Page 19 of Christmas with Hope

A man had mademebreakfast. It was a first for me and made me swoon. Colton was definitely one of a kind.

I dug out a pair of fresh clothes then headed to the bathroom to freshen up. Ten minutes later, I was standing in the kitchen looking at a table filled with food. Colton stood by the sink. He turned and looked at me.

“I’m digging the shirt,” he chuckled.

I looked down at my red shirt, which readSanta’s Ho Ho Hoin white bold font.

“I forgot what was on it,” I shrugged. “Stefanie got it for me last Christmas.”

Memories of last year’s Christmas made me chuckle. Stefanie had handed me the wrapped present with a huge grin on her face. When I had opened it, I thought it was just a super pretty red, soft long-sleeved shirt. However, Stefanie’s shit-eating grin told me it was something more so I turned the shirt to where I was looking at the front.

“She’s a great sister,” Colton chuckled, making me giggle.

Stefanie’s gifts always made me smile. This year was no different.

“That she is,” I said, smiling at this year’s Christmas gift – Colton.

“Ready to eat?”

“Always.”

Colton laughed then gestured for me to have a seat at the table. He didn’t need to tell me twice. I sat at the table and stared down at the plate of food: eggs, bacon, and toast.

“Not too shabby, Mr. Preston, if I do say so myself.” My words lingered with my teasing. Colton laughed and took his seat across from me.

“Why thank you, Miss Dawson,” he winked and held up a glass of juice. “Shall we do a toast to new friendships?”

Friendship? The word made my stomach knot. It shouldn’t have, but unfortunately, it did. Friendship was the last thing I wanted with Colton. Something deep down inside me told me friendship wouldn’t be enough.

“To friendships,” I said, pushing past a fake smile and picking up my glass.

“Friendships.” Colton tapped his glass against mine then I sipped from my glass and set it back on the table. “You don’t seem thrilled about the toast.”

I looked across the table to find him staring at me. He looked disappointed.

“It’s not that,” I smiled, shaking my head. “Friendship is good.”

“But…” he prompted.

“But?”

There was definitely a but. I just didn’t want to spook him and have him running for the hills. It had been less than twenty-four hours and already I wanted something more with the man.

“You look like there is a but coming,” he sighed. “Did I ruin things by… um…”

“No,” I shook my head. “You didn’t ruin anything. Promise.”

“Then what is it? I can tell it’s something,” he reached across the table and took hold of my hand. His thumb stroked the top of it softly, making me smile.

“I don’t want to scare you by being one of those women,” I groaned.

“What is one ofthosewomen?” Colton’s eyebrow rose.

“The kind that likes a guy for more than friends after a day.” My words drifted to a whisper and my eyes lowered to the table.

“Why would that scare me?” He stroked my hand again with his thumb. “Hope?”

“Hmm?” I didn’t have the guts to look him in the eyes.

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