Page 18 of The Bookworm Who Stole Christmas
“You can view that as highly unlikely.” I laugh, walking toward the counter. “You can come in here every day, and my answer will still be the same.”
It might not be, but he doesn’t need to know that.
He crosses his arms over his chest, the fabric straining against his muscles. I swallow as he chuckles. “I might just do that, sweetheart.”
The nickname catches me off guard. It makes my skintingle and my breath hitch. I shouldn’t like it, but I really do.
“Is there any particular reason you're here other than to annoy me, Parker?” I tease, trying not to let him know how much he affects me.
“I was hoping to take you for a hot chocolate.” He grins. “See if I can get you into the Christmas mood.”
My first instinct is to say no. I don’t want hot chocolate, and I certainly don’t want to get into the Christmas mood, but I did say I’dtry. He’s looking at me with hope shining in his eyes, and for the life of me, I can’t say no to him.
“Okay.”
His face falls, and I immediately think I’ve done something wrong, until he says, “Wait, seriously? You’re not saying no to me?”
“Do your worst,” I retort, wondering who this person is that’s taken over my body. Narrowing my eyes and pointing a finger at him, I say, “Just don’t go getting your hopes up when it doesn’t happen.”
“We’ll see,” he replies before jerking his head toward the office. “Get your coat, then.”
I huff, wanting to be annoyed with him, but for some unknown reason, it doesn’t come. Instead, I’m filled with a slight warmth in my chest. It feels altogether wrong but right at the same time. I ignore it and grab my coat from the hook, turning off the lights as I follow him to the shop door.
Once I’ve locked everything up for the night, I turn and ask, “Where to?”
“I thought we could wander down to the park? They have a Christmas market tonight. One of the stalls does the best hot chocolate you’ll find.”
I fall into step with him. For every step of his, I have to take two, but he notices and slows down to match me.
“Erm, have you lived here long?” I ask, feeling awkward.
“A couple of years now. My daughter and I moved here from the city.” He rubs the back of his neck, a sheepish look on his face. “My divorce was finalized, so we wanted a fresh start.”
“Oh, you were married?”
I should have known that a man as alluring as Parker would have had at least one serious relationship. He’s a lot older than me, for starters, so it would stand to reason. I just don’t understand the wave of jealousy that hits me at the thought.
“Yeah, eleven years.” He nods, a sad look on his face. “Got married as soon as we found out my ex was pregnant.”
I don’t know what to say. I don’t have a great track record with relationships, but I’ve also never been in one as serious as marriage.
“How old is your daughter?” I ask.
Is it weird that it's kinda hot he’s a single dad?
Parker beams, all sadness gone and in its place pride. “Thirteen going on thirty. That girl has more sense than I do most days.”
“Kids scare me,” I blurt. He gives me a weird look, which makes me rush to clarify, “I’ve never been around them, so I don’t know what to do with them.”
Well, that’s a lie. I’m not weird around Amelia. I think she’s the only kid I feel comfortable with.
He gives me a crooked smile before leaning in and whispering, “Wanna know a secret?”
“Hmm,” I mumble, concentrating on the light reflecting in his eyes.
“I have my own child, and evenIdon’t know what to do with her half the time. I’m just winging it every day.” He draws back,and I chuckle.
Snow starts falling gently as we walk along the brightly lit streets. The closer we get to the park, the louder the Christmas music gets, and it takes everything in me not to shiver at the sound.
