Tangled with the Tight End (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)

Chapter 8

eight

NORAH

I squat in front of Gino, zipping his coat to his neck. “It’s cold outside, but the two stores I want to show you are warm, okay?”

“Ready.” He beams, making my heart flop in my chest. I’ve always wanted kids, and with Eden having Angelo, that only increased the ache in my chest. But my prospects for marriage and a family flew out the window when my ex refused to come back. It’s either marry Sawyer, move away, or have a meet-cute up at the lodge with a gorgeous stranger who can’t get enough of me and sacrifices everything to stay in Evergreen Lake for eternity.

“Let’s go.” I rise to my full standing position to find Gabriel watching us with his hands shoved into his pockets. Okay, I’ve already had the meet-cute with the gorgeous stranger, but the likelihood that he’s going to become obsessed with me is miniscule, so miniscule that he didn’t want me to walk down the street with him and his son.

As if he’s coming out of a haze, Gabriel slaps on a smile. “Where to?”

“Turn to the right when we go outside. I want to show you something.”

I make a move toward the door, but he rushes past me and opens it. “After you.”

As I brush past him, I inhale the scent of his cologne and shiver. I thought freshly baked cookies and scones smelled delicious, but they aren’t the only things I’d like to slather in icing and devour.

He’s leaving town. He can’t wait to resume his career. His wife was a model. Long legs. Thin. Big boobs. Enormous green eyes. And blonde hair. I should know what she looks like because last night I searched for him and his wife on the internet and nearly cried. They looked perfect together on the beach in Florida. A guy like him is not going to go from that to me.

We’re silent as we trudge toward the first place I want to show them. If it was Gabriel and I alone, I’d take him to the Sips on Main, a couple of streets away, for a more adult conversation, but we have Gino with us. Gabriel’s jaw flexes as he strides beside me. “Is your knee, okay?”

He shifts his head around to face me. “Why do you ask?”

“You look like you’re in pain.” Either he’s hurting, or he’s miserable that he’s having to spend the day with me. Remember that when you go to sleep tonight so you don’t wake up from dreams of rolling around under a Christmas tree with him with wrapping paper stuck to your ass.

“I’m fine.” He relaxes his shoulders.

The sidewalk is clear except for a few streaks of caked-on snow, but the ground is hard under my boots. When we step down to the street, our footsteps squish in the slushy tire tracks. At night, the remaining snow freezes, and during the day, when the sun warms the snow, everything turns to dirt mush.

“Gino.” I grab his shoulder to gain his attention.

“Yes?” His inquisitive eyes search mine.

“I have a surprise for you.”

“What?” He claps his hands and hops up and down.

“There’s a pond just over here.” I point past the edge of the road to a slight incline. The pond isn’t visible unless you’re in a vehicle. “It’s used as a skating pond in the winter. The hockey coaches use it for skating practice and games, but it’ll open for public use on December 6 th .”

“See it?” He switches his attention from me to his father.

“I don’t know.”

“It’s fine.” I place my hand on the coat covering his forearm. “It’s safe. I saw some of the teams practicing last weekend. The water is frozen, and his boots aren’t too slick. If you’re worried, he can stay near the edge.”

“Okay, but be careful.”

“Yes!” Gino pumps his fist in the air again and runs over the berm.

“He’ll be fine.” I squeeze tighter. “Come see. I’ve been skating on the pond since I was barely older than Gino.”

“Fine,” he huffs as if it’s against his better judgment. “I trust you.”

And with those words, my knees buckle. He grasps my gloved hand in his and drags me in Gino’s footsteps. Although ours are four times his size.

My boot slips, causing me to lose my balance, but Gabriel saves me from falling. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine.” His eyes are hooded as they meet mine.

Once again, I’m close enough to inhale his scent, only this time, I’ve not recovered from the first time, and the hairs on my arms and my nipples war with each other to see who can stand more erect.

I step back, breaking the connection. This is your best friend’s brother-in-law. He’s not a free ride at the carnival. I nearly snort. The rides at the carnival aren’t even free. You must pay too much to buy those stupid bracelets to have unlimited rides or run out of tickets after ten minutes.

When we reach the top, we find Gino safely skidding from one section of the pond to another, Gabriel winks. “I trust you as long as I can see him.”

“Understood.” Everything from my fingers to my toes is on high alert. Even though our palms aren’t touching, I feel his heat as his covered hand engulfs mine, leaving me feeling small and dainty.

“Be careful, Gino.” I shake my hand to loosen his grip. I need to step back and stop with the childish schoolgirl fantasies that’re threatening to make me look like a fool.

“I will.” He doesn’t bother looking up as he spins in a circle near the edge.

“What’s up with you and Sawyer?” His voice is tense as he zips his coat higher up his neck.

“I’ve known him since grade school.” I chuckle. “He used to eat glue in kindergarten.”

“Sounds like a good catch.” He shoves his hands into the pockets of his ski jacket.

“He’s not that bad.’ The instant he tosses out an insult, my back and shoulders stiffen. “Sawyer is a good guy. He’s kind to his mother. He works as a loan officer at his father’s car lot. And he lives here in Evergreen Lake.”

“And that’s your criteria for a man?” He pauses for a second and waves. “Gino, come back this way.”

“Yes, Daddy.” Gino’s eyes twinkle as he nears the edge. Not that he’s been any farther than a couple of feet into the pond.

“My checklist for a man isn’t your business.” Irritation surges through me. I know he’s not impressed with our town. Or me, for that matter, but hearing him vocalize his distaste irritates me. “But yes, that’s my criteria. I love it here. This is where I grew up and where I run a business. My ex-boyfriend was from here, and he broke up with me because he didn’t want the quaint and comfy life. He wanted me to stay in Vegas after college, but I refused. And tourists, who can’t wait to leave….” I shrug my shoulders. “They’re also out. I dated a guy who was here to visit his aunt last year, but he stuck to his word and left.”

The longer I talk, the more depressed I become. My life is pathetic. I’ll never be enough for a man to choose first.

“I’m sorry.” He squeezes my shoulder.

“Don’t.” I glare and grit my teeth. “Your pity is not part of my long-term goals either. I’m happy.” I wave my hand around me. “I’m fulfilled, and I don’t need advice from a man who’s only going to be here for a few weeks, and you….” ‘Care nothing about me’ is on the tip of my tongue but I shut it down before I look like a neurotic flake. “Don’t understand anything about living here.”

I’m an idiot rambling on. Who am I trying to convince? Him? Or myself? “Marrying Sawyer wouldn’t be that bad.”

Darkness weighs heavy on me even though the sun shines on the snow-covered pond, making it hard to see without squinting. A deer jumps out of the thicket of evergreen trees, stands motionless as it watches us with weary eyes, ducks its tail, turns, and runs back into the woods.

He faces me and arches an eyebrow. “Does he make your heart skip a beat? Does his touch make your knees buckle? How about the hairs on your arms? Do they stand when he touches your cheek?” His blue eyes bore into mine as he shoves off his glove and cups my cheek.

My entire body trembles as his thumb brushes over my cheekbone. I swallow over the dryness in my throat as I bite back a whimper. It’s been so long since I’ve been touched by a man. “If the answer is no, can you spend the rest of your life settling for second best?”

The rough pad of his thumb strokes my cheek, and it takes every ounce of strength I have not to melt into him. This would lead to the same place my time with Brad did. Alone and miserable.

Only I never felt a spark to my toes when Brad touched me. He was a rebound from getting dumped by Ethan. Some fun and if I’m being honest, I didn’t cry one tear when he left. This could destroy me. This could destroy my friendship with Eden.

I clear my throat and step back, causing his arm to drop to his side. “I don’t think I should listen to advice from a man who’s only here for a visit. A married man who’s only here for a visit.”

“Point received and taken.” His shoulders are stiff as he steps back, putting more distance between us than is needed and causing a cold chill to skate down my spine. Somehow, it’s even colder now than it was, and there isn’t a hint of breeze today.

“Gino, let’s go.” Gabriel’s voice is gruff as he calls his son over.

“Toy store!”

“Yeah, Son.” He grips his shoulder. “Let’s go. Norah is going to head back to the bistro. I think we can handle the tour on our own, from here.”

His dismissal cuts me to the core. What did I expect? I insulted him and pushed him away. Of course, he’s going to push back. His comments were probably out of respect for his brother and Eden anyway. He wouldn’t want to hear from them that I was miserable.

“Ah….” Gino’s bottom lip pokes out and wobbles as he grips my hand. “Don’t go work. Go play with us.”

My heart drops at the anguish on Gino’s face. “I’ll go with you.” I squeeze his hand. I’m not going to disappoint him. He’s been through enough already.

“Yes!” He swings his arm, causing mine to sway in front of me and then behind me. “Daddy?” He reaches his other hand out and waits.

“Sure thing, slugger.” He grips his hand and winks at him. “Anything for you.”

Football tight ends with adorable three-year-old sons should be illegal.