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“We don’t need to pretend anymore. You’re off the hook.”
Was she kidding? “Lacey, you know that’s not the only reason I like hanging out with you. And I don’t want to be off any hook.” Why was he still so set on proving to her that they should give a relationship a try? It was frustrating, but he was determined to prove it to her. “Ready to head inside?”
Lacey nodded. “Yes.”
Hand in hand they walked into the resort, stopping to listen to a quartet playing soft Caribbean music on acoustic guitars. Drew spun her under his arm and in the middle of the lobby began to dance with her. Their bodies swayed to the sweet melody coming from the small band. Other vacationers began to watch them, but in that moment itwas just the two of them.
Drew’s left hand flexed around her right one, and with his other hand against her lower back, he pulled her in until there wasn’t a space for the warm air to pass between them. Lacey looked up at him, and he had zero doubt how he felt about her. Drew brought his lips to her ear and whispered, “I’m falling for you, Lacey.”
The truth was, he had already fallen, but he wasn’t sure she was ready to hear that.
She kissed his cheek, and when she pulled away, she whispered, “You’re an amazing man, Drew.”
Chapter 12
The ballroom had been transformed into a winter wonderland. Glittery white snowflakes hung from the ceiling, ice sculptures in the form of holiday characters adorned the corners, and the waitstaff were dressed as Santa’s elves.
A woman in a Mrs. Claus costume played Christmas carols on a pristine grand piano in the center of the room. Tables covered in red and white linens took up the remainder of the space, while a twenty-foot Christmas tree, covered with thousands of sparkling lights, dominated a corner of the room. About fifty kids from the orphanage stood staring in awe.
“Wow, this is incredible.” Lacey’s eyes widened like saucers, taking in the decor before her focus went to the children. “There are so many of them. And they don’t look like they’re having much fun.”
Drew nodded, thinking the same thing. Year after year he wished the number of kids would decline, but instead it seemed to grow. Lacey released his hand and made her way toward the group.
She leaned down and spoke to two little boys who looked to be about five or six years old. They looked at her and nodded at whatever she said. It didn’t take long for the rest of the children to gravitate toward her. Ethan walked up to Drew and bumped shoulders with him, nodding toward Lacey.
“Your lady seems to have taken a liking to the kids.”
He was right. The way she tried to get them to engage made his heart swell. A little girl who looked younger than the rest stood off by herself. Her head was tilted down, making her two curly pigtails hang by her ears. Lacey spotted her as well and walked toward her. She crouched in front of the small girl and placed a hand on her arm. When the little girl looked up, Lacey said something with a smile, and the girl smiled back shyly.
Before Drew could join Lacey, she took the little girl by the hand, walked toward the piano, and whispered something to Mrs. Claus;the older woman nodded in response. Before he knew it, Lacey began to sing. As soon as the first line of “Frosty the Snowman” filled the ballroom, the children broke into smiles. And the little girl was now wrapped in Lacey’s arms and perched on her hip.
“She sings?” Ethan asked.
Drew smiled. “Sounds that way. And she’s good too.”
“Good? She’s great.”
The two men made their way toward the kids and joined in on the sing-along. Lacey winked at them before starting the next song. She waved to the kids, drawing them closer to the piano and encouraging them to sing with her. When Drew looked around the room, the children weren’t the only ones enjoying the music. And it wasn’t long until everyone in the room joined in.
What had he done in his lifetime to deserve this moment? None of the women in his past had sparked such a fire within him. Was it because, until a few days ago, his heart had known he hadn’t yet met its soul mate?
The singing came to an end and the kids settled in for dinner. All the while, the wordfaterattled around in his head. Lacey didn’t believe it, but the fact that Drew was in the right place at the right time… well, that was all the proof he needed.
Before he knew it, dinner was over, and a resounding “HO HO HO” bellowed from a newly arrived Santa. His elves wheeled in gifts on red wagons.
Lacey laughed and pointed at Santa. “Is that Ethan?”
“It is.” Drew watched his friend rub his pillow-covered stomach and every once in a while fix his beard. “His father was going to do it, but he was under the weather tonight.”
Each child was called forward and handed a gift. There was nothing like seeing the joy on a child’s face. Especially those who didn’t have much. Drew knew some of the kids didn’t even have their own bed. Some slept on cots; others shared a bed.
The little girl, who they learned was named Amelia, never left Lacey’s side. When Amelia was handed her gift, rather than the “elves” or any of the workers from the orphanage helping her, shewanted Lacey.
Drew watched the two of them interact, and when Lacey pointed toward him and whispered something in Amelia’s ear, a sweet giggle flew from her mouth. Unable to hold back, Drew sat cross-legged on the floor in front of them.
“Can I join you two pretty ladies?” Amelia nodded before Lacey could answer, but the smile on her face was answer enough. He held his hand out. “Hi, Amelia, I’m Drew.”
Her hand looked even smaller when she reached out to shake his. “Hi. Are you Mr. Lacey?”
