AllFreeNovel
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Once I’m inside, I smell peppermint clinging to the seats. He’s definitely the kind of guy that crunches on them. I spot the two cups in his holder and immediately reach out to take one.
“You found a place open today?” Sniffing the cup, I smell coffee. Taking a sip, I grimace. Black coffee is seriously theworst.
He watches me grab the other cup as I’m delightfully surprised that it’s hot chocolate. “Made it at home. Need to stay warm somehow.”
Now I’m imagining this man going out of his way to buy a box of hot chocolate just to have it sit in his cupboard until the day it expires. All so he can keep my stomach warm.
I seriously can’t hate this guy. Even when he makes my heart ache and my body sore from all these hopeful thoughts, I justcan’t.
When I apologize for drinking his, he brushes it off. Right, we’ve clearly done worse.
Once we’re pulling away from my apartment and onto the snowy road, I hold my breath as I watch him maneuver down an almost empty street. A few other cars are around as well, probably traveling to visit family.
“You didn’t have any big plans for today?” I ask as I move my attention to my knees. I try to recall any past conversations about parents or siblings and nothing comes up.
“No.” He shifts in his seat and taps the steering wheel with his thumb. “I’m not keeping you from yours, am I? You had presents under your tree.”
“Oh, no. I won’t be able to give those away until the weather is better. My brother lives a bit away, and I’m not trying to die.” Trying to joke, my laugh falls a bit flat. “I usually spend Christmas alone. Guess we’ve got something in common, Sanders.”
He grunts and my toes curl.
When I first thought up this delicious activity, I imagined Riley would be poking fun at my love for the lights or teasing me about the hat I’m wearing, the one with the puffball. But no, we’re sitting in silence.
Awkward freaking silence. At times like this, words tend to crawl up my throat so I don’t have to feel so uncomfortable.
“We can go back,” I offer up, “I’ve got some sliced turkey and ham sandwich meat. We can pretend to have a whole feast at my place. Or, I mean, I think there are some fast food joints that stay open during the holiday.”
I look his way and my heart lurches up to my throat. He’s frowning now, agitated. Okay, so he doesn’t want to share a meal with me either.
He’s mad because I dragged him out here, isn’t he? This was supposed to be a cute date idea. An introduction of something between us that could’ve been normalized. My plan is currently blowing back up in my face.
I never considered Riley not wanting to spend a holiday with me. Even after all those kisses and his confessions, I might have this whole thing backward.
“Or, we can just cancel this. I normally watch the parade on my TV and–”
“No.” His answer comes immediately as the steering wheel crinkles beneath his gloved fingers. “I want to look at the lights too.”
Geez. Does this man realize he has my chest in a tight grip?
Sliding more into my seat, I decide the best thing I can do to avoid saying anything else stupid is to simply keep my mouth closed. Thankfully, he’s not in much of a mood for a conversation either.
We go through the city before hitting the park planted right in the middle. By the time the car is slowing to a stop, I’m distracted. Leaning forward, I’m already growing excited.
I’ve wanted to come see these lights with someone for a long while now. Riley’s been the only one I’ve considered asking. Last year, I got cold feet. This year, a shift is in the air.
Not only did I get him to come, but I also spent a good thirty minutes kissing this man a few nights before.
So, why don’t I feel satisfied?
Riley takes his cup of coffee before leaving his car. I take my cup as well before joining him.
The air is cold alright. Each breath is blinding and even our cups are steaming a bit. My toes curl in my boots, looking far warmer than his shoes.
“If you get too cold, we can always go back,” I press, not wanting the guy to suffer on my behalf. Even if he claims he wants to see the lights, it doesn’t sit right with me.
“I’m fine,” he reassures as we continue our stroll. He sips at his drink, looking at our surroundings with a distant look.
This man is going to make me scream.
