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My favorite house in the development is one with giant wreaths with big red bows on each window, Santa’s sleigh in the yard, oversized Christmas ornaments in the trees, and garland on the wraparound front porch.
Once we’ve gone down the streets again, and both our mugs are empty, Brent drives back through town and toward the inn. I know it’s getting late, but I don’t want this night to end.
When we park back at the inn, we exit into the cold.
“Thank you so much for tonight, Brent,” I say. “This has been the best night.”
“I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Do you want to come in for a little bit or are you ready to call it a night? I can light a fire.”
I really am tired but this has been such a great night. Like a dream that has taken me back to my childhood. “I can come in,” I say, wrapping the blanket back around my shoulders.
We enter his house. Only the lights on the Christmas tree are on, and as we take off our coats, Brent moves to the fireplace and lights it. Immediately, the comforting smell of firewood fills the room. The warmth feels amazing after being in the cold.
His house is so inviting, and I find it easy to take off my shoes and get comfortable.
“Do you want anything to eat?” he asks.
“No, I’m good. The fire is perfect. I can’t believe how cold it is out there.” I wrap the blanket tighter around myself and rest my head on the back of the couch.
Brent rustles around in the kitchen, opening drawers, and it sounds like he’s looking for something.
“Do you need help in there?” I ask from the couch. My eyes are growing heavy, but I’m willing them to stay open.
“Nope,” he says over his shoulder as he takes tealight candles out of a drawer.
Returning to the living room, he sets the little white candles on every surface. There has to be at least twenty of them. Grabbing a lighter from the mantle, he stops at each candle and lights them.
In a matter of minutes, the entire room is filled with the flicker of candlelight, and shadows dance on the walls. When he’s done lighting the last one, he puts the lighter away in the kitchen. My eyes are barely staying open.
When he heads back into the room, he sits down on the couch next to me and wordlessly puts his arm around my shoulder. He pulls me close, and I rest my head on his chest. He slowly rubs circles on my arm, and I can’t fight sleep any longer.
I let my eyes stay shut, and I feel him lean down and kiss the top of my head.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Brent
Lightstreamsthroughthecurtains, bathing my eyelids in orange. It can’t be daytime already, can it? Damn, that’s bright.
Opening my eyes slowly, I let them adjust to the light of morning. I feel the weight of Penelope’s head on my arm. I glance down to see she’s still sound asleep.
She’s still wrapped in her blanket from last night, and she looks so cozy that I don’t want to wake her up. Slowly, I move my numb arm out from underneath her and stretch it out. I know she needs to wake up soon, before Nora gets home, but I’m not ready for her to leave the couch yet.
She stirs slightly, before nuzzling back into the blanket. I get up, use the bathroom, and go to the kitchen to make us coffee.
I’m moving slowly this morning, even though I barely drank last night. As soon as the coffee machine spits out the caffeine, I pour two cups and bring them over to the coffee table.
Sitting down next to her, I can’t stop myself from running my fingers down the side of her face.
She’s even more beautiful when she’s asleep.
Her eyes flutter open and a small smile creeps across her lips.
“Good morning, sunshine,” I whisper. “I made us coffee.”
“Oh, I’m so going to need that,” she says as she sits up. “I think my neck is going to hate me for the next few days.”
“Yep, my shoulder is not thrilled from having your head on it all night long. Not that I’m complaining,” I say, locking eyes with her. “You passed right out.”
