Russ’s gaze left his phone and searched her face, almost as if he were seeing it for the first time. “You’re different tonight.”
Her heart leapt. Shewasdifferent. She was taking risks, albeit small ones, but ones she hoped would lead to bigger and better things. She tucked her hair behind her ear before finally making eye contact. “I am?” She wanted to hear him identify the cause, to hear him say that she was bolder, stronger, more beautiful. That she was all the things he’d been looking for in a woman and never found. She had to hear the words before she could fall into his arms, and so she waited with bated breath.
He considered her for a moment more before snapping his fingers. “You’re wearing different lipstick.”
“Yep.” Alice swallowed her disappointment and focused on the fact that he’d stared at her lips. Staring at lips was a wonderful precursor to exploring said lips. She mentally thanked Stacy for the lipstick.
“I think I found what we’re looking for.” Russ passed her his phone.
Catching up to Russ’s train of thought took a moment. They were looking for something? She was looking for a spot to pucker up.
Alice stared at the screen. Slowly, an ad for a book sale at the Fall Festival in town came into focus. They listed several collectible books, includingThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Scrolling down, she checked the time. “I’m supposed to visit my mom on Saturday, but I could switch it to Sunday.”
“That’d be great. I promised to entertain Gabriella while she’s in town, but Saturday morning should work.”
Alice’s blood ran cold, and she found herself holding Russ’s arm awfully tight. He didn’t seem to mind, though. She looked into the distance as she asked, “How long is she in town?”How long before this nightmare is over?With any luck, Gabriella would breeze in and breeze out just as she had last Christmas.
Russ shrugged. “Not sure. I’ll find out when she gets here.”
“Great.”Just stinking great.
All feelings of heat and desire fled like ducks at the sound of a rifle, leaving behind ripples of worry. Surely Russ was aware of what was going on between them: the longer looks, the way they naturally gravitated towards one another, and the smiles and laughter as prevalent as the falling leaves. Most difficult to ignore was the fascination they both had with the other’s lips. Not a minute would go by without one or the other of them noticing the other’s kisser. The tension built until it was all Alice could do not to grab him by the lapels and pull him down to explore the kiss to end all kisses.
Reminding herself that the next move was Russ’s, she barely made it home with her dignity intact. She ran into the condo as if a goblin nipped at her heels. Falling against her bedroom door, she glared at Stacy, who was calmly painting spiderwebs on her black nails.
“What?” asked her sister.
“If that man doesn’t kiss me soon, I’m going to implode.”
Stacy tipped her head back and laughed.
“I’m glad someone’s enjoying this.” Alice flopped on the bed.
“Did you at least find the book?”
“Maybe.” Alice rolled her eyes. “We’re headed to an estate sale on Saturday.”
“Good.”
Alice rolled on her back and stared up at the ceiling. She sighed. “Maybe I should just tell him he melts my butter.”
Stacy snorted and shoved Alice. “You’re crazy.”
“Juliet would have told him.” Juliet was bold and brave for a woman of her time—ready to throw her mind, body, soul, and life into loving Romeo.
“And look what happened to her.”
Alice gave her a dubious look. “I may be into the guy, but I’m not drinking poison for him.”
“That’s a relief,” joked Stacy.
Alice propped her chin on her fist. “Why does it all have to be so complicated?”
Stacy patted her back. “It wouldn’t be a truly great love story if it weren’t.”
“Girls like me don’t have great love stories,” muttered Alice. “Look at Mom: she’s spent her whole life in love with a man who was in love with every other woman on the planet except for her. What a waste.”
The laughter in Stacy’s eyes died. “You’re not Mom, Alice.”
