“Yes.”
“You two close?”
“She’s my best friend. What about you? Any brothers?”
“No, only child over here. My cousin Desmond is like a brother, so that counts for me.”
“Desmond as in Desmond Anderson?”
“My dad is his mom’s brother,” Allen said.
“Wow.” Heather’s lips parted.
“I know. He’s a character.”
She giggled. “Yeah, I think that sums it up. He and Morgan are made for each other.”
“I’m glad he met her. She keeps him grounded.”
“You seeing anyone?” Heather’s eyes widened the moment the words left her mouth. What did she care if he was involved with someone? Did she see a ring? What did it matter? “Sorry. You don't have to answer that.”
“To answer your question, no,” he said. He turned the corner into her neighborhood. “What about you?”
“No.” Heather tucked some loose hairs from her ponytail behind her ear.
“So this town goes all out for Christmas?”
“Best time of the year I think. Not your thing?”
“It used to be.”
“What changed?” Another prying question. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
He didn’t look at her. “It’s not a big deal.”
Heather nodded as he pulled into her driveway. She unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle. “I can get out on my own.”
Allen hurried to her side and helped
her down. With his hands at her waist, she slowly descended until her good foot met the ground. Heather licked her lips as she looked up at Allen. His hands fell from her waist. She inhaled his manly scent once more only to clear her throat.
“Okay. Well, thank you.”
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “You’re welcome.”
“So… I’ll see you…”
“Tomorrow.”
She waved as she walked to her front door as best she could. She didn’t look back.
***
Allen returned to his truck with a faint grin on his face. What a night. Nothing could have prepared him for putting together a hot cocoa stand or little Emily who took to him and asked him random questions throughout the night. One in particular, “are you married?” Thankfully, her mother called her over to help her with the candy cane painting. He still wasn’t used to it. Would he ever be?
Then Heather’s mother volunteered him to drive her daughter home. He didn’t argue with Ms. Diana. In fact, he welcomed the challenge. He could tell Heather was a firecracker. She said what was on her mind but was still compassionate enough to admit her mistakes. When she called him over to talk, her apology took him aback.
On the ride to her house, he avoided her gaze on purpose. Her eyes sparkled to the point he could stare all day. Pulling up to her house, he didn’t shrink back and asked if she needed help to get inside.