Page 107 of All I Want For Christmas

“So if you want just a couple cabins on the Autre city side, and they agree, I suppose you can do that,” Theo said. He looked at the city council. “I still don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Okay. Well, you both did what you said you were going to do. I guess it’s in our hands now,” Kennedy said. “We will discuss it further. But give us a few weeks,” she said to Savannah. “This is a big decision.”

Savannah nodded and gave her a forced smile. “Of course. Please let me know if you need any more information from us.”

And the meeting wrapped up just that easily.

Savannah grabbed her bag and headed for the door.

Of course, Theo was right on her heels.

“Hold up,” he said, putting a hand on the top of her car door before she could pull it open.

“I really don’t want to talk to you anymore.”

“Savannah, I’msorry.”

She turned to face him, her eyes glittering. “About shooting down my project?”

“No. About making you feel stranded that next morning.”

“I’m upset about the project now, Theo.”

Okay, she didn’t want to talk about the morning after. He blew out a frustrated breath. “You can’t be surprised that I’m still against this project.”

“Surprised? Maybe not. Disappointed? Yes. I did what you asked. You said you would be on my side then.”

“No. I said I wouldconsideritthen. Which I did. The thing you have to understand, though, is Iamon your side. I understand what you’re trying to do. I just think this is the wrong way to do it. You’re so bright. You’re so passionate. I’ve no doubt that you can come up with another idea. Just…don’t do it here in Autre.”

Okay, that hadn’t come out exactly right.

The flash of hurt in her eyes confirmed it.

“Savannah—”

“Right,” she said, waving her hand. “Because we’d hate to pierce this beautiful little bubble. Heaven forbid you have to think that anything new, or different, or challenging, right?”

“You think I don’t like new, or different, or challenging?”

“I know you don’t. You basically told me that last Friday. You like things right here, the way it’s always been.”

He leaned in until their noses were nearly touching. She couldn’t back up because the car was right behind her, but she leaned back as far as she could go.

“Well, City Girl, I likeyoua lot. And you are definitely new, and different, and challenging.”

She swallowed, staring up at him.

Then she wet her lips. “And I’m safe because I won’t be sticking around, right?” she asked softly. “You might be into new and fun things for the short term, but you wouldn’t want anything to shake up your world for anything lasting.”

His heart thumped hard against his ribs. “You offering to give me something lasting, Savannah?” His voice was low and gruff.

He shouldnotwant that. He should not believe it. She wasn’t going to stick around down here. Theybothneeded to remember that.

But something flickered in her eyes. Was it desire? Was it longing? Or was it just an urge to slap him hard across the face?

“You say you don’t want people coming down too deep into the trees with you, but I think it’s that you’re afraid of coming out of those trees for too long.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Why would I be afraid of that?”

---