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“Good.” Her hand slipped across the surface of the desk to rest on his. He grabbed it and pulled her closer to him. “That’s what I was hoping for.”
“I’ve been thinking about you all night.” He placed his hand on her cheek, relishing the soft skin under his own.
“Me, too.” Her eyelids fluttered as he placed a light kiss on her jawline.
“I don’t suppose we have time for a replay?”
She leaned back to get a look out the door. “All’s clear. I’m guessing we have about ten point three seconds before they show up.”
“I’ll take it.” He pulled her in closer and their lips met.
The same explosive feeling he’d had last night came to life deep inside his gut. He lost himself in it, pulling her onto his lap and allowing his hands to roam her back and sink into her hair. She smelled so good, like cinnamon sticks and cider. The small quick breaths she took as she returned his kisses made him want her even more. Ten seconds and more passed by as they lost themselves to each other.
“Um…Ahem? Don’t we have rules about this in the employee handbook?”
Lance and Gemma tore themselves apart to see Chloe standing in the doorway. She was grinning from ear to ear, her braids piled high on top of her head and Santa earrings swaying on each ear. Laurie came up behind her, a shy smile lighting up her face as well.
“I’m not sure,” Gemma said with an evil smile. “But I do remember something in there about me firing your butt if you interrupted again.”
Chloe held up her hands in surrender and slowly backed out the door. Gemma looked at Lance and burst out laughing, her cheeks bright red from either the kiss or the embarrassment of being caught.
“Be my date for the party tonight,” Lance said, bringing her fingers up to his mouth so he could kiss them one by one. “Let me take you. It’ll be our first date.”
What Gemma didn’t know was that it would be their only date. But he couldn’t think about that. All he wanted was one perfect day with her. One day he could treasure when he was back in Minneapolis, alone and devastated.
“Of course.” She kissed him lightly on the lips. “I’d love to. It’s going to be a New Hope Christmas Party to remember, that’s for sure.”
He had no doubt that she’d remember it forever, but not for the same reasons.
Chapter Ten
The community center looked ready to host a ball by the time the foundation members and their volunteers were nearing the end of the day. Glittering snowflakes hung from every inch of the rafters. Small round tables draped with linen tablecloths and chic glass sculptures dotted the room. They’d prepared a dance floor and an area for the band to set up. A bar with a few dozen bo
ttles of various amber shaded liquors stood on the opposite side. In all, it was a particularly beautiful setup that the girls were proud to say they’d designed.
They were placing the finishing touches on some rope light over the entryway when Gemma’s mom, Katherine, showed up. She greeted each girl with a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. Gemma was happy to feel the strength returning to her mother’s arms with every squeeze.
The only sign left of the cancer treatment was the short pixie hair style her mother sported. As long as Gemma could remember, her mother had always had hair down to the middle of her back. Long, beautiful, blonde hair that she learned to braid on as a child. The chemo had taken that from her, depositing her locks like feathers on her pillow each morning.
“You did a wonderful job!” Katherine exclaimed as she took in the scenery. “Absolutely stunning. It doesn’t even look like the same place.”
“Isn’t it?” Gemma hugged her mom and paused to take it all in herself. “We really outdid ourselves this year.”
“It’s going to be the best community party ever,” Katherine said with a curt nod. “This year feels different.”
Chloe and Laurie laughed, despite Gemma’s dirty look.
“It sure is, Ms. Rink,” Chloe said with a grin.
Katherine knitted her brow in confusion. “Am I missing something? What are you three girls up to now?”
“Nothing,” Gemma said too quickly. She sent another glare at her friends. “Absolutely nothing.”
They might have been her friends, but she could make their lives very miserable. No coffee runs. No holiday music in the office. And worst of all - no Christmas gifts.
“Gemma’s got a date to the party,” Laurie burst out. She shrugged at Gemma’s disapproval. “What? She’s going to find out eventually.”
Katherine turned to her daughter, concern making her brown eyes turn down. “But I thought you broke up with Scott. Don’t tell me the two of you are back together.”
