“I have the table set.”And then she had a thought.“Unless you’d rather have pizza in the living room.”
He paused from where he was setting up the gate to the living room and sent her a lazy smile.“I don’t remember you being this unsure when we were kids.In fact, I remember a very determined young lady.”His smile broadened.“I remember how you used to stomp your foot when you got frustrated.You were a cute kid.”
Heat rushed up her neck and settled in her cheeks.She refused to look at him.“I don’t remember any of that.”
It wasn’t exactly true, but she didn’t want to continue talking about how embarrassing she was as a kid.And she didn’t want him to stumble down memory lane so he could recall the gigantic crush she’d had to him.
“You don’t?Because I certainly do.”When he paused to stare deep into her eyes, it sent her heart racing.“That cute kid blossomed into a beautiful woman.”
The breath hitched in the back of her throat.He thought she was beautiful?She resisted the urge to run her hand over her honey-brown ponytail to make sure it wasn’t falling out.She could just imagine errant strands of hair going every which way.By evening, her hair had a mind of its own.
She turned away, not wanting him to see the effect his words had on her.She turned on the faucet and released a pent-up breath.He didn’t mean it when he said she was beautiful.He’d just said it off-handedly.That had to be the explanation.He was just being nice.
She squirted some liquid soap on her hands.Even if he did mean it, why was she letting his words get to her?She’d gotten over him a long time ago.Right now, she had to focus on taking care of Tater Tot.
A noise from the dog crate had her wondering if the pup had read her mind.She subdued a laugh at anyone reading her mind.At times, it could get scary in her brain.
Forcing her thoughts back to Tater Tot, she realized she didn’t want to mess things up with the puppy.Even though she’d just met the pup, she’d fallen under his charming spell.How could she not?He was adorable.She was certain Merry wasn’t going to have a problem finding him a home.
She dried her hands and moved to the fridge.She pulled the door open and scrounged around inside to see if she had anything to make a side salad.She had a partial head of lettuce, but she didn’t have any vegetables to go with it.
It was obvious she never entertained guests.Ugh!She was turning out to be a horrible hostess.And then she picked up the bottle of salad dressing.There might be enough for one bowl of salad but definitely not two.A trip to the market moved to the top of her to-do-list.
Chair legs scraped across the hardwood floor, jarring her out of her meandering thoughts.She closed the fridge and turned around.
“Holly?”Colin’s voice once again drew her from her thoughts.“Did you hear me?”
He’d said something?The heat rushed back to her cheeks.“Sorry.What did you say?”
“Would you like me to get the drinks?”
Her gaze moved to the table where Colin had already served the pizza on each of their plates.“I’ve got it.”She moved to the fridge and opened it.The shelves were practically bare.This was getting embarrassing.“I’m afraid I can only offer you water.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Thankfully, she was on top of the dishes.She withdrew two tall glasses from the cabinet and filled them with faucet water.With it being winter, the water was very cold, so there was no need for ice.
Feeling embarrassed that she didn’t have anything else to offer him, she placed the glasses on the table and then sat down, keeping her gaze lowered.This whole evening had been so stressful.
And then she noticed Tater Tot had finally meandered out of his crate.The pup stopped between them.She smiled down at the little guy.Tater Tot’s head turned back and forth between her and Colin.The next thing she knew, the pup put his paws on Colin’s leg.It seemed Tater Tot had made his choice.Not that she could blame him.Colin was like an animal whisperer.
While Colin fussed over the puppy, she took a bite of her pizza.It was delicious.She hadn’t splurged on takeout since her grandmother was alive.Since then, there had been a lot of ramen noodles, box mac-n-cheese, and spaghetti.
“Are you planning to put up any Christmas decorations?”Colin asked.
She looked over at him and couldn’t help but laugh.“Have you looked at this place?The last thing on my mind is Christmas decorations.”
His brows rose.“Are you trying to tell me that you aren’t going to have a Christmas tree?”
She shrugged.“I don’t know if I’ll have time to put one up.”
He nodded.“I understand.Sometimes life doesn’t slow down so we can get off the ride.”
“The ride?”
“You know, whatever situation has your full attention.”
“I suppose now that I’m off the settling-the-estate ride that I need to hop on the unpack ride.”
