A Mistletoe Kiss for the Single Dad by Traci Douglass

Author:Traci Douglass
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-07-10T15:49:09+00:00

* * *

The ride back to Bayside was quiet, both of them apparently deep in thought. Or, in Nick’s case, feeling a bit hollow after getting all his emotions off his chest at the restaurant. In their wake was a restless energy, pinballing around inside him, making him unsure what to say now. As they took the exit to Business Highway 31 leading into Bayside, Nick glanced over at Belle, trying to gauge her mood. “I enjoyed tonight. Thanks for listening to my rambling.”

“Thanks for telling me.” Belle looked over at him.

He flipped on the turn signal to make a right onto Hancock Street. “I’m glad we got it all out there. Cleared the air. It was very therapeutic.”

Belle snorted. “Gah! Therapeutic? There’s a word most people never want to hear on a date.”

“Date?” He pulled up at the curb in front of Belle’s house and parked his SUV, cutting the engine but keeping the heater running as he grinned over at her through the shadows. Not that he needed any help. Nick was feeling pretty warm already. He unwrapped and shoved one of the mints from the restaurant in his mouth before handing one to Belle too. “Is this a date?”

Belle didn’t answer, just ate her mint and stared out the window beside her, making no move to leave. “Dinner was delicious. Back in Beverly Hills I’m usually eating on the run, racing from one procedure to the next. I try to make the healthiest choices.”

“Another reason I’m glad I left Atlanta behind.” Nick frowned. “Not the healthy choices. The eating on the run.”

“Right.” She sighed and her smile turned bitter-sweet. “Well, I guess this is good night.”

Belle put her hand on the door handle and Nick turned slightly to face her, resting one arm atop the steering wheel.

“Wait, Belle,” he said, stopping her, his pulse jackhammering in his ears. It was now or never, and he couldn’t remember ever wanting another woman more than he wanted Belle at that moment. Even if it was all temporary. Maybe because it was all temporary. “I’d like to keep doing this, with you, for as long as you’re here.” At her confused look, he said, “Seeing each other, I mean. I’m out of practice with the whole dating thing, but I’m afraid if I don’t take the chance now, you’ll go running back to California on Christmas Day and I’ll regret it.”

“I’m not running anywhere, Nick. California is my home.” Belle slumped back in her seat and stared straight ahead. “Please don’t think I’m not tempted, but we’re both dealing with a lot right now. I don’t want us to be just another complication. Last night you were mired in guilt over your wife’s death and the promise you made to her. What changed?”

“I’m not sure.” Liar. He knew exactly what had changed. That kiss. He exhaled slowly and stared out the windshield, trying to articulate all the feelings roiling around inside him—apprehension, anticipation, need, nervousness. “I’ve been living alone for nearly two years now, slogging through my days, thinking it was enough.

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