Chapter 2
LILLIAN
I tug at the hem of the red satin dress Olivia practically forced me to borrow.
It’s a smidge shorter than I’m used to wearing.
The thin spaghetti straps and sweetheart neckline show a lot of skin, but the perfect amount of cleavage.
My breasts look fantastic. And the ruching around the waist hides the post-pregnancy body changes that I never really got rid of.
Not that I really care. No one sees me naked. Except now.
Wait. Do I want Lucas to see me naked?
I think of his green-blue eyes that remind me of tide pools and how his sweater showed off his broad shoulders.
Maybe I want to see Lucas naked.
It’s been a while since I’ve gone on a date, but my excitement is overwhelming all the first date jitters.
I’ve been swamped with end-of-year reports for a dozen small businesses in town, and juggling making sure Poppy has an eventful holiday break.
Money has been tight this year, and I’ve already had to scale way back on what our normal holiday festivities include.
Ah, the life of a freelance accountant who’s also a single mom.
I look at my clock for the millionth time. I’m dressed and ready to go. There’s still plenty of time to drop Poppy off and drive to the restaurant. Kastle Harbor is such a small town that driving anywhere takes less than ten minutes.
I hear laughter coming from Poppy’s room, so I grab a black cardigan sweater and find a matching purse in my closet.
“Hey Pops, are you ready to head to Riley’s?” I catch her reading instead of packing a bag. “Do you need help?” Her curly red hair is smushed down by a velvet Santa hat and she’s chosen to wear overalls with a blue striped shirt underneath.
“I’m packed,” she points to a very full backpack. I spy a teddy bear arm stuck in the zipper.
“Okay,” I hesitantly reply as I pick up the bag and open it. I thumb through everything and make sure she has at least clothes and a toothbrush. There are also several small books and some candy canes tucked inside.
“Ready to go, Squirt?” I sling the bag over my shoulder and extend my hand. She wraps her tiny one around mine and we head off.
At Kristen and Seth’s house Riley squeals with joy when she sees Poppy. Kristen and I chuckle at the small but loud duo as they embrace and then scurry away to Riley’s room.
“Are you sure you’re okay with a sleepover? I can pick her up on my way home,” I bite my lower lip and twist the little ring on my index finger. A nervous habit I’ve never been able to shake.
“Yes, now go have an extra fun night.” Kristen wiggles her eyebrows and I laugh.
“It won’t be like that,” I can feel a warm blush creeping up my neck to my cheeks.
“Nothing wrong with letting loose and having fun. Lucas is a great guy too, albeit a grumpy one. But you’ll have fun though.” She quickly adds the last sentence.
“Okay well if you’re sure, I’ll pick Poppy up tomorrow morning.” I skip anything about Lucas and the potential after date experiences I may or may not partake in.
It has been a long time since I’ve had company in bed that wasn’t battery operated or chargeable.
I enter the restaurant and pull the sweater a little snugger around myself.
I run my fingers through my hair and hope the loose curls are still holding on.
I touched up my lipstick in the car, but I feel naked as heads turn when I walk in.
It’s toasty inside, a complete one-eighty from the winter wonderland that’s swirling about outside.
The hostess stand is busy. There’s a line to check in and a decent number of people waiting around to be called. I scan the sea of faces for Lucas, and I spy him already sitting down at one of the small leather booths. I wave to him and make my way through the crowd.
He stands as I get close, and I see he’s wearing black slacks and a light grey sweater. He is professional and somehow cozy at the same time. His hair looks soft, and as I get closer, I can feel my heartbeat pounding against my ribcage. I’m starting to feel too warm.
Is he going to hug me?
Kiss my cheek?
I’d go in for a hug if he opened his arms.
Lucas sticks his hand out for me to shake it, and then we sit down at the booth. Disappointment weaves itself around my limbs. I realize that I wanted a less formal greeting.
“Sorry,” he runs his fingers through his golden locks, “I was trying to decide how to greet you, and then you walked in, and I went with a handshake.”
I can’t help but laugh. It seems like we’re both equally awkward with this blind date situation.
“It’s okay,” I take my sweater off, the heat of the restaurant is too much. I’d rather show skin than sweat my makeup off. Lucas stifles a cough, and I see him avert his eyes.
Maybe the dress is a bit much.
Our waitress comes by and takes our drink order.
Lucas gets an old-fashioned, and I order one of their holiday drinks called a Mistletoe Kiss.
It’s vodka, club soda, cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary.
Since I don’t have to get Poppy tonight, I’m going to take my friends’ advice and enjoy my evening.
No matter where it takes me.
“How long have you lived in Kastle Harbor?” he asks me after our waitress leaves. His voice is deep and tender. Each word gently stroking my skin.
A little ripple of awareness goes through my body. I can’t help but notice every woman who walks past our table slows as they see Lucas.
His gaze doesn’t leave my face at all. His eyes are mesmerizing.
“Not that long, actually. I moved from about an hour north to down here back in the summer. I wanted to make sure Poppy was a little adjusted to the town before starting the school year.” Our drinks are delivered, and we order our entrees.
They’re just as different as our drinks.
I order salmon with broccoli and a baked potato.
Lucas orders a steak with mashed potatoes, gravy, and asparagus.
“And Poppy is your daughter?” he sips his old-fashioned. I nod in reply, and he asks her age.
“She’s nine now, Riley was her first best friend in town.” I smile as I think about the wild duo. “After you left, Olivia told me you’re a doctor. How long have you been practicing?”
“A few years now,” our food gets served, and we both eat in silence for a few moments. It’s comfortable, though, like a cozy blanket wrapped around my shoulders.
“I was born and raised in Kastle Harbor, hence how Olivia and I are friends,” he states between bites. “Then I went off to college, medical school, residency, all the things.” I grin as his eyes seem to sparkle. I feel pulled in by the excitement in his voice.
He must love what he does.
“What brought you back?” I ask as the waitress swings by to check on us. There is no denying Lucas is attractive, he clearly has every woman’s full attention.
And I have his.
My cheeks redden and I stuff a few bites of baked potato in my mouth.
“My family is really into Christmas and we always celebrate together.” His shoulders slump as he moves his food around on his plate.
“I take it you’re not a big fan of the holiday season?” I raise an eyebrow as he leans back in his seat and sighs.
“If you grow up surrounded by it, it all sort of loses its sparkle.”
“Maybe you’re just not celebrating the right way.” I retort without thinking.
“How do you celebrate then?” he leans in, his husky voice ignites a little fire in my lower abdomen. He takes a sip of his drink and I watch his Adam’s apple move as he swallows.
The speed of which I am getting turned on has to be because of the time I’ve been alone.
It’s not because of Lucas.
We are tiptoeing along the line between fun and flirty and downright seduction.
“First off, the non-negotiable items include going to a tree farm to pick out your own Christmas tree. Having the scent of a real tree filling your living room is the perfect way to wake up during December. Then you need to make sure you have time for snowy activities like building a snowman, making snow angels, and of course, the classic snowball fight.”
Lucas nods along, “what if there’s no snow?”
“We live in Maine, there’s always snow. With that in mind, the town’s Christmas tree lighting is magical.
And little Christmas markets are a fun and free way to spend the weekends.
Poppy and I go and get hot chocolate and wander around.
Every year, we get one ornament and add it to our tree on Christmas Eve. ”
“I bet your daughter has a lot of fun.” He continues to eat his steak. His words are nice, but his tone is sad.
Maybe he needs a little holiday cheer.
“It’s been the two of us the whole time, so I try my best to go all out as much as I can financially. Being a single parent is challenging at times. Balancing making sure she doesn’t miss out on things, but also making sure I don’t promise things I can’t deliver.”
“Seems like you’re doing well. You’re an accountant, right? I think Olivia mentioned you’re doing their books now.”
The change in the topic of conversation makes me think Lucas is very anti-holiday fun.
Maybe he just needs a fun afternoon out or an evening at the tree lighting ceremony in town.
But there’s plenty of time for that in the future.
Instead of prodding, I move along with the change in topic of conversation.
“Yes, I mainly do freelance so I can work my own hours. Childcare is expensive.” I eat more of my food before blurting out, “sorry if I’ve been talking about Poppy too much.
To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve been on a date.
Usually, I’m around other parents and we chat about our kids and everything parent-related.
” I grimace as I wait for him to say something.
Lucas takes my hand in his. His palm is warm, and the light touch sends a tiny shiver through me.
“I’m a pediatric doctor, I’m used to hearing about people’s kids.
But,” he squeezes my hand before releasing it, “Poppy is clearly important to you. And if I want to get to know you better, then I should also know about Poppy.” He tugs at the hem of his sleeve, like he’s trying to make it longer and hide his hands.
I feel like a hummingbird has replaced my heart. My pulse races. Lucas is a complete catch, not that I’m even looking at the moment. I figured I’d wait until Poppy at least hit middle school. But he’s a doctor, mouth-wateringly handsome, and a good listener.
How the hell is Lucas single?
Are we going to get further than a goodnight kiss?
I watch his lips as he sips his drink.
I really want a goodnight kiss.