AllFreeNovel
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My heart feels like it drops from my chest when he asks that. There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to leave, even though there’s a part that can’t wait to flee. I don't know this man. I was duped into being here with him. I can’t spend my holiday with him, and I shouldn’t want to.
He doesn’t want me here. He wasn’t the one who sought me out. He doesn't want company. It's not fair to ask him if I can stay, even though I’m not even sure if that’s what I want.
Clearly, I’m confused. The blizzard is getting to my head.
I lift a shoulder. “I guess I'll go home.”
He dips his chin, thinking. “Where's home?”
“Yuma.”
His brows come together. “Where's that?”
“In Arizona.”
“You're from Arizona?” He sounds surprised. “And you came to Colorado for Christmas?” There’s laughter in his dark eyes. “How are you liking the snow?”
I laugh. “The snow is cold, but it's pretty. I think it might be even prettier if I could see past the blowing of it.”
He nods, agreeing with me silently.
I gesture to his windows. “I imagine you have a beautiful view. Lucy talked about it, actually. I imagine she was talking about your view, not hers.”
His eyes come to my face again, and again, I feel hot. “Her view isn't bad, although it's in town.”
My head tips to the side. “You don’t like town?”
“I prefer the mountain.”
“Why?”
“I like the quiet. I like peace.”
Of course, he likes peace and quiet. And here I am, a chatty Kathy in his kitchen he did not ask for. I take the hint and quiet as we finish our sandwiches. I don’t know what Lucy was thinking when she decided to package me up and deliver me to this man. I’m no Christmas gift. If anything, I’m a pain in his ass and a thorn in his side. Poor guy.
Not wanting to be more of a pain in his ass, and wanting to do my share while I’m here, I reach for his plate when I round the counter with mine. I find his dishwasher and place both inside as he watches me.
I think he's curious about me. I think he wants to ask me things like I want to ask him, but this feels weird. Wrong, almost. Definitely awkward. There's no handbook for how to play this situation.
There's no advice here.
We've been set up.
His deep rumble moves through me when I turn back to face him. “You got someone waiting for you at home?”
I snort, and then I blush. “Define someone.”
His eyes search mine. “Anyone. Is anyone waiting for you?”
“I have Katie.”
“Who is Katie?”
“My friend,” I explain softly. “My best friend since pretty much forever.”
“Is Katie it?”
My voice is small when I nod, wringing my hands. “Yep.”
