Page 60 of More Than Falling in Love

“I researched until my fingers were numb since I didn’t want to ask anyone questions because then they’d know it was for you.And no one knows you play.”

“How did you manage to get this here and still keep that secret?”

“Tandy helped me.I shipped it to her house, and she snuck it to me a little while ago.”I give his fingers a squeeze.“At least now if she asks you to pose without a shirt, she’ll want a guitar in front of you.”

He shakes his head.“Never gonna happen.”

“Play it for me.Let’s hear how it sounds.”

He runs his fingers down the neck, then plucks at a string.With his head cocked, he plays a note, then adjust the pegs at the top.After a few minutes, he plays the tune I love so much, the one he wrote.

“It’s amazing.I can’t believe you bought me a guitar.”

“You said the other one was old and barely held a tune.”I tuck my hands into the pocket on the front of the sweatshirt because hugging Kent right now might lead to my kissing him, and that’s a bad idea.

He’s been clear about what he wants and doesn’t want.Plus, we still live eighteen hundred miles apart.

Kent leans over and kisses my cheek.“I don’t even know how to tell you what this means to me.”

“I’m glad you like it.”I snuggle back into the chair as he starts playing again.

This Christmas has been the best one yet.

When I visit for a week,I try to spend time with everyone I can.Today, Cami and I are having doughnuts, then catching after-Christmas sales.We’re at a table in the corner of the doughnut shop when Garrett walks through the door.Tessa runs—and not half-heartedly—around the counter and hugs him.It’s good for me to see friends like that because it makes my relationship with Kent seem less strange.

Since giving him that guitar and getting that kiss on the cheek, my emotions are all over the place.I refuse to admit to myself the feelings I have for him.I can’t.But these last few days, things feel different.But the situation hasn’t changed.

Cami shakes her head.“Those two.Garrett is totally in love.I mean, look at him.And Tessa is just afraid.I hope they figure it out because between you and me, I feel silly pretending they’re just friends.”

So much for the less strange part.

She dusts crumbs off her shirt.“Okay, so give me the scoop.I’m guessing Kent tells you stuff.Is he interested in Mason’s teacher?She’s single.”

“He hasn’t said anything, but I don’t think so.”I picture the way he pressed a hand to my back on the first day of school, letting everyone make assumptions.

She sighs.“Ugh.It’s like that man is determined to stay single.I like to think of myself as sort of a matchmaker.I’d match you with Kent, but like we talked about, he needs someone who lives here.”

I nod.“Because of Mason.”

Spending time with Cami is fun and always informative, but today, I need the reminder to keep things as they are with Kent.My feelings aren’t more important than what Mason needs.

“I’m not sure Kent wants to be matched with anyone.”

“Of course he does.He just might not know it yet.Falling in love is…” She takes another bite of her doughnut.“Better than that first sip of coffee after a night with little sleep.”

“I’ll trust you on that.”I finish my coffee, then glance over my shoulder.

Tessa hugs Garrett again before he walks out the door.

“He wasn’t here that long.”

Cami leans forward.“He comes in every single morning.Doesn’t miss a day.Doughnuts aren’t why.”

“Who else are you matching up?”Maybe if I steer the conversation away from Kent, the tightness in my chest will ease.

She taps her lips.“I’m running out of people.Parker just shook his head when I asked him about letting me set him up.Tyler is still hung up on his ex.Dag has no interest in settling down, so I didn’t even ask him.And Dallas—he’s Tandy’s nephew—he wagged his finger at me and told me not to even think about setting him up.”

I’ve only spoken to Dallas a few times, but I can picture him shutting down Cami’s suggestion.“He seems to like being single.”

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