“I will,” I replied. Nervousness washed over me, and I could feel my face getting warm.
“So, until tomorrow,” he said just before leaning down to kiss me. It was a deep kiss, the kind that tangled up your insides and made your knees weak. I steadied myself, placing my hands against his chest.
As he pulled away to leave, I opened my eyes, taking him in. His dark hair contrasted with his light eyes, and he seemed to be thinking something he didn’t want to say. “What is it?” I asked.
“I don’t want to go,” he replied, a broad smile forming.
I grinned back shamelessly. He was so handsome, and his charm was downright captivating.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said.
“Okay, okay.” He pulled away and then leaned in for one more quick kiss.
“Get out of here!” I pretended to shove him out.
“Good night, Sam,” he said as he walked away.
I shut the door gently, and then leaned up against it and put my face in my hands. I wanted to squeal. My heart was racing, and I practically danced my way back to my room.
The next morning when I walked into the kitchen, Robin was already up and sitting at the counter drinking her coffee and reading something on her phone. The girls were awake, and having pancakes at the table, giggling and laughing about something.
“Well, hey there, sister,” she said mischievously.
“Good morning,” I replied with a sly smile.
“I trust you had a good evening?” she asked.
“I did indeed.” I walked over to the coffeepot to pour myself a cup.
“So, give me the scoop. Come on!” She was done playing games with me, and it was hysterical.
“The scoop? On what?” I teased.
She slapped my arm gently. “Come on!”
“What do you want to know?” I asked. I wasn’t sure what to say really. I had an absolutely wonderful night, with a wonderful man, who lives a thousand miles away from my house. That was the truth of the matter.
“You two seemed cozy last night,” she said.
“We went for a walk, and then we talked out by the gazebo for a while. We had a really nice evening.”
“And?” she pleaded.
“And what?”
“Did you kiss him? You kissed him, didn’t you? Give me all the details!” she demanded.
“A lady never kisses and tells,” I replied coyly.
“She tells her sister dammit!”
I couldn’t help but to laugh. Robin was on the edge of her seat, she was dying for information, and I couldn’t deny her any longer.
“We kissed. Under the mistletoe in the gazebo. It was like a movie, Robin. It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment in time. But it doesn’t mean anything—I mean, come on.”
“What do you mean it doesn’t mean anything? Of course it means something. That’s Jason frigging Hayes, Samantha! He’s only the most eligible bachelor in Friendship. And you had a little Christmas kiss with him under the mistletoe. That’s something,” she insisted.
“Robin, I live a thousand miles away. It was just a kiss.” I was lying to myself. It wasn’t just a kiss. It was a brand-new Christmas memory. For the first time in a long time, the idea of a Christmas memory made me smile.
