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He nodded with a mischievous smile. “It kind of is.”
I focused on my salad and tried to push away the feelings floating over me. The pull to him was hard to ignore, but I didn’t understand the root of it all.
Was it the holidays?
The kissable lips?
The Sunshine Breakfast Club?
I blew out a gust of air, and he chuckled. “A lot on your mind?”
“You could say that.”
“Anything you want to share with me?” he asked, turning on the stool and pushing his salad plate away.
“You know how you’re tired of being alone?” I asked softly.
He nodded, letting out a sigh. “Indeed, I do.”
“I think I have a similar problem.”
Hunter’s brows furrowed, which only made him look sexier. “I thought you didn’t do relationships.”
“I don’t, but I hate being alone. I think that’s why I joined the Sunshine Breakfast Club, helped out my great-uncle, volunteered at the animal rescue, and worked extra shifts. The only time I like being by myself is when I have a good book, and that’s only because even then, I’m not alone.”
My words hung in the air as the Christmas music lingered around us.
Hunter reached for my hand and linked his fingers with mine. The sensations rolling through me warmed my body as I brought my gaze to his.
“Why do you think that is, Daisy?”
I let out a slow breath. “Because I like being happy. I pride myself on being the cheery one.”
“You are that in every sense of the word.” He nodded in agreement.
“But when I’m by myself, I’m not happy at all. In fact, I’m sad.”
Concern spread through Hunter’s gaze as he pulled my hand to his lap. He didn’t say a word. He waited for me to continue.
I drew a deep breath and nodded as the uncertainty vanished. “When you came over to help me decorate the tree, it was the biggest relief.”
“Really?”
I nodded. “It’s usually a sad time for me, and I thought it was always going to be like that. I mean, it has been for years.”
“I had no idea, Daisy. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. Having you there this last time gave me hope.”
Hunter’s gaze stayed on mine, and it felt like the weight of the world was lifting. “How did I do that?”
“You showed me that new memories can coexist.”
“Daisy, what happened to make the holidays so sad?”
I pursed my lips and felt tears balancing on the brim of my lids as I tried to blink them away.
“My mom and brother were taken away from me in a car accident.” Saying the words aloud didn’t release the flood of tears I’d expected.
