“I’m heading out, do you want to grab some dinner?” Samantha asked, even though January knew that Samantha had plans with her boyfriend.
“Thanks for the offer, but I actually need to run over to Nick’s Knacks.”
Samantha’s face lit up and January knew what her friend was thinking.
“No, not to see Deckard. Well, I mean, yes, I am going to see him, but it’s because there was something wrong with the package he dropped off this morning.”
“He was at your house this morning? He personally delivered the ornament?” she squeaked, sounding like a mouse being chased by a cat, but instead of fear, it was elation.
“Yes, but he was just being nice.”
“Maybe you two can go out on that date he asked for yesterday.” She smirked at her statement. A devilish grin spreading across her lips.
“I don’t want to go on a date with Deckard,” January lied even though she know Samantha would be able to detect it. Whenever January wasn’t telling the truth, she made non-blinking eye contact. She was the opposite of other people that diverted their attention away during a lie. January always looked someone dead in the eye. The no blinking tended to scare some people. It was her tell, and she knew it. So did Samantha.
And January had definitely fibbed because she couldn’t deny that she was attracted to Deckard. He was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome, with pale blue eyes that reminded her of the sky right after a snowfall. He made her heart and stomach flutter, which both elated and terrified her.
Those darn butterflies had no business taking up residence, January bemused to herself.
What she wanted was to feel Deckard’s strong arms wrapped around her and feel his smooth skin resting against hers. Feel the press of his full lips as they melded with hers in a heated kiss.
January could feel her cheeks flush at her inner thoughts and she hoped that Samantha missed it.
“I’m just going to ask him a question, leave, and heat up something in the microwave at home. I need to pull out my box of ornaments from the attic for the tree decorating at my parents’ house tomorrow.”
“Fine. I’ll let it go this time. But I think you should give Deckard a shot. Think of how cute your babies would be?”
“Wow, you’re definitely getting ahead of yourself. Plus, he’s just here to help out his grandparents during the holidays. He’s not staying in Pineville.”
“But he could if someone that was kind and beautiful asked him to stay.”
Chuckling to herself, January added, “Good luck finding her. I’ll be leaving right behind you.”
Samantha shook her long brown locks as she left the office and January did her best to tidy up her desk before heading out, but her mind was focused on the images of her and Deckard lying naked in her bed. It was just her imagination, but it was one heck of a fantasy.
~
The chime of a bell sounded as January stepped over the threshold of Nick’s Knacks. The teenager from the other day stood behind the register ringing up a customer as January slipped toward the back of the store in search of Deckard.
She thought it would take a while to locate him, especially if he was in the back doing inventory or stocking up. But she should have known that he would be easy to spot. Deckard was standing next to Santa’s mailbox handing out candy canes to the little boys and girls as they placed their letters in the red metal box.
January thought better of interrupting him, but as she took a few steps backward to obscure herself from his sight, she ran into the end cap of one of the aisles knocking down a display of snow scrapers.
She knew better than to look up at him as she tried to shove
the scrapers back to their original placements, but for every one she was able to get to stand up another fell.
“Here, let me,” his deep voice washed over her and January’s breath caught in her throat.
“Thanks,” she wheezed.
She watched as Deckard flawlessly stacked the scrapers back onto the end cap – not a single one tilted or appeared to fall. Even the pieces of plastic obeyed his command.
When every piece was aligned perfectly, they stood up in unison, and January was fascinated to see Deckard’s eyes stray downward as if he was reserved. “I won’t lie, I’m kind of surprised to see you right now.”
Darn, I should apologize for this morning, January contemplated.
“I. . .uh. . .can be a bit moody in the morning.”