AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The only thing I was going to do tonight is rewatch The Princess Diaries, so lucky for you, I’m free,” she says with the sweetest smile on her face.
I thought there would be more awkwardness between us, more nervousness. We FaceTime or text every day. In a way, we already know each other so well. It makes sense that it is so natural between us.
“Good. Because I was really hoping that we could hang out.” I slide my hand into hers as she steps toward the exit.
“Hmm. I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” she mumbles, and my heart plummets. She looks up at me and panics. “Oh my God, I was kidding. Of course I want to hang out with you.”
The ache begins to fade as she strokes her thumb over my hand.
“I thought about you a lot today.”
All the time, according to Chloe.
“Oh, really?” I tease her as we approach the front desk.
“Heading out?” the librarian asks her.
“Yeah. Do you need help with anything before I go?” she asks and turns, giving the lady her full attention.
How is she always so thoughtful? That small gesture might be overlooked by most, but she always makes sure that whoever she is interacting with feels truly listened to—a habit she probably picked up because she once felt like she was never heard. She gives me the same attention every day while we talk. I will make damn sure she always feels the same way with me.
“Oh, no. I can handle it from here. You two have a good night.” She shoos us away with her hands, and I follow Nikki’s lead to the door.
“Did you pack any bags?” she asks. “I have clothes you can borrow, but they might be a little tight.” She giggles.
My smile stretches on my face from that beautiful sound she makes. “I think I’ll have to pass on that this time around. My bags are at your shop. I just have to drop them off at the hotel, and I’m all yours. Do you have a jacket? It’s pretty cold out there.”
She shrugs. “I’ll be just fine. I walked over here, you know.”
I don’t give her a second to protest before I’m pulling my hoodie up and over my head. “Here, wear this.”
She stares at me. “Cam—”
“Please. It will make me feel better,” I assure her.
She hands me her phone and croissant and takes the black Nighthawks hoodie from my hand.
She slides her arms through it, and as the extra-large hoodie envelops her small frame, I know that I am eternally fucked. No one will ever look as good in my hoodie as my Little Dove does. She might not be mine yet, but I’m sure as hell hers.
“What?” she whispers.
Smirking, I feel my cheeks warm as I hand her things over to her. “It looks better on you than me. Keep it.”
I take her hand in mine again when we step outside, and I’m happy to see the snowfall has lightened up.
She swings our hands between us as we make the brief walk back to her shop. “If you want, I was thinking you could—”
Her hand pulls mine as she slips, and I lift her up with ease.
“Are you okay?”
She giggles again. “I didn’t even fall; you caught me.”
“Always, Little Dove. Better safe than sorry,” I tell her as I scoop her legs and cradle her in my arms. “Now, what were you saying?”
Her soft gaze is locked on to my face, and she remains silent for a moment before breaking it. “I was going to say that if you don’t want to stay at a hotel, you could stay with me.”
It takes all of my focus to stay on my feet and not let my knees buckle out. “Are you sure you’re comfortable with that?”
