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I moved closer to her. “We haven’t had time, and honestly, I’m not a fan of the holidays. The farm, the shop, all of it turns me off from the season.”
Hanna frowned. “Doesn’t Ember want to decorate?”
“She does. I just haven’t felt like it with the move and then working long hours on the farm after my regular job.” I felt the weight of the season on my shoulders, and instead of trying to give Ember what she wanted, I’d shied away from it.
Hanna smiled, and it was so bright it hit me square in the chest. “I can help you decorate tomorrow.”
I felt some of the tension release between my shoulder blades. “Ember will love it, and I’d appreciate your help.”
“I was hoping I’d catch some of the magic of the season by living here. I’ve heard Ireland, Sarah, and Marley talk about how much they love the farm. It gets my mind off the reality of being homeless.”
I brushed a strand of hair off her shoulder. It was a move I never would have done before, but I was doing things differently. I couldn’t get the picture of her and that other man talking out of my head. She could be dating someone else very soon. I didn’t have much time. “You’re not homeless. You can always stay with me.”
I meant that literally. I didn’t see why there would be a rush for her to move out and get her own apartment. Not when she was comfortable here.
“Are you sure?” She turned slightly until we were standing close, too close for friends.
“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.” My heart picked up the pace inside my chest.
She swayed toward me slightly as she looked up at me. “You’re too good to me.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” I murmured, wondering if she would mind if I lowered my lips to hers. I’d finally know how she felt about me. If there wasn’t any chemistry, then I’d know once and for all. Standing this close to her, I felt electrified, as if her skin was giving off little sparks, and mine wanted to get closer to spark a flame. I had a feeling we could be explosive together.
Anytime I felt this way in the past, I shoved it aside, thinking I wanted something to be there that wasn’t. What could be more convenient than falling in love with your best friend?
“Did you want to watch a movie?” Hanna broke the intimate moment by stepping around me and toward the large sectional.
“Sure,” I said, trying not to feel disappointed that I’d missed the perfect opportunity to test the waters.
I tried to remember what occurred in those Hallmark movies Mom always had playing on the TV at her house. Someone was always drinking hot cocoa, and I had the fixings because Mom made sure we were stocked with that and decorations for the holidays. “Would you like hot chocolate?”
“I’d love some.” Hanna followed me into the kitchen, and I couldn’t help but feel like she belonged here, in her pajamas, with her hair loose around her shoulders. And it wasn’t because she’d always been in my life. She fit here. I’d never felt the way I felt for her with someone else. Not even Ember’s mother, who was more of a one-night stand that turned into several.
I filled a pot with milk and turned on the heat. I grabbed the bag of hot chocolate mix out of the pantry and measured out what we’d need into two mugs.
“I’m so happy for Marley. The party was amazing. I think the inn reopening is going to be great for her and the area.”
“I think so, too. For a while, Heath and Knox wanted to buy it, mainly to stop any development. I wasn’t sure we could afford to buy it, much less renovate the inn and reopen it. This is the best-case scenario. Marley revisited her past, made peace with it, and is now reopening her family’s legacy. She also reconnected with Heath.”
“It sounds like Marley reopening the inn was for the best.” Hanna leaned against the counter, the soft glow of the light illuminating her tan skin, making her blue eyes brighter, almost as if she were lit from within.
“It brought her and Heath together again, and that’s worth everything.” My voice felt rough with emotion. Ever since my father had had a heart attack a few years ago, I’d found myself wanting to be closer to my family. To cherish every moment with them. You never knew how long you had. I wanted Ember to experience what it was like to grow up in a big family, since I hadn’t been able to give her any siblings.
Hanna tipped her head to the side. “You think so?”
“You don’t?” I asked, curious to understand what she thought about love and relationships. It was a topic I’d avoided over the years. Occasionally, Hanna had confided in me if a date had gone bad, but otherwise, we didn’t discuss it.
“I didn’t realize you were such a romantic,” she said softly.
“I’m—” I almost said I’m not, but then I realized she liked what I’d said. I needed to show her more of that side of me, the one who wanted to be close to my family and was happy for my brothers for finding the love of their lives. “I guess I am.”
Her lips twitched. “I had no idea. I kind of like it.”
It wasn’t a declaration that she liked me, but it was a start. I knew I had a long way to go, but I’d take advantage of every opportunity to draw her closer. “I was overwhelmed with everything involved in raising Ember on my own, but now I can see that meeting their significant others was the best thing that could have happened to them.”
They’d mentioned several times that their women were drawn to the farm and the magic of the holiday season. Since we were a few weeks away from Christmas, I could use that knowledge and Hanna’s desire to enjoy the season to my advantage.
“Can you spend the day with us tomorrow? I make pancakes on Sundays, and then we spend the day in our pajamas.”
