Page 109 of When in December

“We look all right?”

“Like a holiday card. You could use the photo for one if you’re late getting them out.”

I blinked a few times. “I appreciate that, but we … we aren’t together. This is his cabin.”

“Ah.” Jack paused. “Sorry ’bout that. My mistake. I’ll send it to you after I edit through the batch. Never know when you might make a memory you’ll want to remember.”

“Thank you again!”

The photographer left us both on the porch. Neither of us made a move to go inside. After a second, I turned toward the front door.

Aaron’s hand circled my wrist, gently guiding me back toward him. “Hold up. I’ve been thinking about this all morning.”

He tilted my head up to meet him, and his mouth sank into mine for a kiss, slow and heavy. It was just us in our hidden little winter oasis. We didn’t hasten to move as he peppered me with one or two more short pecks.

I could already feel the heat I’d come to know well over the past week brewing low in my stomach.

His lips hovered over mine as we broke apart.

He hummed, as if in thought.

I cleared my throat. “Your appointment went well?”

“It went as expected,” he said.

I stared at him, unsure of his diplomacy. It was unlike him, even though his body language remained loose.

“Are you sure there isn’t anything you want to talk about?—”

My phone rang, buzzing loudly from my back pocket. Michelle’s name lit up the screen.

“Excuse me.”

“I’ll be inside.”

I watched as he went, and I walked off the porch, crossing my arms as I realized how cold it was outside. Life was slowly leaking through the cracks of the home we’d built in the middle of nowhere with this project. And it was all rushing in too fast.

I pressed my phone to my ear. “Good morning, Michelle.”

“Good morning, Poppy. How are you?”

“I’m …” I looked over my shoulder at Aaron before taking a few more steps away. “I’m doing great. The photographer just left.”

Michelle gave a small squeal of delight over the phone. “Is it everything you hoped for? I hope you’re happy with the result of your hard work. I know you put a lot into this project. A lot more than anyone could’ve expected.”

“Yes, I’m … overjoyed with how everything turned out,” I said.

“Poppy, are you sure everything is all right?” Michelle’s voice held a tinge of concern. “You sound a bit off.”

I glanced back at the house, at the closed front door that separated me from Aaron. “It’s probably the connection out here. And I’m a little tired. It’s been a long week.”

“I understand. You’ve done a wonderful job, Poppy. Both with the house as well as with the Hayes-Preston family. Ms. Hayes-Preston already reached out to let me know impressed she as with your work and professionalism.”

Professionalism. I bit my lip as I swayed from foot to foot on the walkway.

“I can’t wait to see the final photos and show the world what we’ve accomplished here.”

“I’ll make sure everything is ready for the holiday,” I assured Michelle.

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