“I’m not seeing anyone else,” he told her firmly. “I’d like to be seeing you.”
Her mouth curved into a smile and color stained her cheeks. She looked at him as if he’d just defeated an entire galaxy of invaders.
“Really?”
He kissed her again. “Yes, really.”
“I’d like that, too,” she whispered.
His chest tightened a little. It had been a long time since having someone want to be with him had mattered. Since he’d cared this much. He liked knowing that part of his heart wasn’t completely dead.
“I brought you roses,” he said, motioning to the flowers. “I went traditional.”
She picked them up and breathed in the scent. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.” Her expression turned wistful. “I’d love to talk but I have to get these in water and I have a client.”
“I know. I’ll see you later?”
“Yes, please.”
He started for the door, then turned back. “We’re dating. Exclusively.”
The smile returned. “I got that.”
“I’m confirming. I don’t want some tourist coming in here and sweeping you off your feet.”
“I don’t get a lot single guys coming into the store.”
“That’s not the only reason I worry.”
She sighed. “You make it very hard to resist you.”
“Good.”
He walked out of Paper Moon. The sun was out, the snow a brilliant white. Everywhere he looked, there were Christmas decorations and happy people. Some called out greetings. He returned them with an easy smile. Today was going to be a great day.
* * *
Madeline raised her glass of iced tea. “We salute you,” she said with a laugh.
Noelle giggled as everyone toasted her victory in the annual holiday window display contest. “We really worked it,” she admitted. “Gabriel and I have been planning the windows since August. Josh gave me a run but we hung on.”
Every year the businesses in town competed for the best holiday decorations. Well, not all the businesses. Madeline and Isabel had discussed joining the competition, but then had agreed neither of them were all that interested. Noelle and Josh were locked in a fierce competition and getting between those two would require way too much effort.
Instead, Paper Moon went for quiet, seasonal lighting and a couple of glittery snowflakes. Their customers seemed happy, the season was celebrated and no one was caught in the competition crossfire.
Bailey put down her glass. “I had no idea you were so competitive. It doesn’t show at all.”
Noelle sighed. “I’m not usually. There’s just something about the window display contest that gets me going. Maybe because it’s only at Christmas and I have the Christmas store in town.”
Taryn looked at her. “I think you’re hiding a killer instinct. You need to channel it into something safe or we’ll all be in trouble.” She raised her eyebrows. “I know. Isabel is having triplets. You could compete with that.”
Noelle winced and held up both hands. “No, thank you. I surrender. Isabel wins. One at a time is plenty for me.”
Isabel touched her rapidly growing belly. “I’m not sure this is a victory so much as an endurance sport. I’m torn between counting the days until I’m no longer pregnant and terrified of what life is going to be like with triplets.”
Madeline knew that Isabel’s mother and mother-in-law would be there 24/7, if that was what she and her husband wanted, but she also understood her friend’s dilemma. Three babies at the same time? When was she supposed to sleep?
Shelby leaned close. “All this talk of babies is making me want to insist on bottled water. Something is going on with the birth rate in this town.”
Madeline chuckled. “You know it’s not in the water, right? I mean, do we have to have another talk about the birds and bees?”
“Very funny.” Shelby looked at Madeline’s phone. “Oh, look. You just got another text.”
Madeline felt herself blush. She’d left her phone on the table, but had turned off the sound. Silly, really, but Jonny texted her a dozen times a day. Fun little messages that he was thinking of her or telling her about how negotiations were going on the Dean Woodley project. It was day two of dating Jonny Blaze and she had to say that, so far, it was pretty terrific.
Last night they’d gone out to dinner and then he’d stayed at her place. It had been magical. Now she glanced around the table to see if anyone was paying attention.