Just as she was considering whether to duck down and hide, he tilted his head and smiled tentatively, probably trying to decide if his eyes were deceiving him. They weren’t.
She turned down the Christmas music and lowered her window. “Hey stranger. Dare I ask why you’re here?”
“I’d ask you the same thing.” He walked closer and rested his arms on the frame of her door. He was wearing jeans and a Henley, and he looked way better in them than any man should. He smelled nice too.
“I’m here for a party. Aren’t you?”
“I just finished making the appetizers for it.”
“Oh, really. Where’s your coat? It’s cold tonight.” All her nice warm air was escaping out the window, and he was shivering, though he tried to hide it. “Do you want to come sit in here for a minute?” She wasn’t sure what made her ask. Maybe it was just an excuse to sit out here longer.
He walked around the front of her car and got in on the passenger side, adjusting the seat to make room for his longer legs. “Wow, it’s warm in here. I’ve been running around all day and forgot the sun would eventually go down.”
“Yes, that pesky day and night thing is a bummer.”
A slow smile lit his face, and her heart did a little flip. “So, are you a caterer? I guess Amelia went fancy this year.”
“I’m a dietician. But I moonlight as a personal chef sometimes.”
Tara opened her mouth to reveal the last of her butterscotch disc. “Am I busted for eating candy in front of you?”
Luke laughed. “I collect Pez dispensers. I’m definitely not the candy police.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
There was a long pause and she realized they were at a crossroads. She should go in, and he was supposed to leave, but neither of them made a move to do either of those things.
“Sandy didn’t come with you?” he asked. “I bet she’s the life of the party.”
“Oh, she is. She’s coming in a bit. Her son called from Germany, and they were still talking when I left.”
“Military?”
“On tour with his band. He’s the bass guitarist. Have you heard of Ophelia Blue?”
He shook his head.
“Don’t feel bad. They’re not big in the U.S. but fans overseas seem to love them.”
Light snowflakes began to fall on the windshield. They were so pretty and fluffy and they both craned their necks to look. She loved that he seemed to find it just as magical as she did.
When they shifted back in their seats, he turned to look at her, like he was memorizing everything about her face. She took the opportunity to do the same. He had a sprinkling of light freckles across his nose and cheeks and the most expressive eyes she’d ever encountered. As their staring contest continued, her pulse picked up speed and a nervous swirling started in her stomach. The look on his face said he wanted to kiss her, but he didn’t make a move, and she didn’t fear that he would. They were practically strangers, after all.
“Your hair is curly tonight. Did you straighten it before?”
She laughed. “Oh yes. This is my hair in its natural state, doing its best to take over the world, one curl at a time.”
“It’s beautiful. Not that it’s not beautiful straight. What I mean is that it’s beautiful either way.”
His fumbling was adorable. “Thanks.”
“Can I ask you something?” he said softly.
“Sure.”
“This is the third time we’ve run into each other. Do you think it means something?”
“That God listens to my aunt’s prayers?” She grinned.
