“Now I have to apologize,” she said.
He kissed her nose. “I’m waiting.”
Heather’s lips parted, but she only rubbed more flour on Allen’s nose. He instead grabbed the excess flour from the bowl and tossed it at her.
“You didn’t?” She grinned, giving into her giggles.
“Merry Christmas.”
Heather shook her head giving the dough one last mix. Then she had him cut off a piece of shrink wrap. Once they wrapped it up inside, they set it inside her refrigerator.
She wiped her hands together. “Now we wait.”
“What should we do?”
“Help me clean up.” She pointed to the floor dusted with flour.
Allen winked at her and retrieved the broom for her. He swept while she wiped the counters. Once they finished, he gazed at her.
“We still have some time, right?”
Heather tapped her fingers to her lips. “Have you seen The Man Who Came to Dinner?”
Allen shook his head. “It sounds old.”
Heather squinted her eyes at him. “Some call it a classic.”
“I still say old.”
She tossed a dishtowel at him but he only caught it. “Should I be concerned that you always throw things at me?”
“It wasn’t a frying pan.”
He laughed. “Thank goodness.”
Heather leaned against the counter. Her eyes sparkled and her smile was much more genuine than when she opened the door. Allen inched closer and stood in front of her. Heather leaned even further back, and he placed both hands on either side of her.
“I don’t remember you being this bold when I first met you.” She touched his arm.
“I think you’re rubbing off on me.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You like it?”
He didn’t answer but kissed her lips. Embracing her waist, he held her close. Heather didn’t push him away. His heart pounded inside his chest as her lips caressed his. He never wanted the moment to end. Electrical jolts shot through him.
Her arms drifted from his neck, only to trace his throat with her fingers. Allen’s breath caug
ht as they glided back up, but this time to his face. As Heather’s fingers caressed his beard, his knees weakened. How did she undo him every time?
His hands ran over her back just as her hands pressed into his chest. Heather tilted her head, and Allen recaptured her mouth in another lingering kiss. When her doorbell rang, Heather pulled away. Her forehead wrinkled, but he heard her exhale.
“You expecting someone else?” Allen asked.
She shook her head, escaping his embrace. He followed only to see Elena Gomez at the front door holding her baby Gabriela.
“I know you can’t get around much, but I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. My grandfather fell and I need someone to watch Gabby,” Elena said. She bit her lip.
“Sure,” Heather said, holding out her hands for the baby.