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His hands fell from her face. “You’re right.”
She had to be practical. She didn’t want to hurt him. Her six-week rule set off an alarm inside her head. She wouldn’t make it with him, but what if she did?
Allen sighed. “Can I tell you what’s worse for me?”
She sniffled. “What?”
“I can’t stand the thought of not being with you.” He clasped her hands. “I know what you’re feeling. I’ve failed at this too, but I’m willing to jump again because you’re worth it to me.”
She touched his face, only to have him kiss her palm. “Allen I…”
“Hurting you would only hurt me. I’ll never sabotage what we have. You mean that much to me.”
Heather released a shaky breath. This was the moment. She couldn’t stand the thought of life without him either.
“Heather?” His eyes were hopeful.
She cupped his face this time. “I love you.” She bobbed her head. “You’re worth it to me too.”
He kissed her only to take her breath away. She turned her head to give him better access, and Allen ran his fingers through her curls. He loved her. He wanted her. She clung to him tighter, only to hear him chuckle.
“What?” she asked, spotting the silly grin on his face.
“Is this your song?”
Heather tuned in closer to hear “The Christmas Song” playing in the background. “Yeah, why?”
“Dance with me,” he said.
“Allen, you don’t dance in public.” She pointed to her braced knee. “Unless you want me to relapse, I can’t dance.”
“I think we can find a way.” He rose to his feet and extended his hand.
A grin built on Heather’s lips, but she took it. He laced his fingers with hers. Once they were clear of the Twinkle Tunnel, he stared around them.
“What?” Heather asked.
“I want to make sure we have room,” he said.
“For what?”
He scooped her in his arms.
Her eyes bugged. “Are you crazy?”
He didn’t put her down, only moved to the music with her in his arms. “Not one bit.”
Heather’s smile grew wider. Was that possible? “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say nothing.” He moved her around the corner of the room. Heather wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him. She might as well floated on air.
***
He had to be crazy. The words left his mouth, and he wouldn’t let her down. Holding her again was the best feeling in the world. The woman with a dislike for cookie dough ice cream broke through the walls of his heart.
Damaged goods, he was not. He could be happy again, and the way his chest swelled at the thought of spending his life with Heather, it invigorated him. Her fingers grazed the back of his neck. The stringed lights above them glowed. The Christmas tree stood tall with decorative presents underneath. The best present he ever received this year was Heather.
“Allen?” she said.
