Page 69 of A Newport Christmess

“So he just told you and left? Or did anything else noteworthy happen?”

“Maybe.”

“Girl, spill it.”

“Which kiss do you want to hear about? Tonight’s or last night’s?”

“Hold up. He kissed you last night?”

“Yeah. Well, I kind of kissed him first, but he really kissed me after that.”

“Shut the front door! And you’re just telling me about it now?”

I picked up the phone and walked into the kitchen, grabbing the extra icing to refill my nearly empty bag. “I was exhausted—”

“From your make-out session?”

“We didn’t make out. We only kissed for a minute or two.”

“Anything in the minute range is totally a make-out session.”

I scooped a spoonful of icing into the bag and pressed it down to one end. “Do you want to hear about it or not?”

“Shutting up.”

I added another scoop and twisted the end of the piping bag. “It was sweet and perfect ... and maybe a little passionate. Then the power came back on, and—”

“You switched the lights back off?” Hope filled her voice.

I laughed. “No. I only have three more days until all the centerpieces need to be done. I’m nervous I won’t get them done as it is.”

“Stupid work getting in the way of your kissing.” Ashlee laughed. “Speaking of the centerpieces, though, that video you posted ... did Landon film it?”

“I didn’t realize that’s what he was doing when he was recording me.”

“Oh, my gosh. I just got chills. You two love each other.”

My heart fluttered at her declaration. “We’ve known each other less than two weeks, and half that time, he hardly talked to me. So no, I’m pretty sure neither of us loves the other.”

“Pretty sure?”

“It’s been fun, and I like him. A lot.”

“So ... what’s the problem?”

“It just feels like it’s happening too fast. I mean, when I’m with him, I want it to happen faster, but then he leaves, and I start second-guessing everything.”

“Like what?”

“Like whether I’m emotionally ready for another relationship. Until a few days ago, I was still pining over Cody and our failed marriage, and now it feels like I’m setting myself up for another failure—that as soon as Landon realizes what a mess I am, he’ll be running as fast as he can away from me.”

“I thought you’ve been super open with Landon about everything.”

“I’ve tried to be, but me informing him of my issues and him actually seeing them are not the same thing.”

“You know what I think?”

“Hmmm?”