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I shake my head no, and in the next second I’m once again engulfed in Beckett’s arms, his tender hold shielding me from the pain.

It’s one day.

One day.

“Can I help?” he whispers, his warm breath sending a shiver down my spine that makes me physically shake. “What time are you closing up?” he continues, graciously pretending not to notice. “Is it okay if I keep you company?”

While my frantic heart picks up speed, I make a split-second decision that I hope I don’t regret, knowing that at some point our time has to end. For good.

Breaking away from Beckett’s hold, I walk toward the entry and flip the sign in the window before twisting the lock on the door.

“We’re closed.” I shrug as I turn back around, and when our eyes lock, a fire lights in the green of his irises. A lump forms in my throat and I swallow it quickly, squaring my shoulders in the hope of appearing more confident than I am.

“What time do you have to leave for the airport tonight?” Henley mentioned he was heading home Christmas Day in another one of her attempts to get me to talk.

Without a word, Beckett pulls his phone from his pocket and starts pressing buttons, and a minute later, he shows me his screen.

My eyes bulge as one bright red word draws my attention. Canceled.

“Canceled?” Beckett’s expression is unreadable as my gaze lifts to his, and a nervous giggle escapes me.

“I guess I’m not ready to leave.”

“Okay. But what happens when you do?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Me either.”

If I was smart and thinking clearly, I’d tell him to leave. I’d close up the store and go home to watch a non-romantic Christmas movie—maybe Home Alone—and eat ice cream on the couch. It’s the best way to protect my heart. The only way.

But…it turns out, I’m not smart. Plenty of people hang out with guys they’re crushing on and still go on with life. I chose goodbye once, so I can do it again. Right? How much damage could I really do in a few hours?

“Do you want a coffee? Or…” God, I don’t even know what he drinks.

“A water?”

“Do you ever put anything bad in your body? I mean, other than the one drink you have on the odd occasion you attend a social gathering?”

I gasp at my attack, but Beckett thankfully laughs. “I have been known to smash a burger and fries every now and then.”

“Oh, yeah? How often is every now and then?” I purse my lips to suppress a smile and his lips quirk into a grin.

“A few times a year. During the offseason.”

A laugh barrels out of me, and I cover my mouth to stifle it. “Sorry. That’s not as funny as I made it out to be. But I needed that laugh.”

“Happy to help.” He smirks and it’s so damn delicious that I force myself to look away.

“You wanted water.”

“I did.”

“Coming right up.”

I move to walk past him, but his hand shoots out to curl around my waist, pulling me back into his hold. He twists me in his arms until I’m facing his way and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I know this is the last thing we should be doing, considering the way we ended things, but I really want to kiss you again.” His gravelly whisper makes it impossible to say no, but even without it, I’m not sure I could resist.

Lifting to my toes, I stare into his eyes as I brush my lips against his mouth, silently telling him I want the same thing.