“Think we should tell him you were there?”
“Absolutely not. He’d never let me live it down.”
I grin. “You’re right. He’d bring it up at Christmas dinner.”
“Exactly.” She places her hand over her heart. “And I’d deny everything.”
“I’d have your back, G.”
She shakes her head, smiling. “You and that nickname.”
“You like it.”
“Maybe.”
We start clearing the table together. Her mug clinks as she places it in the dishwasher.
“I should check on Pops. Make sure he’s behaving.”
I don’t want her to go, but I nod. “I get it. Gramps is the same way when my parents are gone.”
She sighs. “At least they still check in. Mine are off somewhere in Europe, pretending they don’t have responsibilities.”
I frown. “Do you talk to them much?”
“My mom called a couple of months ago and asked about Pops like he was an afterthought.” She shrugs, but I sense the hurt underneath her outward display of indifference.
I reach out, brushing my thumb along her wrist. “They don’t know what they’re missing. And you and Pops are fine without them.”
Her smile wobbles, but it’s real. “Thanks.”
We stand there a moment longer before she goes to my room to change and grab her bag.
“I’ll stop by the shop tomorrow,” I tell her. “I need some gingerbread coffee anyway.”
She sets the bag on the floor and steps closer. “Maybe you should broaden your horizons and try an eggnog latte.”
I shake my head. “That’s not happening.”
She laughs. “Gingerbread it is.”
I lean in and kiss her, meaning for it to be quick. It isn’t. The second she responds, there’s a slow, steady pull I can’t fight. My hand slides up to cradle under her jaw, and she makes a soft sound that goes straight to my heart.
Pulling back from the kiss, I watch her eyes flutter open. I could get used to this—seeing her in my home, kissing her whenever I want.
“I should really go,” she says, making no move to leave.
“Five more minutes?” I ask, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
She bites her lip, considering it. “Pops will be wondering where I am.”
“Tell him you got caught in a snowstorm.” I nod toward the window where fat flakes are starting to drift down.
Her eyes flash wider. “It’s snowing? I didn’t even notice.”
“That’s the effect my kisses have on women.”
She smacks my chest playfully. “You’re ridiculous.”
