Page 30 of A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

Since our earlier conversation, we’ve fallen into an easy routine that’s focused on decorating the tree.

The popcorn garland is first and apparently the most complicated item on the list.

“Stop eating the popcorn, or we won’t have enough!” I slap Cole’s hand as it’s about to dip into the bowl.

“Did you see how many boxes of popcorn Mel made me buy?” He asks, eyebrows so far up his hairline that I can’t help but giggle.

“I saw one box on the counter.” I scoff.

“Yeah, well, there’s three more in the cabinet,” he laughs. “We have enough popcorn for at least five Christmas trees. Maybe more.”

The mischievous glint in his sparkling green eyes holds me captive just as he stuffs an entire handful of popcorn into his mouth. His cheeks look like a chipmunk’s.

I shake my head and chuckle at him. I am letting my guard down another notch. We’ve fallen back into the comfortableness that has always been between us. My brain is on high alert, but every other part of me enjoys the ease.

I grab another piece of popped corn and thread it with the needle.

I look at the foot or so of garland we’ve threaded so far and realize we are probably going to be here forever.

Cole nudges my shoulder. “Do you have somewhere else you need to be today?”

Warmth floods me from where his body touched mine, and I feel heat creeping up my face.

“Well? Do you?” He teases.

My lips curl up, and it hits me. Hot chocolate. This moment is definitely missing hot chocolate.

A wide smile crosses my face. “Did Mel have you buy hot chocolate?”

“Uh, no. That wasn’t on her list.” He narrows his eyes at me, confusion filling them. “She said you would be bringing it?”

“Oh wait!” I facepalm and hop off of the couch, running to my room. When I come out, Cole is standing at the opposite end of the hallway with knitted brows and tight lips, but they immediately change to a slanted grin when he sees me holding up a bag of marshmallows and Hershey’s hot chocolate.

“I forgot I had these.” A wide smile stretches across my face.

Cole crosses his arms across his chest and leans against the wall, watching me. His smile reaches hisbright green eyes, making my stomach flutter as heat moves through my body.

Feeling emboldened, I glance over my shoulder and wink at him as I turn into the kitchen.

His laughter rings out behind me.

I stop and turn toward him with my head tipped downward. “Are you going to help or what?”

His smile widens as he approaches the door, hand on the frame. His eyes roam over my face, and my breath hitches. His gaze meets mine, turning me into a sloppy puddle.

Cole quietly walks into the kitchen and gently brushes past me, leaving his woodsy scent trailing across me. He opens the cabinet and pulls out two mugs shaped like Christmas trees.

I smile at the sight of them as I fill a teapot with water. I move to the stove, turn the burner to medium-high, and then place the teapot on the flame. When I turn around, Cole is sitting at the table with a crooked grin on his face.

“Did your co-worker’s wife have their baby?”

“Yes! Brian and his wife are the proud new parents of a beautiful baby boy!”

“That’s wonderful! Congratulations to them.” I notice a glint in Cole’s eyes. “What’s so funny?”

“Mike sent me a picture of the new family, and poor Brian looks happy but terrified.”

“Well, starting a family is a life-changing event.” I lift a shoulder. I can’t help but notice a flicker of emotion cross his expression. It was so fast that I probably would've missed it if I didn’t know him so well.

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