Page 6 of This December

My gaze slid from his to the closed front door of his chalet. Seriously?

He cleared his throat and shifted his weight. “What flowers are your favorite by the way? Because you can have your choice. I have everything from daisies to roses to a poinsettia. There are some wild flower bouquets and stuff I can’t even name.”

“I…” My brain wouldn’t work. All I could think was that Cole Jackson bought me flowers.

Me!

How was this happening?

Then my phone pinged with another delivery order, bringing me back to reality. Because I was a delivery girl, failed marketing associate, unemployed loser, and he wasCole Jackson—gorgeous, successful, famous.

I shook my head. “I have to go. I have another job. This was…yeah. Weird, to be honest.” I laughed incredulously, certain I was going to wake up any minute. “Um, thanks, I guess? Enjoy your holiday.”

I turned to leave.

“Wait! You’re not even going to tell me your name?”

I jogged down the steps then turned to face him, still clutching the flowers. “It’s December. December James.”

“Seriously? I mean, that’s a great name. I’m Cole.”

I nodded in acknowledgement. “My mom loves this time of year. I have three sisters—Aspyn, Belle, and Chrissy. Not Isabelle but Belle as in Christmas bells. And Chrissy got her name because my dad finally put his foot down and wouldn’t let Mom name my sister Christmas. Chrissy was the compromise.”

“Wow, that’s dedication to a theme.”

“You have no idea. Well, I’ll see ya.” I gave him an awkward wave and turned to go again.

“Wait, seriously? You’re leaving?” He jogged down the steps and stood in front of me. “Can I get your number at least? Or should I keep ordering stuff from the grocery store so I can see you?”

I blinked at him.

“Shit. That sounded crazy. I’m totally sane. I’m not a stalker, I swear. I just, I like you, and I thought we had chemistry.” He tilted his head and gave me this look that made my knees weak. “Am I wrong?”

I ducked my head for a second then shook it without saying anything. I couldn’t. The power of his smolder was too much.

“I thought about you for a long time after you left yesterday. I enjoyed our banter and loved the way you rolled with the punches. You were authentic as fuck, and that’s not something I see—ever, really. I just…” He trailed off and scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I sound insane.”

“You don’t.” I reached a hand out and patted his arm. Then realized I was touching him and jerked my hand back. “I…appreciate it. Really.”

“Then what is it? Do you have a boyfriend?”

I snorted. “No.”

“Really? What’s wrong with you then?”

“Oh my god.” I laughed incredulously. “Did you seriously just ask that?”

“What?” His dimpled smile did a serious number on my pulse. “If someone hasn’t snapped you up by now, it stands to reason there has to be something wrong with you.”

I shook my head. “I could say the same about you. You are single, right? You’re not some sleazeball asking me out because I’m conveniently here while your girlfriend is spending the holidays with her family, are you?”

I tried to remember if I’d read anything about him or his legion of girlfriends lately.

“Nah. I’m kinda addicted to work—don’t really have time. That’s why I’m out here. I unplugged from the job, sent my parents on a month-long cruise, and I came to the cabin to get some qualitymetime. Relax and…wow, I sound like a total douche.”

I smiled. “Nah,” I repeated. “I think you sound sweet. It’s nice of you to send your parents on a trip. I wish I could do the same. Mostly because I’m currently living with them, and they’re driving me crazy, but also because I love them to death, and they deserve the best.”

“I’ve got parents like that too. They’re great.”

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