“Doesn’t matter. I’ll like it.” He continued touching me, his strong fingers kneading the muscles between my shoulder and neck before pressing his lips to my forehead. “Do you want some soup? I’m craving it.”
“Uh, yes.” I almost laughed at the complete change of topic. “Soup sounds perfect.”
“Good.” He moved to the kitchen, taking his body heat and intensity with him, and I welcomed the moment of solitude. The change from intense to light and flirty gave me whiplash, and I wasn’t buckled in for the ride.
It was still unclear what we were. Neighbors? Friends? A fling for sure. But I dang well knew I couldn’t go back to pretending he didn’t exist. Not after everything we’d shared. We had to be at least friends. We’d figure that part out, though the thought of never kissing him again made my heart ache.
My phone rang, jostling me from overthinking. I swiped my finger across the screen and brought the device to my ear. “Hello! Happy Christmas Eve, Mom!”
“My dear Becca. Are you surviving this tundra? Seriously. I can’t wait until we retire and move to the Southwest. I’ll take sunshine and heat over this insane cold any day of the week!”
“I hear you. You still have power?” I couldn’t decide whether I preferred the power on or off. Off meant cozying by the fire, sharing the bed, and being near Harrison. That would all end when the power returned. Plus my phone had 20 percent battery left.
“Yes, honey. We have generators. Plus, we’re having the Conways over for dinner tonight, and the Davids tomorrow. They’re all disappointed you can’t be here, but they’ll obviously understand.”
“Tell them hi for me, and I’ll catch up with them as soon as I can.”
“Well, that’s why I’m calling. The New Year’s Eve party on the boat—the black-tie big gala event raising money for the underfunded schools. I know you wanted to stay in and read during this break, but it would do you good to have one night out. We can go shopping for a dress and, oh—a date! I know three very handsome gentlemen who would just cut off their arm to take you!”
“Mom, slow down.” I rubbed my temple with my free hand, already regretting I’d answered the phone. “I donotneed you to set me up with a date.”
“You’ll need a plus-one to a gala, darling. The tables are set up in pairs, and it would look silly if you came alone.”
“Then I guess I shouldn’t go to the gala, huh? I don’t mind sitting alone. Plus that way I can sneak out early after I taste all the food and champagne.”
“Nonsense!” She covered the phone and shouted something to my dad.
“Ugh,” I mumbled.
Harrison appeared, his expression concerned. I waved my hand in the air in the universal sign of “it’s nothing.” He furrowed his brows, and tight lines formed around his mouth as he rested his hands on his hips. “I’ll take you.”
“Wh-what?”
“Whatever your mom is trying to rope you into, I’ll be your date.” He shrugged, his posture stiff and rigid.
“My date?” I took my pointer finger and slammed it against my chest. I couldn’t possibly have heard him right.
“Yes.” He grinned and squeezed my shoulder before heading back into the kitchen. “Tell your mom you have a plus-one.”
Uh, what just happened? What are words? Where am I?
“Mom…” I said, trying without luck to regain her attention. “Mom! Call off your dating shenanigans. I have a plus-one.”
“You have a date? Oh! Sexy neighbor, huh? Did the cute underwear work after all?”
I groaned. “I don’t want to run down my phone battery even more, but send me the details so I can pass them along to my plus-one.”
“You better not be pulling my leg, honey.”
“I would never,” I lied, because she and I both knew I would. “Tell Dad I love him, and I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“But Becca…”
“Love you! Bye, Mom!” I hung up and tossed the phone onto the couch.
The dating conversation exhausted me every single time. Why was she like this? My life was fine without love!
But Harrison? Volunteering? It had to be guilt or something.A date with him?
