“I might. A bit.” Steve felt a sheepish, goofy, grin creep across his face.
Gil laughed out loud. “So, she’s got you under her spell? Well, good for her. I thought you were going to avoid all women after—what was her name—Mary, Mindy, Molly…”
“Melissa.”
“Ah, yes. That was it. I figured when she dumped you, that was the last straw with you and women.”
It had been. For a long time. Melissa had patiently explained to him—after a year of dating—that while she’d a good time with him, he was too busy with his son and really, couldn’t he just leave Josh with a sitter every weekend so they could go out more?
Like that was ever going to happen.
Josh was his whole life. He enjoyed adult time here and there… but he and Josh were a package deal for the most part. Besides he’d finally realized that Melissa didn’t really even like his son. But the rejection, again, had still stung. He wasn’t sure what it was in his makeup that made women need to leave him and Josh in a cloud of dust.
“Don’t even go there, friend.” Gil looked at him.
“What?”
“Mandy Sue, Martha, Mary Lou —whatever— she isn’t even worth your regrets.”
“I don’t really regret that she dumped me. We weren’t right for each other.”
“No kidding. You realize she didn’t even like kids, right?”
“I figured that out eventually.” Steve shook his head. He’d been such a clueless fool with Melissa.
“Women do seem to complicate your life, but what are you going to do? They still are sure fun to have around.” Gil grinned at him. “And from what I can tell, you’re enjoying having Holly around.”
“I am. But it’s just for a few weeks while Doc Benson is gone.”
“I saw that goofy look on your face. It’s about time you took another chance.”
Josh came running up to them before Gil could give him any more of his lecture. Good timing, kiddo.
“Hi, Mr. Amaud. I found the perfect tree for Miss Holly. Come on, Dad.”
Josh tugged at his hand and Steve smiled at his son’s enthusiasm.
“Okay, show us the tree, son.”
Gil and Steve trailed across the Christmas tree lot in the wake the energy tornado that was his son.
* * * * *
That night Holly, Steve, and Josh sat in front of the newly decorated Christmas tree. They had a nice dinner of sandwiches, soup, and slices of pie from The Magnolia Cafe.
She’d actually enjoyed the evening. If someone would have told her a week ago she’d be decorating a tree for her place this year, she would have bet them a million dollars they were wrong.
“Can I go in Aunt Lucy’s bedroom and watch TV? There’s a movie I want to watch.” Josh looked at his dad.
“That okay with you? Will he be into your things?” Steve turned to her.
“No, that’s fine.”
“Can I sit on the bed?”
“It’s okay with me.” Holly answered.
“Take your shoes off first.” Steve nailed his son with an I’m-talking-to-you look.
“I will. Come on Louie. Let’s go.” Josh left the room, tugging off his shoes and hopping from foot to foot in the process as he went down the hallway. She heard the television come on in the bedroom.
“Wish I had a tenth of his energy.” Holly twisted to face Steve on the couch, her leg tucked up to one side.
“He has boundless energy. I wish he’d share.” Steve grinned that just-for-her grin he used to lower her defenses. She was sure that was what he was doing.
“You know, all day I’ve been thinking about kissing you again.” Steve looked directly at her.
Her heart beat a little faster in an uneven rhythm. “You have?”
“Yep. But I thought I’d tell you I was going to kiss you this time. So you know. No surprises.”
“Very considerate.”
“I’m a considerate kind of guy.” He moved over closer to her on the couch and leaned over to kiss her.
The kiss didn’t come as a surprise, he’d warned her, but her reaction did. She kissed him back and threaded her hands through his hair. She wasn’t sure she ever wanted him to stop. He gently cradled her face with both his hands, the warmth from them blending with the flush she felt on her cheeks.
He finally pulled back and gave a little growl. “I’ve been wanting that. It was better than I remembered.”
“Was it?” Yes, it was. She’d admit that to herself. It was wonderful and perfect and she wanted another one. Although she could still hear the faint warning bells in the back of her mind, she chased them away, leaned over, and pulled him close again. He obliged with a deep, heated kiss, with his hands running up and down her arms.