“No, you didn’t.” I closed the lid of my box. “That’s not what I meant at all. I just sometimes leap before properlylooking. If anything, this is my fault for rushing in, heart on my sleeve, without considering what you wanted.”
I stood and grabbed my coat, shoving my arms through the sleeves while Silas wound a deep purple scarf around his neck. It was still cold at night this time of year.
“Well, to be fair, you met me on a matchmaker app. You must have expected me to be more open to romance.”
“A little, yeah.” I smiled gamely. “But you were pretty honest when we met.” I gestured toward the door. “Can I walk you out?”
His lips quirked. “Well, we’re going the same way. Might as well walk together.”
I picked up my to-go box and followed him to the door. When we stepped outside, a brisk wind smacked us in the face. Silas’s hair barely moved. That man used a lot of styling products. My messy curls were blowing straight into my eyes, though.
Silas laughed and brushed my hair out of my face. “Can you even see through all this mess?”
My gaze locked on his. “I see pretty clearly right now.”
“Bryson…”
“You’re in charge, Silas. I’m not?—”
He cut off my words with a swift kiss. His nose was cold as it brushed my cheek, but his mouth was decadently warm.
“Goodnight, Bryson.”
“That’s it? Goodnight?”
“You’re too tempting. So, yeah, I’ve got to go. I can’t complicate everything right now. I need to focus on your brother’s wedding.”
“Are you sure that’s the reason you’re walking away?”
“Tonight, it is.”
“And when the wedding’s over?”
“I don’t know. I can’t think about that right now.”
“Okay. Play it your way, Silas. I’m not giving up on you.”
He surged forward, kissing me once more, then spun on his heel and walked away.
I lifted my fingers to touch my smiling lips. He might have brushed me off, but there was a lot less ice in his rejection. Silas wanted to let me in. I just had to figure out how to help him do it.
CHAPTER 13
Silas
Gravel crunchedunder my tires as I passed the Grisold Christmas Tree Farm sign. A faded W had been spray-painted in just after the S to change the name to Griswold, the famous holiday movie family. I was sure Noel just loved that.
On my left, a two-story house with a wraparound porch sat framed by evergreen trees. A barn stood a few hundred feet away, looking dormant now that the holiday season was over.
Rows upon rows of evergreen trees stretched out as far as the eye could see. Even without glistening snow and twinkling lights, it was a beautiful location. Linc and Darren were going to have a great rehearsal dinner here, but I couldn’t wait until Noel finished the renovations that would transform it into a full wedding destination.
I parked beside a classic Dodge Charger that Darren treasured. He threw open his driver’s door and got out, and Lincemerged from the passenger side. They both met me in front of my car.
“Ready to get this menu finalized?” I asked.
“Yep, but I know it’ll be great,” Linc said with a nervous smile. “I just can’t believe the wedding is coming up so soon.”
I smiled. “You guys have waited long enough.”
