Page 62 of Deck the Hauls

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

EMILY

I stared at the mattress we’d dragged in front of the fire.

Would I sleep at all, lying so close to Dana? I grabbed the pillows from the floor and placed them at the head of the mattress, shooting a glance at Dana.

How was Dana feeling? Based on her kiss, she must find me at least a little attractive. My stomach fizzed with excitement.

“Oh,” Dana said, glancing at the two pillows next to each other, “I can sleep on the couch.”

Oh thank god. I hadn’t even thought of that. I twisted my head. Although...the couch was shorter than both of us and wasn’t exactly flat. Whoever slept on that would have a rough night. The sensible option was us just sharing the mattress, even if it came with its own challenges. Like spending all night only inches away from Dana.

I took a breath. I wasn’t like Austin or Phillip. I could control myself. “There’s no way you’ll be able to stretch out on it. This mattress is big enough for both of us.”

“Are you sure?” Dana asked.

No, not at all.

“Yes, of course.” I lowered myself down and snuggled under the duvet. I would be more than warm enough with the crackling fire, Dana’s borrowed blue flannel pajamas, and the thick duvet.

Dana dropped her pillow on the other side and slipped under the covers. I rolled to look at her. Her face had a golden tint from the soft glow of the fire.

“This is so cozy,” I said. “Reminds me of the slumber parties I used to have as a kid.”

Although, I was never attracted to my friends like this. I swallowed. I also never kissed my friends.

Dana’s grin was slightly crooked. God, I really wanted to kiss her again. Press my lips against hers, taste her, run my hands through her hair. No more kissing Emily.

“It is nice.” She gazed at me. “Even though it’s not under the best circumstances, I’m not mad about getting to spend some extra time together. I’m going to miss you.”

I held Dana’s gaze, my pulse quickening. “Same.”

I inched a little closer to her, my eyes dropping to her lips. I really shouldn’t...

Dana bit her lip. “So... About... About our kiss before…”

I swallowed, my heart thumping in my ears. Was Dana about to tell me it was a horrible mistake? It was a mistake.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while,” she finally murmured.

My brain froze. What?

“You have?” My smile flickered for a moment as I tried to hold it back, but then I couldn’t contain it anymore. I grinned. And since Dana had just confessed her own feelings… “Well… Well, I’ve wanted to do it since before I met you.”

“Before?” Dana raised an eyebrow, her lips quirked into a half grin.

Heat rushed to my face. Was it too much to confess? “Since I saw you chopping wood.”

“Oh, really?” Dana’s gaze intensified.

I wriggled closer so our faces were only inches apart, nervous excitement pulsing through me. We were dangerously close now.

“I don’t think you realize how incredible you look chopping wood.” I let out a shaky breath, half laugh, half nerves. “I’ve been trying to ignore it, convince myself we’re just friends.”

Behind me, the fire made a loud popping noise, before returning to its rhythmic cracking.

“I’ve been doing the same,” Dana murmured. “I didn’t think you liked me like that, and even if you did, the fact that you’re leaving tomorrow, that you live in Brooklyn...I’ve been telling myself it just wouldn’t be practical.”