Page 46 of The Snuggle is Real
“I’ll walk you to the door,” Ford said.
“Okay.” When we reached the front door, I turned to Ford. “I’ve got something else for you.”
“Oh?” His gaze darted down to my mouth. Was he…? No. There was no reason he’d expect or even want a kiss from me. “What is it?”
I retrieved my wallet and pulled out the festival tickets I’d gotten from Griff.
“For you and Charlie. So I don’t have to keep being a third wheel.”
“You’re not a third wheel. I believe Pepper made four.”
I grinned. “I think he’s found true love with your Charlie.”
“Pretty sure the feeling’s mutual.” Ford looked down at the tickets. “Ice-skating, huh? Charlie will love that. Pics with Santa? I thought that was free.”
I tapped the ticket. “Participating is free, of course. This gets you a set of professional photos.”
“Oh, wow. That’s too generous.”
“There’s, uh, a little something for you in there too.”
He flipped through the tickets and snorted a laugh. “An Ugly Christmas Sweater Party? You really are determined to get me into one of those, huh?”
I grinned. “That one’s actually for me. I’ll be there so I can see you in all your ugly sweater glory.”
He chuckled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were flirting with me.”
My heart faltered. “Oh, I didn’t mean— I’m so sorry if that came out wrong. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“I didn’t say anything about being uncomfortable. Besides, I know you’re not really flirting. Otherwise, you’d be trying to get me out of my clothes, not into uglier ones.”
I laughed weakly. “Right.”
Pepper tugged at the leash at my side, getting impatient. Just how long had Ford and I dragged out this goodbye?
I needed toleave.
Joke or not, I was far too invested in him and he’d obviously picked up on it.
“There’s also a couple of tickets to the cocktail hour in there for you.”
“There’s two? Why…”
“So you can take a date.” I forced a smile, trying to pretend I didn’t hate the idea of Ford going out with someone. “Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the season too.”
“This is too much, Mason.”
“Nah. You deserve that and more.”
His eyes met mine, searching. “Do you really believe that?”
“Of course I do. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
He wet his lips, sending my heart rate spiking, then pulled me in against that broad chest in a warm, enveloping hug.
I wanted to snuggle into those strong arms, rest my head against that broad chest, and live there forever.
Which is why I pulled away. “Goodnight, Ford.”
