Chapter Twenty-Three
Bebe was practicallylying on my feet as I stood outside Seth’s house with Seth.The cold had settled in fully, our breaths curling into the air as soft wisps of smoke.Janice was already inside, not comfortable staying at my place by herself.
Seth’s fingers were tight around his phone, the light from the screen casting a soft glow against his face.His frown deepened as he scrolled through whatever he was looking at.
“How long was the delay?”I asked, shifting my weight from foot to foot, keeping myself warm.
“Two hours.They’re already on their way.Might even be here by the time you come back.”
“Then why are you glowering at your phone?”
“I’m just keeping an eye on their flight.”
I crossed my arms, smirking as I tilted my head.“Didn’t you mention once that your mom worries about you when you’re traveling.I can see that you got that from her.”
“What are you talking about?”He finally tore his eyes away from the screen of his phone to look at me.
I raised an eyebrow.“You’re fretting.Hovering.Worrying.I’m almost afraid you’re about to camp out here all night in case their plane needs a personal escort.”
His mouth opened in protest, then closed as his eyes narrowed slightly.“I wouldn’t do that.My mom would kill me if she showed up and I was an icicle.”
“Sure.”I grinned.“Well, tell them I said hi when they get here.”
“They’ll be excited to meet you tomorrow,” Seth said, the darkness around us somehow making it feel more intimate.
I smiled as silence settled, not awkward, just lingering.The kind where words weren’t needed.His eyes dropped to my lips and I felt the chill of the air a little less.The tension hung there for a heartbeat before he leaned in, capturing my lips with his.It was gentle but sure.Confident.
I kissed him back, my hands resting on his coat, using him as an anchor as I leaned into him.His warmth, the taste of peppermint from the candy cane he had been sucking on, the way he angled his head just right to allow us to deepen the kiss—it was perfect.I wanted more.Moaning softly, I pressed into him, craving more of the connection, more of his playfulness as he nipped at my bottom lip.
Only the sounds of tires crunching on the little bit of snow on the ground broke our contact.We pulled back at the same time, breaths mingling in the frosty air.Paxon’s car rolled to a stop in the driveway, headlights dimming, but his car remained there idling as he waited for me.
“Well, time for me to go,” I whispered, trying to hide the fact that he made me feel a bit weak at the knees if that were possible.
“Have fun tonight.”Seth leaned over and kissed my cheek.“I better warm up before my mom catches me becoming an icicle when she gets here.”
I smiled after him as he went inside and then headed to the car.Paxon got out, bundled in his coat as he went around and opened the door.
“Hi,” I said, nervousness about our date finally hitting me.
“Hey.”He gave me a smile but something about it was off.
As I settled in the super warm car, he got back in.
I let out a quiet breath as I snuck a glance at Paxon while he put his seatbelt on.There was a heaviness in the car that I couldn’t quite place.He wore one of the black coats with buttons instead of a zipper.Made him look stylish, even in his dark blue jeans and black beanie.He looked great except he seemed tense, his jaw tight as he backed out of the driveway.
“You okay?”I asked gently.
“Yeah.”His answer was too fast and clipped.“Yeah, I’m fine.”
I shifted in my seat to better face him.“You sure?You seem kind of quiet.Tense.”
He let out a slow breath, his shoulders lowering slightly as he kept clenching and unclenching the steering wheel.“Just a long day.The holiday is driving my family crazy.”
