Page 33 of Jam and Jingle Bells
I grasped his hand on top of the table and squeezed it. “Let me talk to Mel. I’ll pay for a month of classes for her and then they can decide if they want her to keep going. If it helps get her over this hump then it’s well worth the money.”
He shook his head. “You’ll do no such thing. If they think yoga will help her, I’ll offer them a free month to try it out and then discount their rate if they want her to keep coming. It’s the least I can do to pay back the community for all the help they’ve given me. I know everyone would rather the service go to a child who is near and dear to their hearts.”
“You’re absolutely right there. Thank you, Ellis. I’ll talk to Mel about it and have her get in touch with you. I think it would do Holly a load of good to have something she can do at home when she needs to get out of her head.”
“I agree. I spend a lot of time doing yoga just to get out of my head. It’s great for that. Most people think yoga is about getting into their head, but they’re dead wrong.”
“I’ve never actually done yoga. I suppose I should try it, but I’m so awkward and fluffy I never quite know where to start.”
“Okay, first of all, you aren’t awkward and fluffy. Second of all, if you want to try it, I’ll give you some private lessons on your living room floor. I’m nice like that.”
I giggled, the sound carefree and happy. “I’d like that, and I’d definitely like to try it in my living room first. It’s less embarrassing that way.”
“I’m not worried in the least. I think you’ll be great at it. Now, back to the gazebo.”
I snapped my fingers. “Oh, right, okay,” I said, launching into the story again, only interrupted once by Lila with our tacos. Between bites, he pointed out that maybe we overstepped, which I didn’t disagree with. “You’re totally right and we knew it could backfire, but at the same time, we didn’t want her to give up on her dream just because she’s living with a disease that holds her back sometimes. If that makes sense.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “More than you know.”
Well, how’s that for a weird answer?I didn’t say anything though, just finished chewing my taco.
“I’ll let you know how it turns out, but I suspect if Mel has anything to say about it, the gazebo will be the backdrop for their nuptials.”
Once he wiped his mouth, he grinned. “And by then Santa’s sleigh will be there.”
“Santa’s what now?” I asked, confused and concerned for his mental health.
“Santa’s sleigh,” he said again. “They’re going to have Santa in the park every Saturday from now until Christmas. You haven’t heard about this? They asked all the businesses in town to donate candy canes or hot chocolate.”
I shook my head vigorously and then paused. “You know what, the chamber was trying to get ahold of me, but I never returned the call because clients kept coming in. Guess I better call them back!” I said excitedly. “The kids would eat that up! Santaandthe tree in the background. Talk about awesome pictures.”
He nodded, a smile wide on his face while he sipped his cocoa. “Exactly what they were thinking. They’re going to have an elf there taking pictures and the proceeds from the sale of the pictures will go to buy new lights for the tree next year. They thought it was a more original setting for the traditional Santa picture than the mall.”
I clapped excitedly, the spirit of Christmas back in my heart. “I seriously can’t wait to see this! Where did they get the sleigh?”
He swallowed and shrugged. “Don’t know. Just know what they told me when they called.” He motioned to Lila for the check and I finished my taco, grabbed my purse and snatched the check from her before he could
“My treat this time,” I said, handing her the cash and the bill. “Keep the change. Thanks, Lila. Have a great night.” She thanked me then waved on her way back to the bar.
He had his eye on me and I laughed. “What? It was just tacos, relax,” I said, throwing my coat on and my purse over my shoulder.
He grabbed his own and stuck his arms in, pulling his stocking cap on his head and letting the smile return to his face. “Okay, but we’re even now,” he said, his brow pointing to his nose.
I held up my hands as we walked toward the door. “Dude, I’m a modern-day woman. I believe women can pick up the check once in a while in a dating situation and not insult a man’s masculinity.”
He had his hand to my back, but he paused, his hand grasping the back of my coat to stop my forward motion. “Dating situation?”
I spun on my heel slowly and grimaced. “I said that, didn’t I? How about friend situation? We can pick up the check alternately as friends without insulting each other or maybe, like, you know, we can just start going Dutch if that makes you feel better. That’s no problem, we’ll just tell them to split the check.”
He advanced on me until I was up against the rough brick of the bar and grill. He planted a hand on either side of my head and leaned in, his warm body plastered the length of me and his cold nose nearly touching mine. It was strangely erotic and overtly intimidating at the same time.
“Did I say I had a problem with the wordsdating situation?” he asked, his voice low and his breathing ragged.
“Um, no, but you did use those two words in a tone of voice that said you weren’t so sure about it,” I squeaked, mad that my voice wasn’t strong and take charge. It was hard to be strong and take charge when he was hanging over me with lust in his eyes.
He moved closer, his warm thigh now trapped between my knees, and his forehead just inches from mine, which meant his eyes bore into mine when he spoke. His words were measured when he did. “I wasn’t sure about the situation, not the words.”
My eyes stared at the brim of his hat just to break eye contact. “Yeah, thanks, that totally cleared it up for me.”
