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She gnawed on her lip. “There have been some developments with that story I’m working on. I have to get back to New York early. I’ll try to be done by Christmas, but it depends on how long the interviews take. But if I do and I get what I think I’m going to get, I should be back for the holiday and have one hell of a good story to start writing for the next month or two. Okay?”
I scrubbed at my beard. “You’re telling me that if I let you go early, you’ll come back before Christmas and stay through February?”
She lifted one shoulder. “I mean, yeah, I could. I know you like your solitude, but—”
“No! I want you here!” It came out as a shout.
She faced me and placed her warm palm on my chest. “Then let me go, Chief.”
I pulled her in for a tight hug.
Thinking through the schedule, I knew the jet would be free after the weekend. “Monday. Just stay until the first of the week and I’ll have a plane for you.”
She pushed back enough. “Can’t. Have to get back for an interview on Sunday. Don’t worry about it.”
I squeezed her harder, not ready to let her go. But she pushed back and out of my arms. “Phoebe, stay.”
She gave me a weak smile. “Can’t.”
How was it that we had so much time together and yet never really saw each other? How did I miss out on having the conversation with her about how I felt? She was leaving, so now wasn’t the right time.
As we said hello to our friends, I tried to put on a happier face for her. She was getting somewhere on her story. That was good, right? If she gathered up all the research and wrote a kickass story, then she could sell it to a news source around here. It could be her big break. And then maybe I could get her to move here. With me. Forever. The thought hit me square in the chest.
Phoebe released my hand so she could ooh and ah over Kiley’s decorations like any good guest would. I was exhausted from speaking as much as I had just on the way here. So, I grabbed a bottle of water and headed for the group of men gathered over by the scarecrow.
When Hank and Maddy came and more teammates filtered in, the placement of the decorations and stringing of lights was all forgotten. We bumped fists, talked past games, and found reasons to laugh.
From my place with the guys, I kept an eye on Phoebe. She settled in with the women in their little group and I was happy to see it. Maybe if she had friends here, it would make her want to stay longer after Christmas. I knew better than to think I would be the sole reason she would come stay here. She needed her own social circle. Her own life she built for herself.
Just then she looked up and caught me staring. I tipped my chin to her. A smile crept across her lips and then the other women followed her gaze to me giving me little finger waves. Admittedly, it was awkward, but I didn’t look away. She looked incredible in that dress, especially from a distance where I could see those tall boots. I soaked up the image of her, now knowing my time with her was limited. This would have to hold me for about a month. Because I was spending Christmas with her. Even if I had to fly to New York to do it.
“You in there?” Calder said, bumping my shoulder.
My eyes darted to Calder. “What?”
“Look around,” he prompted.
The table of men were staring at me.
I narrowed my eyes at them. “What?”
Chris chuckled. “You’ve got it bad.”
I grunted.
Milo tilted his head. “When are you going to tell her how you feel?”
I shook my head. “Can’t now. She’s leaving.”
Calder looked panicked. “When?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Probably tomorrow. She booked a flight before we came here.”
“Damn it!” Molly said whacking my arm and dragging a chair up next to me. “What’d you do?”
I narrowed my eyes. “I didn’t do anything. It’s the story she’s working on. She’s got interviews and shit.”
Molly lowered her gaze to the floor and sighed. “She’s coming back soon, right?”
