He gestured toward a tree in the far back corner that could have been a dead ringer for her parent’s tree. She followed him toward the lush Fraser draped in red ribbon and white pearl garland.
January narrowed her eyes as she scanned each and every ornament, taking the time to walk around the tree twice until the perfect one came into her sight.
It was a delicate gold star inset with smaller stars. Nothing too fancy, but it would be a nice addition to their tree.
Without thinking, January opened her mouth and asked, “What about this one?”
She hadn’t realized how close the man had been standing next to her, January’s mind was focused on finding the gift for her parents. But with his new proximity, the smell of his cologne wafted beneath her nose. The sandalwood scent mixed with the fragrant smell of the tree left January in a haze until his arm brushed against hers as he pulls the ornament free from the branch.
“This is a beautiful piece. Good choice.”
She was afraid she was mistaken, but their closeness seemed to have affected him as well. His voice was deeper than before, grainier. In the back corner of the store, it was almost as if they’re in their own little world.
January looked up at him as he hung the star from his fingertips. “Thanks,” she whispered, licking her lips out of habit. His eyes darkened as they followed the path of her tongue.
“There you are!” a perky voice shouted from around the tree, startling both January and the man, almost causing him to drop the gift.
“January, did you find anything?” she asked and then turned her gaze to the stranger, her eyes widening as she took him in. “You sure did,” Samantha voiced without thinking.
Trying to diffuse the situation, January said, “Samantha, this is. . .” until she realized that she didn’t know his name. Luckily, he chirped in and extended his hand. “Deckard.”
“He was helping me find an ornament. He is the owner’s grandson,” she finished explaining.
Her friend’s face fell slightly, but then immediately reverted back to instant happiness as she took in the star ornament still dangling from Deckard’s fingers.
“Come on,” he suggested as he led them toward the registers. “I’ll ring you out. Now, I can have this engraved with something special for you, if you’d like. I can have it delivered tomorrow.”
January only paused for a moment before deciding that it would be a nice touch. “Sure, just something generic is fine. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays will work.”
He rang up the gift and the additional charge for the engraving, then the two women watched as Deckard tore off a green piece of paper and started making notations on the page.
“Okay, all I need now is a name and address for delivery,” he asked expectantly.
“January Douglas at 5 Belle Street, Pineville, Ohio.”
“Great. And now that I know your name and address, January, can I take you out for dinner tomorrow?”
She stared at him stupidly, wondering why this man would want to take out a Christmas grump like her.
“No, I have a boyfriend,” she said, hoping to knock the cocky man off his pedestal. But instead of looking put off, he appeared more determined; the gleam in his eyes glared brighter as he met her steely gaze.
“No, she doesn’t,” Samantha chimed in, and January began to consider sending her friend’s present back to the online store it came from.
Rolling her eyes, January adds, “I’m not interested.”
But, of course, her best friend wouldn’t let her off the hook that easily. “Yes, you are. Every woman within a ten-mile radius would be interested.”
“Stop talking, Samantha,” January chastised.
Deckard’s hand covered his mouth to keep the chuckles from escaping. Turning her gaze back to the man, January added, “Sorry, I’m just busy the next couple of days.”
“Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me. I’m sure we’ll run into each other during the festivities.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” she bemused loudly as she turned herself and Samantha toward the door.
Calling out to her once more, Deckard said, “I’m hoping to see you soon, January Douglas.”
With her hand pressed against the glass of the ajar door, January peered over her shoulder and did something completely unexpected.