I chuckled softly and kissed the top of her head. “We can talk about that some other time, okay? Go to sleep.”
She yawned and closed her eyes with a nod. “Goodnight,” she murmured. It only took a few moments for her breathing to become soft and even, the only sound in the room. As she slept, I lay next to her, listening to her breathe and letting my mind wander.
I’d kissed Colin. He kissed me back, too. And it seemed like he was really into it, interested in maybe more. What I knew for sure was thatIwas definitely,definitelyinterested in more.
Chapter 8
Colin
Ididn’tseemuchof Dakota in the week following our kiss, despite my best efforts to get home early and catch him. We waved to each other in passing a couple of times, but I spent most of the week finishing up my lights display, perfecting and tweaking and adjusting the last few pieces. On Friday afternoon, the day after Thanksgiving, I spotted him pulling into the driveway while I was plugging in my display. He stopped and waved, so I gestured for him to come say hi.
“Hey there,” he said, a big grin on his face. “This looks amazing.”
I shrugged in an attempt to look casual. “Thanks. Just put the finishing touches on.”
A cold gust of wind blew, making Dakota shiver in his Henley and jeans. “Getting cold,” he said. “I thought Port Grandlin was supposed to be in the south.”
I laughed. “I think we’re south enough to be ‘the south’ and north enough to get a little snow. Oh! Speaking of snow, did you see the weather forecast? We’re supposed to get some this weekend. Starting tonight, I think.”
“Really?” He raised his eyebrows. “I don't think so.”
With a nod, I gestured toward my house. “Yeah, it could be a pretty severe storm. I have a little backup generator, so I should be covered.”
“I thought November was too early for snow,” he grumbled. “I know they get snowstorms in West Virginia this time of year, but down here?” He shrugged. “I doubt we’ll see much.”
“You’re probably right,” I agreed, “but better safe than sorry.”
“Too bad Lina is with her mom this weekend. She’s a snow fanatic. I love building snowmen with her.”
“Well, maybe you’ll get your chance later this season,” I said hopefully.
He glanced down at his watch briefly, which was lit up with a notification. “Oh, shit. I’ve got to go. I promised I’d go to trivia night with Robbie.”
Laughing, I waved him away. “Don’t want to be late.”
He hesitated, though, lingering like he couldn’t tear his gaze from me. Or maybe I was just projecting. “You wanna come with?”
Did I? Did I want to spend the evening with the guy I had a crush on and his best friend? I worried I’d end up feeling out of place, like a third wheel. “Nah, that’s okay. I have a big night of plans with Edgar and Poe. Thanks for the invite though. Next time?”
He nodded and pointed at me. “Next time.” Another notification from his watch and he sighed. “Okay, I really do have to go. See you later.”
I waved goodbye and watched as he jogged back to his house, trying to suppress the longing I felt for him. Instead of wallowing, I plugged the last extension cord in and headed inside to flip the switch and turn on my Christmas light display for the first time of the season.
I watched with childlike joy as the lights illuminated, the yard a glittering wonderland. Each tree was wrapped, there were dozens of figurines, and the yard was edged in strands of light. The house glowed, evident even from the inside because of the way the lights trimmed the windows. I sighed with happiness and made my way to the living room to watch some TV and cuddle with the cats awhile before bed, where I was sure to dream of Dakota and that kiss.
I woke in the middle of the night, shivering in the dark, and immediately recognized what had happened. “Well, I guess I was right,” I mumbled sleepily as I got up and grabbed an extra blanket for the bed. I wondered how long the power had been out, but didn’t want to put too much effort into figuring it out and ruining my night’s sleep. Soon enough, I was snuggling in with Edgar, Poe sleeping at my feet, and I fell back to sleep quickly.
The next morning, sun peeking through a crack in my blackout curtains, I woke up with a yawn and a stretch. It was noticeably colder, and I lay there for a long time, enjoying the warmth of the down comforter, reluctant to get out of bed, listening to the wind howl outside my window. I opened the curtains and pulled up the blinds so I could watch the snowstorm rage outside.
Eventually, I made my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth and do what I needed to do, shivering as my bare feet touched the cold tile floor. As soon as that was done, I hurried back to bed, practically diving under the covers again. I spent most of the day like that, scrolling on my phone, listening to the storm, and giving Edgar and Poe some love. I was super grateful that they had a battery-operated automatic feeder in the kitchen, so I didn’t have to get up and make sure they were fed.
What finally got me out of bed again, sometime mid-afternoon, was a knock on the door. I glanced outside and saw the storm had died down enough that I could see the street—or, at least, where the street was supposed to be—and figured a neighbor had come to check on me or ask for help with their generator or something.
Reluctant to get out of my cozy nest, I pulled my favorite fluffy bathrobe on to cover my T-shirt and basketball shorts and made my way to the front door barefoot. Poe followed me, meowing for attention and probably treats.
“I know, I know, honey.” I scooped her up in my arms before opening the door. She was an escape artist and would be likely to dash outside if I didn’t.
Another knock sounded just before I opened the door, and when I swung it open, Dakota stood on the other side, a sheepish look on his face.
