Page 86 of When in December

It took the rest of the day before I could be somewhat content with the furniture. It was all in the house. At last. I couldn’t believe that I was so close to the end. But now, the sun was starting to set, and I had a feeling that I shouldn’t linger for another night.

Aaron hadn’t spoken to me beyond the normal pleasantries all day or when he occasionally helped me shift bigger items in each of the rooms to get them to the right spot. He didn’t bring up anything about last night, and I was starting to think that I had dreamed up the entire thing.

Clearing my throat, I moved toward the kitchen, where Aaron was unloading groceries.

Actual groceries. Beside the snacks and leftovers we accumulated from eating takeout, I had never seen him go to the store for real ingredients until now.

“Everything is good to go for now,” I said. He shut the freezer door at my words. “I guess I should head out for the night.”

“Yeah. You probably want to get back,” he said. He didn’t look at me.

“Okay. I’ll be back …” Tomorrow. I would be back tomorrow, just like I was every other day.

Again, he dipped his head. I repeated the motion.

It wasn’t until I put on my coat and was halfway out the door that Aaron’s eyes flared. It took until I got to my car for him to come the rest of the way after me. “Hey, wait up a second.”

I paused, halfway into the driver’s seat. His lips parted as if to say something, and I waited for some sort of explanation. Something.

He leaned into the side of my car as I looked up at him. If he kept leaning in, then he’d maybe kiss me again. We were at the perfect angle, and his lips fit so perfectly against mine?—

He tapped the edge of the door. “Call me. Let me know when you get home.”

I blinked, freezing in place at the gentle request. It still wasn’t what I had expected. “Oh, okay. Sure.”

With another nod, I shut the door. He took a step back. I twisted my key in the ignition and waited for the air to warm a step above a tundra.

We had spent the last two days together, but it almost felt like we were right back to where we’d been when I first came to the cabin weeks ago. Now, there was something between us.

A spark. A fizzle.

And it was being stomped out.

It was probably for the best. I mean, like I’d told Hannah, one word from him, and I would be out of here. The small chance I had at the promotion would be wiped away. I could probably even be fired. I was so stupid.

It was good he was acting like I was nothing to him, just like before.

It had to beprofessional.

Again.

My heart leaped into my chest at a small knock on my car window.

I rolled it down. “Aaron?”

“Snow Angel.”

He had to stop calling me that. When he did, it felt like a thousand butterflies started to flutter in the pit of my stomach.

“Hey. I, um …” He took a deep breath, though it didn’t seem to settle him in the slightest. “There’s a holiday party coming up. A friend is hosting it. I know you’re busy, but do you want to go to the party? Get into the spirit or whatever?”

“A friend?”

“The one who dropped off Oz.” He waited. For me. “Wanna go? Think of it as a … thank-you.” Even if he couldn’t saythank yououtright.

“Okay. Sure.”

“Good.” He swallowed as he turned back around and walked away from me again. “Good.”

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