Page 66 of Maybe This Christmas
They stumbled up the stairs and into his apartment.He left the big light off, flicking on a lamp as they stepped inside.Paired with the flickering Christmas tree lights, the space had a cozy vibe.
They stamped the snow off their boots, unwound their scarves from around their necks, and unbuttoned their coats.
“I’m sorry, I can be a little dense sometimes.”Caleb hung his coat on a hook next to where she stood.
She looked at him, his hair standing up on end.“I find it endearing in situations such as this.”
He took her coat and hung it up.Their boots were toed off then she followed him down the hall to his bedroom.
She fell a step behind as they passed his daughters’ room.Decorated for Christmas.An odd, worrying knot of anxiety appeared in her stomach.With all these decisions coming so quickly, she had to wonder, was she okay being with a man who had children?
This was just one more change she would have to adapt to if she wanted to move to Falling Leaves permanently.
Caleb flicked on the bedside lamp in his bedroom.It was then he noticed she’d fallen behind.
“Are you okay?”
She shook off her nerves.“Sorry.Sometimes I forget you have kids.It took me a moment.”
He leaned in the doorway.“I know we’ve touched on it, but are you against me having kids?Because if you are, then this thing between us won’t go further than this.”
“I just don’t want yours to hate me.”
He chuckled at that.“If you’re worried about a stepmother dearest situation, they’re a little young for that.But we can take things slow, Emma.Olivia and I have already discussed that you’d meet them when we’re all ready.”
She worried her left hand over her right.“You’ve told her about me?”
He smiled.“She’s still one of my best friends.But it’s all platonic and co-parenting now.You don’t have to worry about that.She’s madly in love with Ashley.You’ll probably be when you meet her, too.Everyone loves her.”
She exhaled.“It’s all so civilized.I guess for someone like me, who never really had stability in my life as a kid…it’s equally refreshing and confusing.”
“I think that’s a great way to describe my family.”He peeled away from the doorway.“Now, we can talk things out if you want.Or…?”
For the second time tonight, she cut him off with a kiss.“I’ll take that second option, Mr.Ellis.”
He drew her close.“Mr.Ellis is my dad.Or my uncle.Okay, this is getting weird.Enough talking about my family, please.”
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders.He caught her around the waist, lifting her off her feet.
“Deal.”
She kicked the door closed behind them.They fell back into bed, laughing.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bright and early, they stood side by side in the empty space.Two days before Christmas, the whole town was sleeping in.
Except for them.Two weeks ago, he’d never met Emma.Now, he stood with her in the possible future home of her business.
The floor creaked under Caleb’s boots as he moved around.“Can I tell you something crazy?”
“Crazy like ‘I see dead people’, or crazy like you like pineapple on pizza?”
He let out a laugh.“The answer to both of those questions is no.”He turned toward her, extending his arms wide.“I can see a built-in on this wall for all the little things that could get lost in a shop like this.Trinkets, pens, stuff like that.”
“Dark wood,” Emma added.
“Exactly.Maybe wallpaper on the back shelves for a pop of color?”He laughed at himself.“I’ve been working with my sister and Kayla for too long.But seriously, I think that would look great, don’t you?”
