Merry with a Playmaker (Love Beach Holiday Collection)

Chapter Three

The bell tinkles on the ornate glass and wooden door to O'Leahey's Creamery signaling our arrival. The sweet scent of churned ice cream envelops me like a warm hug as I step inside the cozy shop. Twinkling string lights dance across the wooden beams, casting a soft glow on the old-fashioned stools lining the long marble counter. It's like walking into an idyllic Christmas card.

The door swings open behind me, a gust of frosty air nipping at my heels. I glance over my shoulder and freeze. Evan de Nemours stands in the doorway, snowflakes melting in his dark hair, a roguish grin splitting his handsome face as his eyes lock onto mine.

My heart does a traitorous little flip. I arch an eyebrow at him, trying for unimpressed. "Fancy meeting you here."

Evan saunters towards me, that infuriating grin never wavering. "Well, when I heard the brilliant Merry Robinson was in town, I just had to drop everything and come pay my respects."

He stops beside me, close enough that I catch a whiff of his cologne, something warm and spicy that makes my knees go a little weak. I clench my jaw, annoyed at my body's instinctive response to him.

I cross my arms and shoot him a flat look. "I'm sure. Because a big-shot rugby star like you has nothing better to do than chase down old college friends."

Evan clutches his heart in mock affront. "Math geeks who moonlight as secret weapons for championship rugby teams are my top priority."

Despite myself, I smile. Evan always did know which of my buttons to push to coax out a grin - usually against my better judgment. Kind of like agreeing to meet up with him here...

Evan leans in, eyes twinkling. "Now, are you going to continue sassing me, or can I buy the brilliant strategist an ice cream?"

old charming, incorrigible Evan. Heaven help me.

I point an accusing finger at him. "One scoop. Then you've got some explaining to do, mister."

His grin widens into a full-blown smirk as he offers me his elbow with exaggerated gallantry. "Your wish is my command."

I link my arm through his ignoring the way my heart stutters at the casual contact. He leads me to the counter, smiling down at me with that dangerous twinkle still gleaming, one thought pulses through my mind:

Uh-oh. I'm in trouble.

**********

Evan orders our ice cream, I sneak glances at him from the corner of my eye. The years have been kind to him—a little silver at the temples, a few laugh lines around those magnetic green eyes, but still every inch the devastatingly handsome charmer I remember.

Unfortunately.

He catches me looking and winks, sending a traitorous flush crawling up my neck. I avert my gaze, but not before I catch the knowing curve of his lips. Damn it.

Desperate for a distraction, I scan the bright array of ice cream flavors. "So, Mr. Big-Shot-Rugby-Star, what's your flavor of choice these days?"

"Hmm, I'm partial to Butter Pecan." His shoulder brushes mine. "I might be persuaded to try something new if a certain brilliant strategist recommends it."

I huff out a laugh, an odd fluttering sensation taking flight in my stomach. "Still incorrigible."

"And you're still keeping me on my toes." His eyes dance with warmth and something deeper I don't dare analyze. "Some things never change."

Our server hands us our cones—Butter Pecan for him, Peppermint Stick for me. Evan gestures for me to choose a table, and I lead us to a cozy nook by the frosty window.

We sit, knees bumping under the small table, I take a fortifying lick of my ice cream and raise an eyebrow at him. "Alright, hot shot. You got me here. Now spill—what brings you back to Love Beach?"

For a split second, a shadow flickers across his face, gone so quickly I almost think I imagined it. Then the easy smile is back, tinged with a wistfulness that catches me off guard.

"Would you believe me if I said I missed the way the seagulls jazz up 'Jingle Bells'?"

Despite myself, I snort out a laugh. "Not for a second."

He chuckles, but there's a weight to it, an uncharacteristic heaviness that sets off tiny warning bells in my head. His gaze locks onto mine, searching and vulnerable.

"I realized somewhere along the way, chasing down my dreams... I lost track of what matters. Who matters."

"Merry..."

His voice is soft almost pleading. I'm tempted.

"I'm not sure what you're getting at, but I'm here to visit my family not to... revisit old flames."

He sits back, studying me with green eyes that seem to see straight through me. A smile plays at the corner of his mouth, but there's a determination in his gaze that sets my heart racing.

"Well, in that case..." He leans forward conspiratorially. His voice a husky whisper. "What do you say we make some new memories starting with the tree lighting ceremony tonight?"

I nearly choke on my ice cream. "The tree lighting? Evan, I don't think-"

"Come on, Mer," he cajoles. "It'll be just like old times! Hot cocoa, off-key caroling, a snowball fight or two?"

"You're impossible."

His grin is wicked and unrepentant. "Is that a yes?"

I hesitate, torn between the undeniable pull of his charm and the voice in my head screaming at me to run. This is dangerous territory, the kind of holiday magic that could sweep me off my feet and leave me stranded come New Year's.

What's the harm in one little ceremony? It's not like I'm agreeing to anything more...

"Fine," I sigh, pointing my spoon at him in mock warning. "No funny business, de Nemours. This is a friendly outing, got it?"

His smile is blinding, and it takes everything in me not to mirror it. "Got it. Scout's honor."

"You were never a Scout."

**********

I try to focus on the festive decorations around us, the twinkling lights and cheerful garlands, but my mind keeps drifting back to Evan. The looks. The touches. It's all so familiar, so comfortable, and yet...

No way. I give myself a mental shake, firmly pushing those thoughts aside. This trip is about reconnecting with old friends and soaking up some holiday cheer, not getting tangled up in some fleeting romance. I've worked too hard, come too far, to let myself get swept away by a charming smile and a few fond memories.

Evan falls into step beside me, our shoulders bumping companionably. "So, what have you been up to all these years, Merry? Still crunching numbers and whipping rugby teams into shape?"

I laugh, the sound carrying on the frosty breeze. "Something like that. You? Still breaking hearts and scoring tries?"

"You wound me, Robinson. I'll have you know I've hung up my cleats and retired my jersey. These days, I'm more of a gentleman of leisure."

"Is that what they're calling it now?" I tease, bumping my hip against his. "Here I thought you'd be off conquering the world, one rugby pitch at a time."

"Nah," he shrugs, his gaze turning thoughtful. "Turns out there's more to life than chasing a ball around a field. Who knew?"

We walk in silence, the weight of the years stretching between us. There's so much I want to ask him, so much I want to know, but something holds me back.

As we round the corner and the town square comes into view, all of those worries fade away. The tree is magnificent, a towering evergreen dripping with lights and ornaments, and the air is filled with the sound of carolers and the scent of roasting chestnuts.

"Wow," I breathe, my eyes wide with wonder. "It's even more beautiful than I remembered."

Evan laces his fingers through my own, and a spark of something electric races up my arm. "Yeah," he murmurs, his gaze never leaving my face. "You sure are."

I'm falling all over again, but this time, I don't try to fight it. Instead, I let myself lean into him, savoring the solid warmth of his body against mine.

I pull my hand away, tucking it into my pocket as I take a step back. "We should head back," I say, my voice too loud and too bright. "It's getting late, and I've got an early morning tomorrow."

"Okay, my Merry Berry, I'm not going anywhere, and I'm not letting you get away this time."