“Hah. That’ll be the day. I’m a confirmed bachelor and loving it. You can keep all that.” He makes a circle with his finger. “Over there.”
“Oh no. I’m using my Christmas wish on you. Christmas spirit, if you’re listening, send Bryan his perfect match.”
“Why would you curse me like that primo?” Bryan says, making me laugh.
Mrs. Anna opens the door, and we finish the trays as I formulate a plan. I’ll make it so good, she won’t be able to think about returning to the way we used to be.
Twenty minutes later, we’re leaving the center hand in hand and waving to my folks.
“What are you doing?” She stops at the corner and looks to the left. “Home is that way.”
“I know. But we’re not headed home.”
“We aren’t?” Her eyes widen.
“No. I have other plans for you.”
Her eyes darken, and I look away before she can tempt me into taking her home and showing her physically what she does to me.
She clears her throat. “Where are we going?”
“That’s not how surprises work, Dec.”
“Not even a hint?” She prods me with her finger.
I laugh. “The town is tiny. You’ll see first-hand soon enough.” I click my tongue. “Always so impatient.”
“You already know this Emanuele.”
“Someone should teach you how to wait.” I lick my lips as images of her begging me to let her find her release dance in my head.
She purses her plump pout. “Please. I haven’t met a man capable of doing that yet.”
“Oh, I think you have.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “E?”
“Waiting can be fun too, when it’s something worthwhile.” I run my thumb over the top of her hand. “You haven’t met your match before now. For the right man, I think you could wait nicely.”
She swallows hard. “That’s an interesting theory.”
“Theories are meant to be tested.” I pull her closer and admire the bright red cape with white faux fur trim. As I finger the soft downy material, I brush her curves with my knuckles.
“Is that so?” she teases.
“That’s how we learn and grow. Sometimes we don’t realize things could be done differently. Better.” I place a hand on her hip.
“Those are deep thoughts,” she whispers breathlessly.
“The holidays bring them out in the best of us, don’t they?” A car drives by, highlighting the sign beside us.
“Oh, my God! You’re taking me to Ice Castle.” She turns to me as we pause at the end of the street. Her lips turn down at the corner. “You don’t like ice skating.”
“No, but you do.” I trail my finger down her face.
She throws her arms around my waist, hugging me close, and I smooth the wild curls back from her face. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you, Dec.” I kiss her temple. “I know it doesn’t feel like the Christmas season until you get out on the ice, and you’ve been so busy lately you haven’t yet.”