She leaned in. I know she did.
I’m going to ask her out. I just need to find my moment.
Chapter 12
Alex
How could you have Christmas without a Christmas tree?
~ Home Alone 2
Shannon’s homeis warm and slightly messy in a lived-in, well-loved way. We’re having a holiday cookie baking day. I’m the first one here. According to Shannon, Duke took his motorcycle out for a mid-morning ride down the roads on the outskirts of town.
“He was supposed to be back already,” Shannon says. “But he tends to lose himself in the feel of the road under his tires. He’ll be here any minute, nose red, eyes watering, and a big dopey smile on his handsome face.”
That familiar pang lodges in my chest. The one I’ve only felt since moving here, watching all these couples live life together—imperfect, simple life, but one that’s shared with someone who chooses you not just once, but every ordinary day.
“Riding a motorcycle in thirty-degree weather sounds like self-inflicted torture,” I say, shivering at the thought. “And I’ve lived through New York winters my whole life.”
“Duke loves his bike. But I’m with you. You won’t see me on a motorcycle after October. I’m a fair-weather rider.”
“Wise woman.” I try to picture Shannon on a motorcycle. She’s lithe and graceful, even when she walks through a room—the telltale posture of someone who has devoted her life to ballet.
I steal a glance at my cell. Again.
“You’ve checked your phone at least ten times since you got here,” Shannon says. She’s not annoyed. More like friendly and curious.
“I think you’re being gracious,” I tell Shannon. “It’s been at least twenty.”
She smiles. “Expecting a call?”
“Not exactly.”
Would I like a call? Yes. And I don’t want to talk about my crazy thoughts where Jesse is concerned. Shannon’s sweet, but we’re just getting to know one another.
Jesse’s obviously going about his day off without being plagued by thoughts of what nearly happened between us. Or, knowing him, he could be overthinking it on his end, but not letting me see how deeply he’s affected. Meanwhile, I’m so distracted I don’t even notice the door open when Rob and Laura enter.
I look up and almost blurt,When did you two get here?
“Hey, Alex,” Laura says, taking a seat on the couch next to me.
Rob says hi, sticking his hands in his pockets and looking around the living room. He asks Shannon, “Where are Duke and the kids?”
“Duke’s out riding. Sorry he’s a little late. You know how he gets when he’s on his bike. The kids are at my parents’. No way we could get a full day of baking done with them underfoot.”
Duke and the other guys are heading to Columbus around lunchtime to Christmas shop for their wives. It’s sweet, andforeign. I didn’t grow up around a group of guys who treated one another like extended family.
Rob chuckles. “Yeah. Having the kids here would have made things interesting.”
“How’s work?” Laura asks me.
I tell her a bit about work, neatly evading saying anything about Jesse specifically. She’s filling me in on her suspicions about Kate Shaller when the door opens again and Duke makes his entry, bringing a gust of cold rushing in with him. The man doesn’t know the meaning of the word subtle. He’s loud and funny and all heart. There’s a redness to his face, but he’s beaming like he just got off a roller coaster. Shannon walks over to him and they kiss.
“There’s hot coffee in the kitchen,” she tells him softly. “Go shower so you can get out of here.”
“So quick to get rid of me?” Duke jokes, wrapping his cold arm around Shannon and tugging her into his side.
She squeals. “You’re freezing!”
