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We stepped off the boardwalk and off to the right was a magnificent sight. A tall, two-story stone building built into the mountainside with more string lights than I could easily count dangled over the patio area. If I stretched out my ears hard enough, a faint melody danced across the cool mountain air. Even more, as I stared and took it all in, the fluffiest of snowflakes fluttered around, wrapping us in what would be described as a Hallmark moment.
It was stunning and magical. Still attached to Carter’s hand, I turned around to take in the valley below with its sparkling lights and muted roadways, gasping at the beauty beneath my feet. It marvellously held my breath.
A whisper felt too harsh, but that was the only level my voice croaked out. “Oh my, wow. I love string lights. And the snowflakes. And the magnificent view. Wow. It’s beyond perfect.”
Wrapped in the moment, and without any hesitation on my part, I spun into the one who brought me here and planted a kiss on his lips.
Chapter Seven
Carter pulled back from the quick, yet exhilarating kiss, and for a breathless moment, I watched as the falling snowflakes got caught in his long, dark eyelashes and then dissolved. He stared wordlessly, his gaze jumping from my left eye to my right as his head tipped curiously. In a heartbeat, he wiped the melted puddles from the apples of my cheeks with his gloved hand.
As tender as he was, his face spoke volumes; the expressions swirled like a hurricane. From amusement, to hurt, to pity, and stirring back to plain old curiosity. I’d overstepped, big time, and I needed to back peddle and mighty fast.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” I said abruptly and stepped back, stomping down whatever indecisive idea caused me to react the way I did. Being impulsive never worked to my advantage – not with work, not in life, and most certainly not with Carter Cross.
Head shaking, I repeated my apologies breaking our connection and walking over to the main entrance of the restaurant and slinking inside.
“For two please,” I said before Carter could speak. After all those stairs, I was hungry and we were going to eat, even if an elephant was going to join us. “And upstairs if there’s anything available.”
“Of course, this way.”
After a quick glance back to Carter, who still hadn’t uttered a sound and remained stoic in stance and expression, I followed the hostess up a long flight of stairs and over to a table next to the window. She’d blessed us with a spot overlooking the fading lights in the valley.
“It’s perfect, thank you.”
As she grabbed a pitcher of ice water and two glasses, I shucked out of my coat and draped it over the third chair before I took my seat, which wasn’t as comfortable as I’d expected when looking from the outside in, but it would suffice. I’d half expected wingback chairs and elegant tablecloths versus the wooden chairs with red padded seats and paper placemats to decorate our space. Looks were deceiving.
Carter removed his winter gear and slid into a spot across from me.
“It was really beautiful outside with the stone masonry and all that.” I looked everywhere but at him.
The sudden wave of awkwardness pressed on me like a thousand-pound weight, and I was going to crack soon if I couldn’t change it.
“They really could use an update in the interior though. Although…” Glancing around, I shrugged – if they were going for an aged appearance, they’d hit the nail on the head. It was a blast out of 1970’s décor, aside from the paper placements. “Maybe that’s the look they were going for.”
The air was cool, and my mouth was drier than the desert, so I took a hearty gulp of the ice water from the amber-coloured tumbler on my right.
After clearing his throat, Carter finally spoke. “About what happened outside.”
The elephant pulled up a chair and got comfortable.
I put my hand up to stop him. “I’m so sorry. I’m going through a lot of issues in my life, and for a moment, it all culminated in one brief second and I was overcome with emotion. And the fact that it was you I was sharing it with.”
But I couldn’t promise him it wouldn’t happen again, because I wanted it to, but next time, I wanted to feel him kissing me with passion, not returning the kiss like an afterthought before he broke us apart.
In the center of the table, there was a battery-operated candle lacking sparkle and sizzle but for some reason, it captured and held my focus. I dared it to roar to life, but it had to have been soaking up the tension around the table. It flickered, shone a quick burst of bright light, and then faded out of existence.
“I’m sorry too.”
My shoulders fell and my heart plummeted into my stomach with a sour splash.
“It’s not that I don’t want to, because man-oh-man, I’ve waited a long time to…” His voice fell, and I met his gaze. “To kiss you again.” He unclasped his cool hands and covered mine. “But I think it’s not the right time. For anything serious.”
A light scoffing sound breezed out of me as I leaned back, taking my hands with me and undecided about where they needed to go, I dropped them into my lap. “Because I’ve just gotten out of a relationship?”
“Not at all. Because of me.”
I nodded and crossed my legs, folding my arms over my chest. “Ah, the whole it’s-not-you-it’s-me syndrome. Got it.”
