“Have I told you how sexy your back is?”
He turned, one brow raised and a smirk forming. “Doesn’t hurt to hear it multiple times.”
“Well, it is very sexy.” I walked up to him and dragged my finger up his spine, tracing the outlines of his angles. “Didn’t realize I had a thing for backs until I saw yours.”
Turning toward me, his eyes warmed, and he tipped my chin up with his fingers. “You’re cute.”
The words and his gentleness had my heart hammering against my rib cage. “I do what I can.” I closed my eyes as he brought his lips against mine in a brief kiss. “Shall we brave the small army your sister birthed?”
“I guess.” He pulled me against him in an entire chest-to-chest, full-armed hug that felt like home and Christmas wrapped up in one gesture. I squeezed his torso, resting my head on his chest.
Instead of confessing how much I liked him, I said the next thing that popped into my mind—the never-ending place of random and useless facts. “Did you know hugging someone produces dopamine in your system, essentially causing you happiness? There are people who cuddle others for money. It’s basically getting paid to hug strangers. Seems kinda weird, but it wouldn’t be so bad if you could demand they shower beforehand. Maybe I should look into that during breaks. I don’t know. I’m not strapped for cash, but a little extra moolah is always nice, right?”
“Are you nervous, Becca?” He pulled back from the hug and narrowed his eyes, assessing me with his tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek. “It’s been a while since you spat out random, yet super-fun, facts.”
I broke out of the hug and organized my things into the bag. “I’m not nervous. Just anxious, that’s all. It’s like whenever we went on vacation when I was a kid. I could never enjoy the last two days because all I thought about was getting home and returning to normal life. My brain is wired to think about all the things I have to do, and I’ve already lost four days of my break to clean the house. And who knows how much the window will cost to repair.”
I took a breath, hoping I didn’t sound as erratic as I felt. My emotions were out of control and downright embarrassing. If I kept talking and planning, then I could avoid the feelings I didn’t want to deal with. It wasn’t like I could tell him I liked him. Not again.
Not after that date and ghosting two years ago.
Not after I heard what he told his sister. I had a little bit of pride and dignity left.
I straightened my posture. “Aren’t you anxious?”
“Not really.”
His tone was different than earlier, but I couldn’t place it. Like he wasn’t happy, nor sad, nor angry. Resigned, maybe? I wasn’t sure. He slipped on a shirt before turning back toward me. His muscles flexed against the cotton material.
“I’m going to get coffee. Come and join me when you’re ready,” he said in the same stoic tone.
My gut exploded with worry.
“Okay. Sure. Yeah.” I nodded.
He gave me a brief smile before leaving the room, and for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why my body shivered. I couldn’t imagine what I might’ve said to upset him, yet I could’ve sworn he was mad when he shut the door.
Stop acting weird and be cool.
Yes, that’s what I’d do.
I packed the rest of my stuff, put on a warm sweater and jeans, and made sure my hair wasn’t too crazy before heading downstairs.
“It was wonderful to meet you, Becca. Seriously. I hope we see you again soon.” Blair hugged me as we said goodbye, and I avoided Harrison’s stare as he tried communicating something to me with his green irises alone. A huge mistake on his part—I wasn’t fluent in straight eye contact.
Instead of agreeing with Blair, I thanked her. “It was wonderful spending the holiday with your family. Thank you. It would’ve been very cold and lonely by myself in the huge house.”
“Our pleasure.” She motioned with her chin to her kiddos, and each one came up and hugged my legs. “What do you say, loves?”
“Nice to meet you!”
“Merry Christmas!”
“I like your sweater!” Gabby made us all laugh.
It was a rainbow sweater with a unicorn wearing a lime green scarf. It matched my winter coat. “Thank you! I love super bright shirts.”
“I do, too!”
