Page 6 of Christmas of Convenience

“No hobbies?”

“Reading for the most part. Jeez, I never realized how boring I am.”

“No, that’s not boring. It’s nice. I think people talk a lot of shit, ya know? Social media makes everyone’s lives look amazing when, in reality, we’re all just sitting around reading books, cooking dinner, taking refrigerators apart. What kind of books do you read?”

Her cheeks blush. “Don’t judge me. I’m not one of those girls that’s completely obsessed with thinking her boyfriend should be a‘book boyfriend.’The fact that I paid you to be my date to the family Christmas party has nothing to do with my romance addiction. Trust me.” She grins and takes another bite of cake.

“Oh damn.” I grin, taking a bite for myself before letting my hand meet hers again. I could sit here for eternity just watching her face light up over and over. “What have I gotten myself into?”

“I know. See, last chance to run.”

“Nah,” I glance down at my watch. “I’m not leaving you now. We should probably get moving, though. The eclipse starts in two hours. We don’t want to miss it.”

“No, we don’t.” She scoops the final piece of lava cake into her mouth and lets go of my hand, leaving behind a cold swell as she stands and tugs her coat back into place. “I’ll get the check. You can—”

“No.” I stand with her, tucking my hand against the small of her back. “This is my treat. Please.”

A half smile spreads onto her face, and a buzz radiates across my chest. For the first time in my life, I don’t want a conversation to end.

Chapter Three

Jen

I’m not sure I’ve ever had a conversation that flowed that easily before. Not with a man, at least. Usually, there’s a ton of dead air and loads of posturing, or I’m disinterested in everything he’s saying and vice versa.

I didn’t get that with Sam. He was asking questions and maintained good eye contact. Hell, he paid for dinner.The man paid for dinner!He didn’t have to pay. I’m here becauseI’minsane, and that’s on me and my wallet, not his.

One giant hand grips the steering wheel as he leans in toward the driver's side door. The man is massive and even something as simple as driving looks hot on him. In the restaurant he’d taken off his baseball cap, but out here, he’s got it on backward with a pair of sunglasses and his flannel is rolled to the elbows, streaking tattoos down his arms. The man is gorgeous.

My heart beats faster, and though I know none of this is real or permanent, it’s really hard to tell my body that.

“So, you excited for this eclipse? The town has been talking about it for months.”

“Yeah, I mean, it’ll be neat. I’m more excited for Christmas Eve, though. It’s always been my favorite day of the year.”

“What about it?”

There he is acting interested again. How is this man single? I heard him say it’s because he wants to be, but still, you’d think someone would’ve snatched him up by now.

“The magic of it all,” I finally say. “It’s even cooler that the eclipse is happening today too. But, I don’t know, I’m really excited for a good old-fashioned Christmas. The tree, the woods, the snow, making cookies with the family tonight.” I squint my eyes toward him. “Man, I’m selfish as hell. I didn’t even ask you what you had planned. Maybe I’m interrupting all of it.”

He glances toward me, then lands his hand on my leg. It’s a casual move and I’m not even sure he’s noticed he’s done it. “I had nothing planned. My brothers are all seeing someone now, so they’re doing their own thing, and I was going to stop by at some point. Most of my day was going to be putting a refrigerator back together. I think it just needs a new evaporator fan.”

“Oh.” I know he’s speaking but I can’t stop thinking about his hand.His big, warm, rough hand on my bare leg.Is this part of the show? Is he practicing for later?

I let out a slow breath and stare out the window, watching the mountain range pass by us. I’d been nervous about the elevation change. Kansas to Colorado is nearly a twelve-thousand-foot difference. Turns out, the elevation is fine. It’s sitting next to a handsome man that’s taking the air from my lungs.

“So, I feel like I should know what you drink, how you like your coffee, and where you went to school. A few of those kinds of things would help a lot.” He brushes my leg with the back of his thumb as he talks.

Good God.

“Oh, right. Umm… well, I like my coffee black. I know, boring. And, ugh, I went to college at the University of Kansas,graduated middle of my class, nothing fancy. I did spend two years traveling all over South Korea, though.”

“South Korea?”

“Yeah, I was teaching English to students as part of my internship.”

“You like it out there?”

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