Page 22 of A Lot Like Christmas (Blue Moon Bay 2)

“And you’re sure about this? About me tagging along to your activities?”

“Areyousure about this? You’re probably going to be bored to death.” She let out a nervous laugh.

“I guess we’ll find out,” he said with a wink that sent her pulse racing. He took in her bowling polo shirt and read aloud: “Bay’s Singles?”

Her cheeks flushed slightly. “It’s a singles’ league.” She couldn’t claim to have been passionate about the sport when she’d first joined. It had been in the hopes of meeting someone, but now she actually enjoyed the weekly meet-up, despite not having found Mr. Right among the pins.

“Aw. Any ex-boyfriends I should be worried about?” He put the car in reverse and backed out of her drive.

“All blissfully married,” she said.

He glanced at her, his gaze far too perceptive. Had he heard the note of longing in her voice?

She needed to change the subject. “What did you do all day?”

“Went for a run on the beach this morning, played golf with my dad in the afternoon, took a nap…” He paused. “And thought about you almost the whole time.”

Heat flushed through her. She’d been thinking about him all day, too. There may be a cake out there missing an ingredient to prove it.

“Almost the whole time?” she asked, a teasing note in her voice.

“Well, I think there might have been at least a few minutes throughout the day that I tried not counting down the seconds until tonight,” he said, reaching for her hand.

He interlaced their fingers and happiness overwhelmed her. Whatever happened once the holidays were over was out of her control. Right now, she’d try to relax and enjoy their time together.

He rotated his shoulders and grimaced slightly.

“You okay?” she asked.

“First time golfing in a while. Didn’t realize how tight my muscles were.” He glanced at her. “You wouldn’t know a good masseuse by any chance, would you?”

She grinned. “I do, in fact.”

“Oh yeah?” he asked huskily, bringing her hand to his lips and kissing it.

It was hard to concentrate when he did things like that, but still, she said, “Yes, Mrs. Barnett. I’m fairly sure her offer was a standing one.”

He gently bit her knuckle. “Tease.”

A lump lodged in her throat at the sexy gesture, and she fought the urge to take the wheel and force them to the side of the road so she could get that kiss she’d foolishly turned down the night before. Instead, she cleared her throat and focused on the least sensual topic she could think of. “So, when does Lia arrive?”

“A few days.”

“Do you think she’ll freak out about us spending time together?” How could Lia possibly be angry about this when the two of them were so obviously happy and having a good time together? She may find her brother irritating, but she’d want him to be happy, right?

“Nah. Why would she?”

His words weren’t as reassuring as she’d like. Maybe he thought there was nothing for Lia to freak out over, and that caused an unsettled feeling in her stomach.

Far too soon, he pulled into the bowling alley lot and peered at the two-story building that also housed a new and improved arcade, the axe-throwing rooms, an escape room, and a small bar. “I actually think I was here on opening day for the old arcade.”

“Oh, come on!” He wasn’t that old.

“No shit. There was a Pac-Man competition and I entered.”

“Did you win?”

“I don’t think so…” He unbuckled his seat belt and stopped her as she reached for the door handle. “You’re sure you’re cool with me being here? I don’t want to cramp your style all week.” He paused. “The thing is, I really like hanging out with you. I thought I was going to get bored being home for three weeks.”

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