Natasha nudged my elbow. "Is he taking you home tonight?"
"I rode with him, and he's going to help me get Ayla's bike under the tree." I was used to doing the holidays by myself. Gus didn't contribute to the presents that Ayla received from Santa. He didn't even buy her presents from himself. He liked to say that only Santa brought presents.
"Are you going to ask him to stay and maybe watch a holiday movie together? That would be romantic."
I laughed. "I didn't have any plans to seduce him, if that's what you're asking."
"I suggest you go with the flow. When Ford showed back up in my life, there were plenty of reasons not to give him a second chance. I had every reason to believe that he wouldn't stick around. But I took a chance on him. And it was the best thing I ever did."
Ford sat next to her and put his arm around her. "Are you talking about me?"
Natasha rolled her eyes but smiled. "I was just telling her how taking a second chance with you was the best decision."
Ford smiled. "I'm grateful every day for another opportunity with you. I can't help but think that we were meant to be."
Natasha leaned closer, and I looked away.
It felt like an intimate moment. They were half a second away from kissing, so I got up to take my plate into the kitchen.
There was no one in the kitchen except for Hudson's mother. "I was just going to put this away."
"I can take care of that for you." She took the plate from me, rinsing it before placing it in the dishwasher.
"Thank you for inviting me." It was really Hudson who'd insisted I come, but it felt like the polite thing to say.
"We enjoyed spending more time with you. It's a shame what happened in your shop and right before Christmas too."
I let out a breath. At least she didn't seem to think my shop didn't belong on Candy Cane Lane. "It wasn't the best timing. But Hudson assures me he'll have everything fixed soon."
"I saw that you're selling some of your things at the new bookstore."
I nodded as she wiped off the counters. "Belle was nice enough to offer me space."
"I adore those blind dates with a book she displayed for Christmas. The wrapping paper is festive. Each book comes with a handwritten note of tropes and a little ornament. What a great idea."
"Belle has a lot of good ideas."
"She's working with Maverick to expand the shop with outdoor seating and maybe even a cafe."
"It's going to be a nice spot to hang out." Belle probably had a long-term lease with a promise from Eve to do the repairs to make the shop exactly what she wanted. I was still operating under a short-term lease, and a lot of uncertainty.
"I'll be spending a lot of time in her store. I love to browse books."
"Ayla does too." I wondered if Maria knew anything about what was going on between Belle and her son. I had a feeling Maverick didn't share his feelings with anyone. So probably not. But a mother sometimes knew these things without having to be told.
"I certainly enjoyed having a child in the house again. I keep waiting for grandkids, but I'm not sure it's ever going to happen with these boys. They're in no rush to settle down and get married."
Lincoln walked in, his hand over his chest. "Hey, I found a woman."
Maria patted his cheek. "But where are my grandkids?"
"I've only been working at the practice in Telluride for a short time. Give me a chance to get settled." Lincoln winked at me as if I had any idea what he was going through.
I'd gotten married in college and had Ayla fairly soon thereafter. My parents weren't happy. They wanted me to focus on my career, but it wasn't something we'd planned on doing so soon. It just happened. And I wouldn't change it for the world.
"I bet your parents are just over the moon about that little girl. She's precious."
If my parents were enamored with her, I would think they would visit more often. But I didn't want to ruin the moment by admitting that out loud.
