“Tonight then. Now eat your waffle before it gets cold,” I say casually.
I’m a hot-blooded man who has every intention of fulfilling her begging request, because I’m relieved to be crossing a threshold to a world where the door has been closed for a while.
Now I’m just wondering what I’m unleashing.
12
STONE
There is definitely a glint of excitement in Harlow’s eye as we walk along Main Street, which means that she was completely serious about what she requested back at the Dizzy Duck Inn.
Thank the fucking heavens.
Does that make me an ass? Should I be questioning this more? Pressuring her is the last thing I want to do. But now she has thrown in a yellow card and flipped the pace on me; damn, maybe that puts the weight on me.
She flashes me a closed-mouth smile before she turns her head to observe the store fronts decorated for the holidays.
I just admire her because I’ve seen Main Street a thousand times.
“I’m sure if Santa were real that he would be very proud of the Lake Spark citizens for their efforts to turn this place into an overdone North Pole,” she jokes.
I snort a laugh. “I’m kind of scared for Easter, but I heard they go crazy for St. Patrick’s Day. It must be weird for you in Florida to see holiday decorations amongst palm trees.”
Harlow shrugs. “It’s all I’ve known.” She leans in to whisper, “Shh, don’t tell my family, but it looks a thousand times better with snow, except I’m not sure I can feel my toes.”
I instantly wrap my arm around her shoulders as we walk together. “I can probably fix that.”
“I’m sure.”
Her eyes squint. “Oh, I think I noticed last time I was here, but it’s a bit more confronting when I see blue and silver lace.” She tips her head in the direction of the lingerie boutique in town.
“By all means, explore.” No, she reallyshouldexplore.
Harlow nudges my arm, and alas, we move on.
My phone goes off, and I quickly pull it up to see a message from my brother.
“What’s giving you a bright smile?” Harlow wonders.
“My brother wants to up the betting pool for Christmas. We always watch football the next day, a sort of tradition. Mostly college ball,” I explain.
“Your face really does change when you talk about him. The bond must be nice between you two.”
What the hell? Why did it just flicker in my brain that I should introduce her to the family?
I breathe out a long gust. “Did you ever wish you had a sibling?”
“Nah, I don’t know what I’m missing. It’s my friends and routine as the reason I’ve stayed in Florida. Anyhow, aren’t I supposed to be writing while I’m here? I haven’t gotten a single word in, you devil you,” Harlow chides.
I look behind her and scan her ass, which she notices. “It’s fine, you’ve been researching.”
We both stop in our tracks. “I meant what I said. I’m not fragile.”
My lips purse out. “In hockey, we speed ahead, and sometimes we look back after and realize it was the wrong play.”
It takes her aback. “Ah, you think I will think I’m fine, only to freak out?”
I say nothing.
