Page 116 of Dancing in the Rain

“It’s so beautiful.” Peyton gazed around with a wistful smile as they strolled into the plaza.

Christ. He hoped this wasn’t going to make her sad. Big holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas were probably hard after the death of a family member. But he could make that better. They weren’t exactly a family, but they’d become…something. His parents were coming for Thanksgiving. Somehow he’d make it all okay for her and Chloe.

Well, nothing could make it okay. But he’d make it as good for them as he could.

They checked out all the booths, looking at carvings and glass sculptures and German steins. Peyton paused at a booth full of Christmas ornaments, her gaze moving over them. When Drew saw the look on her face, his heart dropped.

He gently turned her and pulled her into his arms. Their bulky jackets were between them but he felt her trembling. “I amsosorry,” he said in a low voice. “I thought this would be fun, but it’s making you sad.”

“I’msorry,” she mumbled. “It’s beautiful here. But thinking about Christmas without Sara is just…heartbreaking.”

“I know. I know. I’m sorry.” He rocked her for a moment until someone jostled them and then he drew her gently away from the booth. “Let’s go somewhere else. Let’s go have some glühwein.”

“That’s a good idea.”

They found the tent serving the hot spiced wine and sat for a bit, listening to the music from a German oompah band in the chilly air. With her pink cheeks and sad smile, a big plaid scarf wrapped around her over her black jacket, and chunky knit mitts holding her cup in both hands, she made Drew’s heart trip as he regarded her across the picnic table.

So much for his fun date idea.

“Don’t look like that,” she said. “I’m fine. Some moments are hard.”

“I know. Do you want something to eat?”

“Yeah. That would be good.”

“I’ll go get us food.”

He purchased weißwürste, sauerkraut, and fried potatoes and returned. This time he sat next to her at the table as they shared the food and listened to the music.

“Yum. This is awesome.”

“It is good.”

Peyton’s mood seemed to elevate, or maybe she was just trying hard, and after they’d eaten they wandered around more until the market closed.

“Now we need to warm up,” Drew said as they buckled up back in his car.

“I hope you mean in bed.”

He laughed. “Great idea. But I have one more stop planned before that.” He drove to Logan Square and led her into a bar he’d been to a few times. It had a great cocktail menu, but what appealed to him tonight was the big fireplace and huge antique sofas. They scored one near the fire and he slid his arm around her and snuggled her into him as they waited for their drinks.

“This is nice.” She looked around at the old brick and dark wood interior.

“Yeah. I thought on a chilly night this would be a good place for a nightcap.” He pressed a kiss to her hair. “And then after this, I’m going to take you home and fuck you senseless.”

She shivered and set her hand on his thigh. “I can’t wait.”

As they sipped their drinks and talked in the dark bar, firelight gilding Peyton’s hair and face, sultry jazz music playing in the background, heat and tension hummed between them. He couldn’t stop touching her—her silky hair, her smooth cheek, her slender shoulder. He watched her talk, mesmerized by her lips.

Jesus. He was crazy about this woman.

“Let’s go,” he said abruptly as soon as they’d finished their drinks. He set his glass down sharply.

Her smile illuminated the room and his heart as they rose off the big couch and grabbed their jackets.

They went to her place. She’d left a couple of lights on and he turned them off as they headed straight upstairs to her room.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

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