Next year? Will I be back in town next year? Is she suggesting that or is it simply wishful thinking on my part?
“I don’t know, Josie.” I make a tsking sound. “I think gingerbread is tempting no matter a dog’s age, or a guy’s age. I’m twenty-eight, and I can’t be trusted around them.”
“You are kind of like a big kid.” She chuckles quietly. “I like that, though.”
My phone pings, and I pull it from my back pocket. I read the message from Declan. I lift my head to find Josie still staring at me. “Do you have skates?” I ask.
“I do. Why?”
“Because I thought we’d go downhill skiing.” She frowns. “I’m joking.” I hold my hand up before she can say anything. “Smart ass, I know. Let me try again. Want to go skating? Declan and Nikki are heading to the outside rink, wherever that is, after lunch.” She hesitates, and when my heart sinks, it becomes abundantly clear that I hate the idea of not spending every waking moment with her—as well as sleeping, but that’s a different story. “You must have to work?”
“I can take today off. The store is open because it’s the holidays, but I have part time staff.”
“You just don’t like skating?”
“I just haven’t done it in a while.”
“We don’t have to. I’ll tell Declan we’re busy.”
“No,” she says quickly. “First, I’m not keeping you from your friend, and second, I think it sounds like a fun idea, and it’s been a long time since I’ve done fun things.”
“Sweet,” I say, and she stands there and grins at me as I text Declan back. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re just so full of energy, and you take pleasure in everything. It’s like the world is just a big playground to you.”
I tuck my phone away. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Not at all, Brody. I like it a lot, and to be honest…” She looks down for a second, a wave of sadness overcoming her. “It’s just…everything about you is a reminder that life is meant to be lived.”
Now it’s my turn to frown, not really understanding what life events took her to a place where she felt she wasn’t living. I hate that. I hate that she feels life is passing her by. I’m about to pull her into my arms and offer comfort, when she turns from me.
“I’ll make us some breakfast.” I shut my mouth as she purposely switches subjects. She doesn’t want to talk about her life, and that’s fine. I won’t push, but I damn well plan to make every moment with her count, and bring a smile to her face every day while I’m here. If past events have been holding her back, I plan to help her move forward.
“How about we go out? We can grab some bagel sandwiches at Coffee Klatch.”
“That sounds nice, actually.” She runs her fingers through her hair. “Wait, how do you know bagel sandwiches are my favorite?”
“I have my ways,” I tease. I honestly had no idea. I suggested them because they’re my favorite.
She angles her head and eyes me. “Who have you been talking to?”
I laugh. “No one. Honest.”
“Hmmm…” She laughs, but there is doubt in her eyes. “I’ll let it go for now.” She glances at her pajamas. “Just let me get cleaned up. I’ll be super-fast.”
I stare after her as she heads down the hall, and after a fast shower, and a quick blow-dry she reappears dressed in jeans and a loose-fitting sweater. Her face, free of makeup, looks freshly scrubbed and her hair is loose and still a bit damp around her shoulders, giving her a sexy, just crawled out of bed look. I like it. A lot. I just wish I was the one crawling out of bed with her.
“That was fast,” I say.
“I’m very low maintenance.”
She winks at me and goes about filling Mabel’s bowls with water and food. I laugh at that. Most girls I hang out with wouldn’t be caught dead without makeup. Which is ridiculous. It’s not the makeup that makes a person attractive, just like it shouldn’t be the jersey I wear that appeals to women. Josie doesn’t seem like the type to want a guy because he wears an NHL jersey.
“Do you watch hockey?” I ask, the question jumping out of my mouth.
“I used to. I don’t anymore. I enjoyed watching Declan because he’s from Holiday Peak.”
She puts her jacket on and tugs on a hat. “Josie, can I ask you something?”