“The last time you talked about your neighbor, you said you scared him.”
She giggled, thinking back to her first impression of the scowling electrician who’d practically fallen into his apartment when she’d said hello. “I did. You can ask him.” Thinking about it now, she understood why he’d wanted to run from her—from any woman.
“What changed?”
Celine leaned in, listening without looking up. Layla smiled, eager for a romantic story.
Diana slowed down, thinking more about her and Cliff’s friendship and the new feelings growing steadily inside of her. “Little things.” She set the Santa aside and picked up an angel. “Like, he shovels my walk every time it snows. He even spreads salt so I don’t slip in heels.”
Celine gave her a dubious look. “You fell in love with him because ofsalt?”
She smiled easily. She liked the sound of “love” in relation to her and Cliff and had no desire to correct Celine. “Not just that.” She shifted, warming to the topic. “He listens to me. Really hears my needs. Like, this one time, I mentioned I was having a hard time sleeping because my neighbor’s toilet was running. He knocked on their door and offered to fix it for free—just so I could sleep better.”
Layla cooed. “He’s so in love with you.”
Celine blew a raspberry, earning her a dirty look from her mom, who placed a protective arm over the cookie sheet. “Give me roses and symphony tickets any day,” Celine added.
Aunt Willow shook her head. “You’re going to send your husband to an early grave trying to spoil you—if you ever find one.”
Celine pushed her chair back and glared at Diana. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be spoiled.” She threw down the decorating bag and stormed off.
“Why was she looking atmelike that?” asked Diana. She hadn’t done anything to Celine.
“Because she’s mad that you’re happy and she’s alone.” Aunt Willow snatched the bag of the table and tsked. “I need to wash off this tip.” She headed for the kitchen.
“And,” added Sadie, leaning over the table, “she’s the only one being nagged this year.” As a graduate of the wedding preparation program every young woman went through when she hit 21, Sadie understood the pressure all too well.
Diana pulled her lips down in anI’m sorryface. She did feel a little guilty leaving Celine to face the matchmakers alone.
Layla leaned in too. “I heard your mom saying something about inviting a guy to the devotional for her. He’s 47, but she doesn’t think the age difference will be a problem, because he’s going through a second-childhood thing. The therapist says it won’t last much longer.”
“Heaven help her,” whispered Sadie.
All guilt fled as Diana realized it would have been her on the blind date if she hadn’t brought Cliff. He’d saved her a dozen times over this weekend, but skipping a midlife crisis situation was huge.
“They’re doomed before they even start.” Layla finished a poinsettia with a quick twist of her wrist. “Not you and Cliff, though. You guys are going to make it.”
Diana didn’t hide her smile. She liked the sound of that. Plus, it was kind of funny how easily everyone believed she and Cliff were a couple. “How’s that?” she prodded, wondering what exactly they’d done that had sold the idea.
“Because of the way he looks at you.”
She flushed, feeling vulnerable and excited all at once. “How does he look at me?”
“Like you’re his world.” Layla said as if it were obvious.
“I—I—” Could it be true? She thought he’d looked at her differently today, but that wasn’t until after their little talk about beingfriendlier. She took flight on the hope that Cliff might feel something for her, something more than the friendship she’d pried out of him with baked goods.
“It’s an amazing feeling, isn’t it? When a man loves you like that.” Layla sighed happily.
Sadie nodded in agreement.
Diana finally found her voice. “It’s … overwhelming.” There was a certain amount of responsibility that came with a man loving her—especially a man like Cliff. He was just sogood.
“Speak of the handsome devil.” Sadie giggled. She pointed over Diana’s shoulder with the pastry bag to Cliff standing in the doorway. He found her quickly enough and headed her direction.
She warmed at the sight of him before catching a nip of cold off his clothing. “Were you outside?” He’d disappeared after lunch without saying where he was going. She’d been roped into setting up for cookie decorating and hadn’t followed to make sure everything was all right.
“I called my brother.” He placed his hands on her neck and began kneading the tight muscles. His skin was cold, but his touch was heaven. She leaned into him, and he dropped a kiss to her hair. Her temperature climbed and her heart raced. She probably felt like a stove burner on high under his fingers.
