Page 29 of Finally Moore

While I’ve regained some of my senses, clearly it’s not enough because just as I’m about to trace back up his arm, Scott’s emerald eyes open and lock on mine. We remain silent, staring at one another for a few seconds before his gaze drops to the arm he has wrapped around my waist and the leg he has flung over my thigh. He looks back at me and flashes a smile.

“My bad,” he says softly as he pulls himself into an upright position. “Sorry about that.” He scratches his head and looks around the room.

“It’s okay.” I shrug, slowly reaching out for the blanket to cover myself. “I didn’t mind,” I tell him, then quickly snap my mouth shut.What the hell is wrong with you?“I mean… there’s no harm in some innocent snuggling. It does get a little chilly in here.”

Scott chuckles. “Yeah, the wind was pretty intense last night. You should really put some plastic on the windows. You wouldn’t think it, but it’s great at keeping the cold out of the house.”

“Oh, yeah, I’ve been meaning to do something about it. I just always seem to forget to stop by the hardware store.” There’s an awkward silence as we both sit there, each waiting for the other to make a move to stand. “You can use the bathroom first if you want?”

Scott looks down at his lap. “Um… no, you go ahead.”

“Are you sure? I’ll be longer and—”

“No, you go,” he insists. “I need a minute to wake up.”

“Oh, okay.” Not wanting to make a big deal about it, I get up and rush out of bed.

As soon as I turn on the bathroom light, I regret it, but it’s a necessary evil if I want to navigate the room without bumping into anything. Once I finish taking care of business, I go to wash up in the sink and unfortunately catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. I didn’t wash my face as well as I thought I did last night.

Oh my god, no wonder Scott told me to go first.

I look like hell warmed over. Remnants of my mascara streak down my cheeks while my lips appear like something straight out of Rodeo Clown Chic Magazine. I rush to grab my makeup-removing wipes. My face is red by the time I’m done scrubbing myself clean. Hopefully my moisturizer will help even things out and cool me down so I don’t look like a cherry tomato.

I lift my arm and gag at the scent.God, I’m disgusting.

I grab my spray deodorant and coat myself with a heavy layer. I’d love to take a shower, but I’ll have to wait until Scott leaves. There might be a curtain, but it still feels like I’m bathing in the middle of my living room. Deodorized, hair and teeth brushed, and big comfy robe on, I finally exit the bathroom.

Scott is standing at the counter where my little coffee maker is running. “Sorry, I hope you don’t mind. I found some pods in the cupboard and thought you might want a cup.”

“I’ll never say no to coffee.” I grin lightheartedly as I take a seat at the tiny table barely suited for two. Scott brings over a mug and lowers himself onto the chair across from me. “None for you?” I ask him, noticing he’s empty-handed.

“Oh, I’ll just grab something at the shop.”

“Too good for my insta-pods?” I tease.

“What can I say?” He shrugs.

“It might not be as good as the stuff you have at the café but it does the trick.”

“No judgement, I promise.” He laughs. “So, what’s the plan for today?”

“Plan?”

“Yeah, yesterday, we were supposed to have a family dinner and it probably didn’t look good that your mom was the one who had to tell me.”

“I’m sorry about that…”

“No worries. It all worked out. But I’d like to make sure I’m here doing thefiancéthings and what not. I have Gia and Logan to help at the shop. Just tell me where and when you need me.”

“Well…” I pause to consider what I know my mom put on the itinerary. “Today we are supposed to go shopping around town, getting last-minute gifts. Then tomorrow, I’m going to have to do some serious prepping for a Christmas dinner I failed to properly plan out, before taking Brittany on a sleigh ride at the little Christmas Wonderland Eli set up at the orchard.”

“Why do you need to plan a dinner?”

“I don’t know. It’s always been our tradition. Some fancy dinner on Christmas Eve and then presents and a buffet-style breakfast Christmas morning.”

“No, I just mean we’re getting married… or, well, that’s what your family thinks. Right?”

“Yeah, I guess, technically. Why?”

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