Christmas Therapy
Page 91
“Yes. Not to mention watching the baby.”
“She's asleep. I promise.” He stroked her back and kissed her mouth once more.
Heather didn't stop him but wrapped her arms around his neck. Allen turned his body, and she leaned against the counter. She forgot about the brace on her knee. She ignored the weakness in her legs from his embrace. Instead, she moved her hands to cup his face.
Then the doorbell rang again. Allen groaned against her mouth, and then rested his head on her shoulder. Heather giggled. He then raised his head and pressed his forehead against hers. “One of these days I’m going to kiss you and not be interrupted.”
Chapter 20
Heather’s palm sweated as she sat in Allen’s passenger seat. This was a milestone for her to bring her boyfriend to dinner. Boyfriend? They weren’t an official couple, were they? Sonia thought so.
She laid her head against the headrest. She could do this. Heather wanted to see where things headed between them. She breathed easier when Allen took one of her hands in his.
“I’m the one who should be nervous,” he said.
Heather swallowed despite her dry mouth. “I’m not nervous. It’s not like my mother will poison you.”
“What?”
She giggled. “I’m kidding. I know you’ll be great.”
He had to be. He had to prove her wrong. She was tired of getting it wrong with men. Could there be one man she could trust?
Heather wanted to believe in what she and Allen had. The question was, what did they have? She looked over at him. Even his side profile was handsome. She licked her lips.
“Can I ask you something?” She pivoted in her seat to face him.
“Like what?”
“What are we? Are we dating? Is this an exclusive thing?”
“I like you.”
She sighed. “I like you too, but what does that mean?”
Allen pulled into her mother’s shoveled driveway and cut the engine. His eyes met hers. “It means that I’m dating you. I’m not interested in anyone else.”
“I hope you still feel that way when you get to know my family.” Heather then spotted a cloud of warm air curling out of her mother's chimney.
“You have bodies buried in the backyard or something?”
She giggled but leaned in closer. “You saw Fried Green Tomatoes, didn't you? I hope you don't mind.”
His mouth fell open but his grin gave him away. He cupped her cheek. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
Heather twisted her mouth as he stroked her chin. Leaning in for a kiss, a knock on the window startled them. Heather shrieked jerking in her seat. They turned to see Sonia waving at them, bundled in her hat and gloves.
“You can make out later,” she said, gesturing for them to come inside.
Heather unclicked her seatbelt. “You sure you know what you’re getting into?”
His eyes sparkled with affection. “I guess I have to wait and see.”
***
“Have you always wanted to be in physical therapy?” Heather’s mother asked.
Heather cut into her Dijon chicken, her knife scraping against her plate.