Page 48 of A Second Chance Christmas Kiss

I laughed and propped myself up on one elbow, staying in bed.

“Are you …” She pointed to me and rubbed a hand over her eyes. “Here? In my bed?” I could tell she was processing last night, and I couldn’t blame her. It had been a long night for her.

I nodded, enjoying her little moment of panic. “We talked for a long time and …”

Understanding dawned on her face. “You came to me. I was so upset, and you came to me.” Slowly, she got back on the bed and scooted to me, framing my face with her hands.

I closed my eyes, relishing her touch.

“My knight in shining armor. I was so upset, and you came.”

I opened my eyes and peered into her brilliant green ones. I touched her blonde hair. “Of course I came. You needed me.”

She sucked in a breath. “I don’t want to need you, but I think you might be right. Maybe I do.”

Before I could stop myself, I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers. “It’s okay to need me. I think I’ve always needed you.” My voice broke, and it surprised me.

She pulled back, and her eyelashes fluttered. A smile lit up her face.

“How can things be so different and then stay the same, especially after all this time?”

She laughed and shook her head. “I don’t know.”

For what seemed like a long time, we just stared into each other’s eyes. I had always loved her. I’d never stopped. Now I was falling in love all over again, and it felt amazing.

Suddenly, she jerked to a sitting position. “It’s Christmas Eve, and I’ve got to get showered and help people today.”

I stood and helped her make her bed. “I’ll go check in with Grandmother, and then I’ll come back and help you.”

She ran her hand over her hair and turned to look in a little mirror above her dresser. “I look awful.” She turned back to me with an accusatory expression. “How could you even look at me?”

I laughed and pulled her into my arms. “You look beautiful,” I said, brushing a hand through her hair. “You’ve always been beautiful, Mel. I always want to look at you.” I leaned in and kissed her lightly. “But you’ve got to take care of the store, and I’ll be back later.”

“Okay. See you later.”

“Yes, you will.” I made my way to the bottom of the stairs, but there was so much excitement pulsing through me that I ran back up and kissed her again.

She giggled and pulled back. “You’re crazy.”

“I think I’m crazy in love with you.” The words spilled out, and there was no taking them back.

For a moment, she didn’t say anything, and then she shook her head. “I can’t process that yet. Don’t make me do that.”

Crap. I’d messed up. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

She rapidly blinked. “It’s okay. I mean, it’s obvious that we have a lot of feelings and years between us. I just don’t know what I’m doing. I feel overwhelmed and happy, but I don’t know what all of it means, okay?”

I hugged her. “Okay. I’ll let you go.” I didn’t want to let her go, now or ever, but I made myself step back. “See you later.”

“See you later.”

I dashed down the stairs and hoped I hadn’t messed everything up. I jumped into my truck and took off, feeling like this might be the best Christmas ever.

When I arrived back at the King estate, Henry told me to please go to my grandmother’s room.

Feeling like a kid, I knocked, and Hazel opened the door. My grandmother was waiting on the little loveseat couch in front of the television. There was a soap opera on, which made me smile. My grandmother would always watchThe Young and the Restless.

“Are you sure you can miss this episode?” I teased.

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