Page 13 of Love for the Holiday

“I don’t.”

“He grabbed my hand from his face. Embarrassment began to rise in me but ceased when he intertwined his fingers with mine. He kissed the top of my hand then led me into his office.

His office was decorated with a large dark cherry oak desk and two tall bookshelves filled with medical books. His multiple college degrees were hanging on the wall behind his desk. His office was almost picture-perfect, if it wasn’t for theNFLpicture hanging next to his degrees. I loved football, but it seemed a bit out of place compared to the rest of the decor.

“Please, have a seat.” He gestured toward the big leather seats which sat in front of the desk.

“Thanks,” I said sitting down.

Jacob walked around his desk and took a seat in his office chair. His appearance made me smile. He was wearing his medical coat and his stethoscope hung around his neck.

“What?” he chuckled.

“Just taking in the sight of Doctor Holiday,” I teased and then took a sip of my coffee.

“Making fun of me now, Miss Daniels?” He smirked.

“Never.”

“Uh huh.Riiiight.” He winked before turning on his laptop. “How was your day?”

“Exhausting,” I sighed. “My body feels like I’ve been trampled over by a stampede of buffalo.”

“Love, why didn’t you go home and take care of yourself?” He was looking up from the screen and frowning.

“Um…” My cheeks were starting to warm from my embarrassment. Do I dare tell him how much I wanted to see him? Or, do I lie and tell him I had some errands to run?

“Um, what, Miss Daniels?”

“Just wanted to see you,” I whispered and dropped my gaze down to my cup.

“Really?” He seemed surprised by my confession. Too embarrassed to face him, I kept my head down and nodded. “Well, I wish you would take care of yourself, but I am glad you came by.”

That caught my attention. Slowly, I brought my gaze up to look at him.

“Surprised?” he asked making me nod in reply. “You shouldn’t be,” he chuckled. “I don’t know what you did to me, but I can’t seem to get you off my mind.”

There it was — anotherHallmarkmoment.

My heart skipped a beat before rapidly beating as though in competition with the butterflies in my stomach. There was an indescribable feeling inside me. Joy? Warmth? Love? Maybe all three. The feeling engulfing me made me feel like I was the only woman in the world. The only woman Jacob saw.

“There’s just something about you, Love Daniels,” he smiled. “Does that make me sound like a creep?”

“No,” I laughed and shook my head. “Makes you sweet. Romantic even.”

“That’s something I’ve never heard associated with my name,” he laughed. “Romantic, huh?”

“I mean in my eyes it was,” I shrugged.

“Well, if I ever do say something that is creepy or makes you uncomfortable you have to tell me. Okay?”

I replied with a nod.

“Same for you. Okay?”

“I can do that.” He smiled and began to work.

While I sipped on my coffee, I watched him and his many facial expressions. He was very animated. When he concentrated hard on things, he bit his bottom lip. When something annoyed him, he rolled his eyes and huffed.

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