“It’s Matt from Holly Ridge Automotive. I have bad news and good news, which do you want first?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“The good news is that I can fix your van. The bad news is that the parts are on backorder and won’t be in until after the holidays.”
He drones on about specifics, but blood rings in my ears. That’s nearly two months. I have to dramatically change my plans for nearly half the season.
After hanging up with him, I walk back into the kitchen in a daze. Drew looks at me with concern on his face. He slides a cookie in front of Izzy before walking over to me. His hand splays over my waist as he gently guides me backward into the living room.
“What’s wrong?” he asks quietly.
“My van won’t be ready until after the holidays. The parts are on backorder.”
His body relaxes. “Oh, that’s fine. You can stay here as long as you need.”
“I can’t impose. It’s not that easy, either. I don’t have another car, and I can’t afford to take Uber to and from work. I’ll spend more than I make in a day. Fuck.” I rub my hands over my face as I spiral.
“You can use my Jeep.” He shrugs as if it’s that easy. “I have a truck, too. I’ll just use that.”
I drop my hands and look up into his eyes. “You barely know me. Why are you being so kind? Do you have a hero kink or something?”
He smiles and shakes his head. “No. I just don’t want you to worry more than you are. Especially when I’m in a position to help you out. But you can think of me as your hero, if you want.”
Is he flirting with me?
The warmth of his palm sinks into my skin through my thermal shirt. I didn’t even realize he was still touching me. His fingers flex against me, as if he’s having trouble pulling them from my body. My gaze wanders to his lips, just now noticing how full and pink they are.
What would they feel like against mine?
Is he following the same train of thought? Because when I tear my eyes from his lips and force them back to his eyes, I find him looking at my mouth.
“Are you going to have a cookie, Willa?” Izzy yells from the kitchen, breaking the tension between us.
“Yeah,” I reply, stepping around him. Heat sizzles through me when, instead of dropping his hand, he leaves it against my abdomen, his fingers ghosting over me as I slip past him. Desire pools low in my belly at the prolonged contact.
It’s obviously been too long since I got laid.
Izzy smiles at me, holding out a cookie in her chocolate-smeared hands. I accept the offering and take a bite. I moan at the warm, sweet flavors exploding on my tongue.
“That tastes so good.”
“Chocolate chip is my favorite,” Izzy agrees. “What’s your favorite?”
“Every Christmas my grandma used to make monster cookies. They’re still my favorites. They have a little bit of everything in them.”
“We should make those next.”
“We can do that. It looks like I’ll be staying next door as your neighbor until Christmas.”
“Really?” She launches at me from where she’s still perched on the counter. “Can we do all the fun Christmas things? Decorating and making cookies. Oh, and gingerbread houses,” she exclaims. “Daddy?”
“I’m okay with it as long as Willa is.”
My eyes meet his over her shoulder. “I’d love to.”
I take Drew up on his offer to borrow his Jeep, so I can drive into town and grab a few things I’ll need now that I know I’ll be living at his place for the next couple months. Dog food and a new bed for Maya. A few toys for her. Groceries and a few kitchen utensils that he’s missing in the sparsely furnished kitchen.
I’d offer to make them dinner if we had a table to sit at. He flat out refused to charge me any kind of rent. Maybe I’ll bake something to take over for them, fresh bread or something.
