“Uh-oh.”
She slaps my chest playfully. “I may have extended the truth about moving here.”
My mood plummets, even though I knew there was probably that chance she was just here for the holidays. “Oh.”
“Yes. I really needed a job and to get away from New York for a while. I had every intention of going back.”
Had.There’s hope for me yet.
“If I’m bein’ honest, I already knew this wouldn’t be a long-term gig for you. I might be a lumberjack, but I do have half a brain in my skull,” I say.
“Only half?” she teases playfully.
I bump her with my hips. “Hilarious.”
“But I don’t know. I could maybe see myself here. What would I go back to New York for? Aside from my friends, I’d miss them, of course, but what I thought was glittering and dazzling doesn’t seem that exciting anymore.”
Hope blooms in my chest. “I told you. Give it a minute, small towns grow on you.”
“So do grumpy lumberjacks.”
“I’m notthatgrumpy. Just set in my ways.”
“Okay, the entire town of Alpine Falls is wrong.”
I frown. “Theentiretown?”
“Well, the majority, though I’ve heard that you do have a heart buried under all that brawn.”
“An ice pick for Christmas then? You could slowly chisel away at it.”
“You’re not half as bad as they say. Of course, we’re forgetting what’s really important. I’d have to shop online if I stayed here,” she sighs. “The fashion in town doesn’t scream haute couture, but that could be a good thing because I’ve barely spent any money, except for food?—”
“Lettuce leaves are pretty cheap.”
“Wow, Zane Clarence Lawless, was that a joke?”
“How do you know my middle name?”
She giggles. “Your mom.”
I shake my head. “Great. It’s my great grandfather’s name before you go pokin’ fun.”
She cuddles up to me once more. “I’d never do such a thing… Clarry.”
I chuckle, kissing her forehead. “Don’t think this means I’m gonna be Mr. Nice Guy at work now.”
“Oh, I didn’t think that was even possible.”
“You ever thought about stand up comedy?”
“Actually, I’ve considered it,” she laughs. “But alas, Mindy wouldn’t like it if I were out too much at night, so I would probably prefer to stay at the Lawless Christmas Tree Farm. If you’ll have me. I know we’ve had sex once, and that doesn’t mean anything?—”
“Actually, it means a lot. I can’t say I’ve been a saint, but I haven’t given much away, definitely not my heart since… well,her.So it does mean something. And if I’m being honest, it’s more than just sex.” I clear my throat, uneasy with being so candid. “Mindy missed you when you were gone.”
I feel her laughter as she shakes. “JustMindy?”
“Fine, you got me.Imissed you, too.”
