Christmas in His Bed

Tomorrow. California. Leaving. She hoped, with time and distance, she could finally let go of Spencer. She couldn’t exactly start over if she was holding on to the past. “Not quite.”

“What time is your flight?” Lucy asked.

“Seven thirty,” Tatum answered.

“On Christmas Day?” Lucy frowned. “You could have waited.”

“I didn’t know how depressing this year would be,” Tatum admitted, sitting at the kitchen table.

“Not as bad as you thought it would be?” Lucy asked.

Tatum shook her head, smiling. Until now, it’d been great.

“Do you need a ride to the airport?” Lucy asked.

“No,” Spencer said from the kitchen doorway, bleary-eyed and yawning. “I’m taking her.”

“Well, hello, sleeping beauty,” Lucy said. “Did we wake you with all of our cleaning?”

He smiled. “It’s done. Looks like I woke up just in time.”

Tatum couldn’t hold back her answering smile. She didn’t want tonight to be awkward. It was Christmas Eve, after all.

“Where’s everyone else?” he asked.

“The movie ended about an hour ago,” Tatum offered. “Zach and Patton were breaking down the extra tables and chairs at your mom’s place.”

“You slept through all that work too,” Lucy said.

“My evil plan worked,” Spencer said, turning the full force of his blue eyes on Tatum.

Tatum’s heart thudded.

“Guess I’ll be heading out,” Lucy said, hugging Tatum. “Merry Christmas. I’ll see you in Colorado for the wedding?”

Tatum nodded. “Can’t wait. Thank you,” she said, hugging Lucy.

She closed the door and turned to find Spencer leaning against the door frame.

“You don’t have to stay up,” she said. “I know how tired you are. Go to bed.”

His eyes widened. “I will.” He pushed off the wall. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine.” She was tired and achy but she still needed to pack.

“Can I help?” he asked, following her as she flipped off all the lights.

She shook her head. “No. I just want to sit for a minute.” She sat on the couch, staring into the fire.

He sat on the couch arm, not saying anything.

“I’ve got a taxi coming in the morning, Spencer.”

“I’ll take you.” His voice rolled over her, warm and sure.

“No. Thank you.” She scowled at him, laying her head back on the couch cushions.

He sat beside her, his proximity having an immediate effect on her. So did the concern in his voice as he asked, “Your head hurting?”