Page 28 of Christmas in Paradise

It’s pretty much what we do all the time. But it does not work in my favor tonight. It’s one thing for Stella and me to have this banter back and forth, something else entirely to have Hope sizing me up based on Stella’s insults. The more bad habits of mine that Stella divulges to Hope, the less interested she might be in me.

Not that I want her to be. But just in case, I don’t want Stella to ruin any chance I may have.

Even though, with each passing second, I have to be honest with myself that I would like her to be interested. At the same time, I have to be honest that, in those same passing seconds, the idea becomes more and more of a fantasy.

There’s no spark in Hope’s eyes when she looks at me like there was this summer. Or even like there was when I first walked in the kitchen tonight. And she doesn’t grin at me like I’ve seen her do. She just studies me like she’s wondering what she ever saw in me.

She’s immune to my charms. I’ve never had that happen before. A wink and a smile is usually all it takes to get a woman interested in me. That’s about all it took this summer to get Hope’s attention.

Stella interrupts my thoughts and says, “Shouldn’t you be at the Garden? It’s almost seven.”

“Oh, yeah!” I jump out of my seat.

We’ve got a show tonight—in half an hour. The rest of the guys are probably freaking out I’m not there to set up and mingle with the crowd. Since September, Adam has been closing early on Saturdays so people who have tickets to our show can come hang out with us and eat beforehand.

It was my idea, and we’ve made good money doing it. But Adam only agreed to it if he could stay in the back cooking while I did all the socializing. Which is why Mom always feeds me before I go. I’m too busy talking to eat.

I’m definitely going to hear from Adam about being an hour late. And I still have to change out of my work clothes.

I run upstairs and quickly throw on black, ripped jeans, a black T, and my black leather jacket—I’m going for a theme here. Then I rush back to the kitchen carrying my bass and amp. I’m about to wave goodbye to Hope when I make an impulsive decision.

“Hey, do you want to come to my show tonight?” I ask her, despite knowing I shouldn’t start anything with her again. I should have known I’d crumble the minute I saw her. Hope is not someone you just decide not to be crazy about anymore.

She blinks, then glances at Charly. “I don’t think so, but thanks for the invite.”

“You sure? I’ve got an in with the band,” I joke, hoping it’ll cover how desperate I am for this night not to end. “I can get you in for free.” I throw in a wink, which always gets the girls. In fact, it’s worked on her before.

“What’s she supposed to do with Charly?” The eyeroll in Stella’s voice could out eye-roll Tony Stark, and I donotappreciate it.

Especially because she’s right.

“Bring her!” I say, like we get babies to our shows all the time.

Hope shakes her head. “She’d last five minutes before melting down.”

“Mamma can watch her, right Mamma?”

Mom opens her mouth, but Hope is faster. “It’s been a long couple days. I need to get her into her new routine. She’s not great with transitions, so I’m sure she’ll wake up tonight. I need to be there. But, um, thanks.”

She pushes herself up from the table and reaches for Charly. Mom’s still cleaning her up, but Charly climbs into Hope’s arms and lays her head on her shoulder.

“Maybe another time,” I say lamely.

“Maybe.” She offers me an unconvincing smile that’s gone too quickly. “Thank you so much for dinner, and for everything,” she gushes to my mom as she gathers Charly’s things, handing her a tattered stuffed dog, while Mom clears the table.

As they talk, Stella leans into me and mutters. “You don’t have a chance with her, unless you grow up real fast.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I whisper back, waiting for Hope to finish so I can walk her to her car.

“You don’t even know how to take care of yourself. Let alone a kid.” Stella waves to Charly while talking to me under her breath, then bumps my shoulder as she walks out of the room.

And I don’t know if I’m more irritated with Stella for being right or myself for falling right back in love with Hope.

Chapter 8

Hope

I’ve been searching for a way to apologize to Seb since he walked in the door. Actually, since I walked out the metaphorical door without a word to him. Or even before that when I kept Charly a secret from him.

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