“Sure. That sounds great, actually. I’m freezing.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back,” he said and then gave me an unexpected peck that warmed my cool cheek before walking away. I looked after him in shock. That was definitely not a friend or fuck buddy kind of thing to do. I brushed away my thoughts to concentrate on finding something for my mom or a gift for Brandon’s dad.
I came across a leather-bound sketchbook I thought would be a perfect gift for Brandon, but stopped myself. We werenotgiving each other gifts.
Just then, Brandon returned with our hot chocolates. “Find something?” he asked.
“Maybe. You think your dad would like this?”
“That’s really sweet, but you don’t have to get him anything,” Brandon answered.
“I can’t show up empty-handed. That’s rude.” I protested.
“Well, if you insist on bringing something, I think that’s a great gift. He’d love it, actually, and he’d definitely use it.”
“Okay, I’ll take it,” I said, turning my attention toward the vendor.
Brandon and I continued through the market, warmer with our hot chocolates in hand. Fat snowflakes fell slowly all around us, and live music played throughout the square—it almost felt as if we were a normal couple out on a date. I shook the idea from my mind as we passed where themusicians were performing. My attention was focused on the performance until Brandon swept me up in his arms and started dancing with me. Or I should say, attempted to dance with me. I was frozen in place.
He leaned down, his mouth grazing my ear. “Relax, Sweetheart. Just go with it.”
Fuck it, I thought.What’s the harm in having a little fun today? I can go back to being my hard-ass self tomorrow.
My body moved in time with his, keeping pace with the music. Other couples joined us on the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the city street. Snow continued to fall, and I allowed myself to relax into Brandon’s arms, but I was looking anywhere but at him. Looking into his eyes would be too much. I could feel my chest tightening.
“Hey, you okay?” Brandon asked, sounding worried. I plastered on a smile and looked up at him.
What.
A.
Fucking.
Mistake.
The concerned look on his face gave way to a huge grin as soon as my eyes met his. My smile, which started as a lie, grew, and I knew in that moment that I was in trouble.Fuck.
24
BRANDON
Looking down at Lexi and seeing her like this cracked my heart wide open.Maybe she was softening toward me. Maybe this could work.I leaned in to kiss her as she seemed to come to her senses, her eyes wide. She pushed her hands against my chest.
“Brandon, don’t.”
Fuck me.Right when I thought she was letting her guard down, she went back on high alert. I shouldn’t have pushed my luck. Going in for a kiss at that moment was too much, and she was shutting me out.Again.
I stepped back and pulled at the back of my neck. “Lex, I’m sorry, it’s just?—”
Her hand shot up. “It’s fine, really. Let’s just go, okay?” She turned and walked off.
I hung my head for a breath, defeated, but quickly shook it off and followed her back toward the shop and my car.
We arrivedat my dad’s place about thirty minutes later. The drive wasn’t awkward or quiet. In fact, Lexi didn’t seem affected by what had transpired at all. I appeared to be the only one freaking the fuck out. Thankfully, I kept my spiraling thoughts to myself as I attempted to show no outward signs of my internal turmoil.
My dad’s place was all decked out. It was always Mom’s favorite holiday, and she made Dad get up on a ladder each year to put up lights—a tradition he’d continued since her passing.
“Wow. This looks great,” Lexi commented as we walked up the few stairs to the front door.
