I thought about it for a minute. “Yeah, I guess I’ve gotten used to it.”
“That doesn’t happen in Chicago.”
“Well, maybe in small neighborhood places. I think folks just assume there’s a good chance they’ll know the person that’s coming in and want to say hi.”
Elle laughed. “Or they’re nosy.”
“True.”
Elle took in a deep breath filled with contentment. “Nate?”
“Yep.”
“I smell snow.”
We turned in to the downtown. The snow earlier this week still blanketed the grassy areas by the courthouse. The white lights strung around the square joined the old streetlamps to bathe the whole area in a warm glow.
Elle stopped, let go of my hand, and spun around with her arms out. Light flakes were falling as she laughed and threw her head back. She was gorgeous.
“I feel like I’m in a snow globe,” she said.
I took a step toward her. Then another.
“Elle,” I murmured.
She stopped spinning and looked at me. “Yes?”
“I feel like if I don’t kiss you right now I’m going to combust.”
Her smile was instant. “Well, we can’t have that.” She reached out, grabbed my jacket, and pulled me toward her.
My hands framed her face as I dropped my forehead to hers, breathing in her scent. She smelled of cinnamon and vanilla. She smelled like something I wanted to wrap around me and never let go. Her arms encircled me, pulling me close as my lips found hers.
With absolute certainty, I knew this was where I was meant to be.
17
Under the Christmas Tree
Elle
Nate and I walked back to his place, touching constantly. Tonight was amazing. My belly ached from laughing so much. It had been exactly what I needed, almost. Every once in a while, I’d feel a prickling sensation and look up to see Nate watching me from the taproom, where he sat with the guys.
Ava had commented on it and laughed, saying we should just head home and dive into bed because we were going to burn the place down with the sparks flying between us. Maybe I should have felt like it was creepy to have his eyes on me so often, but it felt amazing to me. I felt wanted, desired, and God knows I wanted him.
But I stayed out with my friends, and we had a great time. Just when I got up to get my coat so Ava could drive me home, Nate had appeared at my side, asking if I wanted to walk with him. Ava had given me a knowing smirk and taken off. We’d headed outside, walked a bit, and then he kissed me.
Hekissed me.
It wasn’t like it was the first time we’d kissed, but part of me kept waiting for one of our kisses to feel justokay, like any other time I’ve been kissed. Instead, each kiss seemed to be better than the last. Nate made me feel special in a way I couldn’t put my finger on. Tonight’s kiss promised more.
As we walked home, I hoped that meant that he was done with thislet’s go slownonsense. I mean, quite possibly that had been a good call on Monday night. Monday had beena day. Work, having to move out, having my sister push me into a date with Nate.
Well, that part had been good, great even. But it was a lot. By Monday night, my head had been spinning. The guy that I’d crushed on, slowly getting to know for over a month, the guy I’d shared my secret dreams with, had me staying at his house? I mean, comeon. So while I had wanted to do anything but go slow, Nate likely made the right call.
Days later, however, I was feeling more secure. My place hadn’t had any damage. Work was work, but there was a plan there that, in the end, would result in better education for us all. And I’d spent the past three days at Nate’s house, getting to know him, being reaffirmed daily that the guy I’d been falling for all this time was even better than I’d thought.
Life was good.
