Page 68 of Christmas in Paradise

In a blink, Hope’s eyes shift from dark to twinkling. “Are you friend zoning me?”

She doesn’t look upset about it, and I pull her closer, because her teasing has always been an invitation. “I believe you already friend zoned me, so maybe think of this as a reminder. We’re just friends.”

“My friends don’t usually stand this close.” Hope raises an eyebrow, and I’m tempted to show her just how close I can get.

But Uncle Rad takes her challenge as a cue to walk between Hope and me, like she knows she’s doing both of us a favor. I take a step back and catch my breath.

“I’m definitely friend zoning you, friend.” My voice is not convincing, and the gaze she’s locked me in is more dangerous than friendly.

“Good. I like it here. It’s very cozy. Like a cup of hot chocolate.” With her eyes still glued to mine, she smiles in a way that takes my breath away again.

“Warm chocolate. Not hot. Just cozy.” I push back the desire threatening to escape.

“All done!” Mrs. C. calls at just the right time. “She’s ready to go.”

Hope and I break apart in time to see Mrs. C’s pointed look and raised eyebrow, but she doesn’t say anything about interrupting us again.

“Thank you so much,” Hope says hurriedly, taking her purse and Charly from Mrs. C. “I’d better get her to school.”

She glances quickly in my direction and waves, before heading to the door.

I watch her for a few seconds before coming to my senses.

“Wait!” I jog to catch up to her. “I’ll walk you to the car. Charly will want to say goodbye to Uncle Rad.”

The smile Hope sends me is more than friendly.

It’s grateful.

And enough to let me know I’m doing things right.

Chapter 22

Hope

I’ve barely dropped Charly off at Gia’s when I get my first text from Seb:

Hi friend. Good seeing you today.

I laugh and text back.

Nice seeing you too, friend. Have a great day.

Then I head into work and spend the next few hours working on details for the two nights of the live nativity and creche displays. A local church is hosting the event and taking on most of the work to put it together, but I’m doing the marketing for it as part of Yulefest and helping collect creches locals own from around the world.

Mrs. C. gave me names of locals who collect the little nativity scenes when they travel, and they’ve been generous about sharing.

In general, everyone in Paradise has been amazing. They’ve been welcoming and so loving with Charly. She’s already made friends at Gia’s preschool, and she’s made so much progress developmentally in the three weeks we’ve been here. The daily one-on-one therapy with Gia has worked miracles. And when Gia’s not doing therapy with her, she dotes on Charly like a grandmother.

Which, honestly, I can’t think too much about. The idea of Charly having two grandmas is appealing for a lot of reasons. The idea ofGiabeing one of those grandmas is also appealing for a lot of reasons, Seb being the biggest one.

But I refuse to get ahead of myself.

I can’t just follow my heart here. I have to use my head and take things slow. I want to build something that lasts. My conversation with Seb was unexpected, but so, so good, and I feel like we might be on a path that stretches further into the future than I’ve ever let myself imagine.

Now if my future with Pizzazz Paradise were a little more certain…

I love working for Carson, and I think he likes collaborating with me. But I still have so much to learn. And once things slow down after Yulefest and the wedding, he may not need me anymore.

---