Page 34 of Christmas in Paradise

“Okay. Got it. Anything else?”

Their answers are good, but I don’t know how picking up after myself or being on time would help me get over my fear of leaving a kid behind if anything happened to me.

Evie offers me some hope when she says, “You’re going to have to figure it out as you go, just like every other person who’s ever fallen in love. Learn how to anticipate her needs and Charly’s and you’ll be okay.”

She slips her arm through Adam’s and looks at him as she says it.

“I think I can do that.” I nod as Adam leads her out the door.

Carson follows, patting my shoulder on the way. “Good luck. Hope is amazing. If you’re going to go for her, be worthy of her.”

He’s followed by Britta and Stella who says, “I have faith in you, big brother.” Britta nods in agreement.

Then there’s only Bear left by my side. We walk out together, past Adam who holds the door open before locking it behind us.

We’re almost to my truck when Bear, who’s been quiet for a while, says, “I was going to keep Molly’s last pup, but I think you should take her. See if you can handle her for a few weeks. If not, I’ll take her back. Puppies aren’t kids, but they do require attention and consistency. It’s not a bad place to start.”

I shake my head, laughing off the idea, but Bear keeps talking.

“Plus, kids love puppies. Might be a way to get to know Charly.”

I drop my hand from the door handle and face him again. “Charly had a stuffed dog tonight. It looked well-loved.”

Bear’s eyebrows shoot up.

“I could just borrow it for a few weeks?” The more I toy with the idea, the more I think it’s not the worst one offered tonight.

“Yeah. Just know you’re in for a lot of work, so be prepared for it, but I’m here for you. I’ll help you.” Bear slaps my shoulder.

“Really?”

“Yeah.” He smiles. “I’m not going to let you ruin a dog I might take back.” He clicks his key fob and walks to his own truck. “Okay it with Aunt Gia first. I’m not getting on her bad side. I’ll bring her by tomorrow.”

“I’ll talk her into it.” I don’t know how, but I will.

I inhale deeply, then blow the air out of my cheeks and climb into my truck. This plan may be crazy, but it feels like a better one than any of the other ideas offered. I’ll still work on being on time and picking up my own stuff, but taking care of a puppy is something bigger. Harder.

And hopefully the first step to proving to Hope—and myself—that I can be what she needs me to be.

Wait. No…

I mean what sheand Charlyneed me to be.

Chapter 10

Hope

Seb doesn’t answer my text until the following morning. It’s three words:Friends it is.

If it’s possible to be both relieved and disappointed at the same time, that’s what I feel. The only possible relationship for us is friendship. So why do I wish he’d fought a little harder to not give up?

I have nearly a week to mull that over before I see him again. But one afternoon when I pick up Charly from Gia, Sebastian’s truck is parked in the driveway. I sit in my car for a few minutes, planning what to say when I see him.

We’re friends now, but how well do we really know each other? We didn’t spend a lot of time getting to know each other this summer. Getting to know each other’s lips, yes. Getting to know each other as buddies, not so much.

And now I have to act totally natural, like I’m not thinking about riding on the back of his bike that first day we met, my hands wrapped around his waist. Thinking about Sebastian’s abs, and how I could feel him under his thin t-shirt, can still make my skin hot on even the coldest day.

Not only that, but I have to pretend that a few days ago, Seb acted like he wanted to pick up right where we left off—or at least close to it. And I turned him down.

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