Page 41 of Second Chance Christmas

From the middle of the table a pile of brochures lay stacked in the center with a large picture of evergreens spread across the bottom with a bold FOR SALE along the top.

“This looks interesting. Are you guys going into the Christmas tree business?”

“Aspen here fancies himself a Christmas tree farmer someday.”

Her interest piqued. “Really?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. It is something Jace and I talked about in the past. The owner was passing those out and I took them. You remember Joe, right?”

She nodded. “Joe is selling his farm? I thought he loved that place.”

“He does. But after his wife passed away a few years back and his sons moved away, it’s become a bit too much for a man his age.”

She nodded again. “Makes sense.”

Kade slid a plate in front of her.

She slapped her hand over her stomach. “Thank you! This looks delicious and I’m starving.” Her stomach growled in appreciation if her words didn’t convey just how hungry she was.

“Don’t be too hasty. This is Kade’s first tour on kitchen duty; Mom’s recipe or not.”

“I see how this goes. I guess you’ll not want any of my freshly baked garlic bread then. Mom’s recipe too, by the way.”

Ivy nearly choked trying to throw in her two cents. “Me! Me...I want some. He’s the one who made fun of you. Not me.” She nudged the man playfully and smacked his hand away when he tried for one of her slices of bread.

“You’re on your own, buddy. It might have been eight years since I last had her bread, but that’s all you need. One taste and you’re a lifer. Addicted. Period. Say you’re sorry to Kade and maybe he’ll give you some.”

Kade smirked. “Yeah, what she said.”

Aspen’s eyes lit up with amusement as he said, “Why when I can kiss you and get two for one—a kiss and a bread.”

She turned to face Aspen, bread in hand. “So cock-sure, Huh? You’ll have to test that theory.” And then took a healthy bite.

He roared with laughter, head thrown back, his beautiful neck exposed and so damn kissable. She never thought she’d think that about a man’s neck, but she wished she had the balls to lean in and lick, kiss and nibble her way up his neck until they were kissing again.

Spending all this time with Aspen opened a portal to ideas, desires and memories she’d be better off slamming the door shut on.

But looking at him, seeing him beside, smelling him. Her body was having a hard time ignoring anything about Aspen.

Very hard time.

Aspen reached between them and tugged a chunk of hair. “You always did like to play dirty.”

“This recipe landed me several dates with the fine females of the fine UA.”

“You mean the University of Alaska actually let you in?”

Kade straightened an invisible necktie and raised a pinky finger as he sliced several pieces. She snatched another slice up and teased Aspen with his before handing it over.

“If Aspen could get in, I was a shoe-in.” Kade winked at her.

A phone chirped from the office and Kade excused himself.

Alone, Aspen turned to her. “I guess a dinner date turned into a lunch date plus guest after all. See, things tend to work out after all.”

She focused on the bread she had in her hands and pulled a piece off to nibble. “You always did get your way in high school.”

“To be fair, you crashed into my Santa. I should get something for that.”

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