AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 7
- HARRIS -
I feel just this side of lazy as I pull out of Mrs.Marshall’s garage only to drive to the neighbor’s driveway to pick her up.But the temperature dropped after the sun set, and I can’t imagine Ava would appreciate any extra walking in this cold.
For me?I love it.
I love the feel of the winter’s breeze chilling my face as it blows off the Severn River.Most people like warmer weather, I know.But I prefer the kind of weather that reminds me I’m alive.
I can’t help hoping she feels the same way and might enjoy a little walking tour after dinner.It’ll be the first time I’ve really taken the time to see this town during Christmas since the years I was teaching here.
I pull into her driveway and feel a strange bundle of nerves in my gut.I have no idea why.This is a date like any other, even if I’m not quite sure whether the attraction I feel is one-sided.
But she’s also my neighbor.
And she’s a mom.So that pushes this into uncharted territory for me.
I’ve actually never dated a mom before, and I’m kind wishing I knew whether they played by the same rules as their childless equivalents.
I fill my lungs with the scent of fresh pine as I knock on her door—the same aroma that’s filling my apartment right now, thanks to Ava.She’s got her door draped in a fresh garland with a wreath to match it.
It makes me want to dress up my own door the same way.I see her tree lit up in the window, and I’m hoping she’s got some extra lights that I can borrow along with the ornaments.
I should have decorated my place a long time ago.Her son was right.You just can’t go without a tree.
When she swings open the door with one hand, her other one is holding a large box that is balanced on her hip.I see it start to topple.
“Whoa…” I say, stooping to grab it, a move that brings my face way too close to hers.Her hair smells like gingerbread—or maybe it’s her skin.I can’t tell.But I like it.
I take the box from her.“I take it these are the ornaments?”
“Yeah.I put a couple strings of lights in there too.”
It’s like she read my mind.“Thanks.”
Her eyes immediately drag over to my car in her driveway.She looks confused.“Oh, are you on your way out?”
NowI’mconfused.“Well, yeah.I thought we’d go get dinner.”Did she not hear me the first time I offered?
She looks flabbergasted.“Oh.Likeoutout?”
Suppressing a smile, I tilt my head.“Yeah, they’ve got these places called restaurants.They make you food and bring it to your table,” I joke, adding a laugh since she might not have picked up on my sense of humor in the short time I’ve known her.
“Oh.I, uh, I just figured… you were… forget it.”She looks down at herself.“I should have changed.”
“Why?You look great,” I assure her.And she does look great.She’s got on a simple sweater, but the bright red seems festive somehow.Her jeans hug her hips perfectly.
She’s got a killer body for a mom.
Hell, she’s got a killer body foranywoman.
“I, uh, better turn off the tree lights.”She looks completely flustered.
My brow furrows at her hesitation.“Hey, if you wanted to just eat in, I can order Chinese or something.I just figured it might be nice to take in all the lights downtown.”
She grabs her coat out of the closet and wraps a scarf loosely around her neck.I can’t help noticing how it brings out the blue in her eyes as her gaze meets mine.
“That sounds—lovely,” she breathes out.
