Cassie paused, grazing her teeth over her bottom lip as she appeared to study him, assessing his trustworthiness. When her lips finally parted, she said, “I’ve always wanted to own my own coffee shop. A place where I can match people with their perfect cup of coffee.” A soft light lit her eyes from within. “My favorite thing in the world is when someone doesn’t know what they want, and then they take a sip of what I created for them. One sip. And their entire posture changes. Their shoulders relax. The crease in their forehead fades. It’s like they’ve come home, and they didn’t even realize they were lost.”
Watching the passion illuminate Cassie’s face stirred something in Luke. Something he hadn’t felt in a long time. And he wanted nothing more than to lean across the counter, take her beautiful face in his hands, and kiss her. Like he’d almost done last night.
As if reading his mind, Cassie blushed. “That probably sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?”
“Not at all,” Luke said, wishing his voice didn’t sound so husky. “And I have no doubt your dream will come true one day.”
“Thanks.” The word escaped barely above a whisper, her hushed tone increasing the air of intimacy in the snug space.
Luke’s heartbeat hammered so loudly he was certain Cassie could hear it. Now was his chance. He had to tell Cassie how he felt. With any luck, she’d return his feelings. But…
Luke glanced out the window. Thick snowflakes continued to tumble from the sky. If she didn’t feel the same way, Luke would be trapping them inside the cottage to stew in the awkwardness. Could he really risk putting Cassie in that position?
Forcing aside his own preference, Luke asked, “How about we get this pie in the oven, and I’ll show you how we spend a snow day in Poppy Creek?”
“Before I say yes,” Cassie said, sliding off the stool, “please tell me it’s not knitting.”
Laughter rumbled through Luke’s chest. “No, not knitting. Cassie Hayward, it’s time for your Christmas movie marathon.”
A slow, tantalizing smile spread across Cassie’s lips, and Luke groaned internally. How in the world would he spend the next several hours curled up on the couch next to this irresistible woman without crossing the invisible line of friendship?
Luke certainly didn’t consider himself a weak man.
But did he havethatmuch strength?
He honestly wasn’t sure.
Chapter 9
Apersistent pounding on the front door roused Cassie from a deep sleep. Groggy, she released a low moan. Whatwasit with small towns and everyone showing up unannounced all the time?
It took her a moment to orient herself with her surroundings. The last thing she remembered was…
Cassie’s cheeks burned at the sudden memory.She’d fallen asleep on the couch with Luke duringThe Santa Clause.Which was ironic, considering she could relate to Tim Allen’s character. But halfway through the film, she’d nodded off until Luke’s soft murmur, and the warmth of his breath tickling her forehead stirred her awake.
They’d parted ways at the top of the staircase, awkwardly saying goodnight before Luke disappeared into the spare room. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to fall asleep with Luke a few feet down the hall. But slumber had come quickly, and she felt a strange sense of peace knowing he was nearby.
Cutting into her thoughts, the hammering on the front door grew more urgent.
“Luke? Cassie? I know you’re both in there. I can see your cars buried in the snow.”
Eliza!
Cassie’s heart quickened as she wrestled with the tangle of covers, tumbling onto the floor in a jumble of sheets and quilts.
“Are you okay?” Luke appeared in the doorway, sleepy-eyed and disheveled, his voice deep and husky first thing in the morning.
Cassie couldn’t let her eyes linger too long on the adorable cowlick in his dark hair, or the faint impressions the pillow left on his stubbled cheek. “It’s Eliza!” she hissed. “She’s going to think you spent the night.”
Luke’s chuckle came out low and raspy. “Ididspend the night.”
“You know what I mean.” Finally free of the covers, Cassie jumped to her feet and pushed past him into the hall, doing her best to ignore his irresistible, musky scent.
Watching Christmas movies over slices of mince pie had already drained every ounce of self-control she possessed. The urge to lean against him as they sat side by side on the couch all evening had been stronger than she wanted to admit. Even to herself.
Throwing open the front door, Cassie was surprised to see Ben standing beside his mother, dressed head to toe in an entire department store’s worth of snow gear.
“I want to hear all aboutthis,” Eliza said, waggling her finger between Luke and Cassie. “But it’ll have to wait. School has called a snow day because of some frozen pipes, my parents are out of town, and I need someone to watch Ben while I’m at work. I tried your place first, Luke. But when you weren’t home, I figured I’d check here.” Eliza didn’t bother hiding her smirk.
