Page 21 of All in December
“Okay,” they both say in unison, which makes me happy since they aren’t demanding food right this minute.
It only takes me about twenty minutes to unpack all our gear and get our clothes in the wash before I start dinner. I settle for spaghetti and meatballs, and the kids have no complaints. After dinner, I get them cleaned up and ready for bed, and when the house finally quiets down, I grab my phone and open my texts with Caleb.
Would you rather stay in a stranger’s hotel room or drive home in a snowstorm?
I stare at the screen for a second, heart thudding, as I wait for the three little dots to appear.
Caleb:
That’s a tough one. Though I did just have a great experience staying in a stranger’s hotel room, so I think I’d have to go with that. As long as it’s the same stranger.
Another smile takes over my face at his response.
What a lucky stranger
Caleb:
He even let me sleep on my favorite side of the bed.
Sounds like a perfect match
Caleb:
I think you’re right about that
That stranger’s kind of hoping he doesn’t stay a stranger much longer.
Three dots appear, then disappear, and reappear. Finally after what feels like an eternity, he texts back.
Caleb:
Yeah. Me too.
CHAPTER 11
Caleb
It’s been two days since we got back, and I still can’t stop thinking about Nash. We’ve been texting as much as we can, and I feel like a teenager, which is both ridiculous and a complete rush.
Yesterday morning, he sent me a selfie of him helping Benji and Emma put on their snow gear. They were bundled up in their snow pants and coats, and I must’ve stared at it for a solid five minutes. It felt like he was sharing a glimpse into their lives.
When they were finished, Nash sent another photo of a lopsided snowman with a carrot nose, scarf, stick arms, and what looked like pinecones for eyes. It made me laugh, but it also made me ache a little. It felt like I was watching something just out of reach, something Sam and I didn’t quite fit in with yet, even though that wasn’t his intention.
A small part of me is terrified by how quickly these feelings are staking their claim. A week ago, I wouldn’t even let myself think about dating again. And now, all I want is more time with him. To have plans for when we’ll see each otheragain. To play in the snow with Sam, Nash, Benji, and Emma. To wake up with his arms around me. I can’t think of anything I want more, honestly.
Sam shifts his feet on my lap, drawing my attention back to the Christmas movie we have on. Every night in December, we watch a different holiday movie. It’s our own little tradition. This month has always been our favorite, and now it feels like it has the potential to be even more special for a whole new reason.
The rational part of me knows I should attempt to pump the brakes because I’m feeling too much, too fast. But I can’t seem to help it. Not when every part of this feels good in a way I forgot was possible.
I pick up my phone, rereading our texts from earlier. He said he had a couple of meetings this afternoon, but I want to restart our conversation.
He’s a director at a tech company, which somehow makes him even more attractive because, of course, he’s a leader. He’s thoughtful and intentional and all the things I’m very into.
I start typing: Hope your meetings went well.
Then delete it because that’s boring.
Kind of wish we were back on that mountain right now.
