Page 14 of My Secret Santa Mason

“I’m sure you’ve seen what Cami’s done around town,” Rae chimed in, ever the proud friend. “She’s really brought the Christmas spirit alive, don’t you think? You should check out the displays.”

“It’s not my thing,” I said.

“Oh, come on, don’t be a bear,” Rae said. “It’s not that hard to just swing by the town square, see what she did, and then be done with it, you know.”

“You make it sound too scenic,” Cami said with a giggle that sounded like wind chimes on a summer’s morning. She smiled at me and talked more, but I could barely focus on what she was saying.

My mind was too busy going haywire just from standing this close to her. She smelled like vanilla and something sweet, like a damn cookie, and it was driving me insane. I wanted to taste her. Just a little lick, a nibble…

She asked me something but fucked if I knew what it was—I was too busy trying to keep my brain from short-circuiting.

“Mason?” Cami asked again, and it snapped me back. She was looking at me with that curious, bright gaze, and I felt like an idiot, fumbling over my words. Her lips were parted slightly, and I knew exactly what I would do with a mouth like that.

“Uh, yeah. It looks good,” I said, barely coherent.

Jesus Christ, get it together.

I was Mason Thompson, not some lovesick civilian who couldn’t form a sentence around a pretty girl. But every time shelooked at me, that electricity returned and threatened to fry my brain.

Not that I could sound any dumber than I already did.

Rae chuckled, amused by my inability to speak. “We’re heading over to the café to grab some hot cocoa. Want to join?”

There was no way I could sit across from Cami and not make a complete and total fool of myself. Or… jump her bones. I had to get out of this situation and away fromher. She was my kryptonite.

And yes, that did imply I was Superman, thank you very much.

Before I could even think of an excuse, Cami glanced at her watch and shook her head. “Actually, I need to get going. I’ve got to finish up some decorations at the library. I promised Emily.”

“Pity,” Rae said, but she hugged her friend. “But that’s totally cool. You go do your magic, and we’ll catch up later.”

Cami nodded before she looked at me.

“Take care, Mason,” she said with a small wave.

Thank God.

I nodded, trying to look unfazed, but the second she turned to leave, I felt the weight lift off my chest and I let out a heavy breath.

“So, that was a disaster, eh?” Rae asked, but her eyes twinkled.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I glanced in the direction Cami had walked, watching her turn a corner and finally disappear.

Rae chuckled, knowing it was a lie. Rae knew me well enough by now, thanks to Tanner.

Cami was messing with my head, and I didn’t like it. Not one bit. Watching her walk away was like watching something beautiful slip through my fingers. I wanted to reach out, but I knew better. She was trouble I couldn’t afford.

“I’m headed back home then if no one wants hot cocoa. I can’t even fall back on pregnancy cravings.” She pulled a face.

“Let me walk you,” I offered.

“Don’t you have shopping to do?”

I shrugged. “I think I’ve braved enough shops today. I’ll try again tomorrow. I still have time.”

Rae nodded, and we headed back to her place, the familiar warmth of her home wrapping around me the second we walked in. Tanner had built this place for her with the help of the townspeople when he’d realized he wanted a family with her. Their home was the kind of place that was built out of love. The walls and floors were a formality.

The house was a cozy mess of kid toys, warm blankets, and the faint smell of cinnamon from whatever Rae had been baking. It was a home in every sense of the word, full of love and noise—nothing like my cold, quiet cabin up in the mountains.

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