Chapter 15
MARCUS
This wasn’t a date.
Going out dancing, even though he was dressed in a suit, was definitely not a date.
Oh, who was he kidding?
Marcus couldn’t deny that in his heart, tonight would be his first official date with Wynter. He was about to pick her up. He’d spend time with her at the party. And then he’d bring her home. That sure sounded like a date to him.
Not only that, but his siblings were giving him that look he detested. Like they knew he was up to something, and they weren’t sure they approved.
Well, too bad for them.
Wynter was the girl of his dreams, and he could feel her resolve weakening. The more time they spent together, the more he could sense it.
He hurried up to the front door and knocked. A wave of déjà vu hit him square in the chest, nearly knocking the wind out of him when the door was pulled open. Instead of Mr. Delaney, it was Nora. And she was smiling as bright as ever.
“Well, Marcus, you look wonderful.”
“Thank you, Nora.”
She wiped at the moisture building in her eyes and let out a strangled laugh. Then she motioned for him to enter, waving him off before he could ask her if she was okay. “Wynter, Marcus is here.”
“How are you feeling?” Marcus nodded to the brace on her wrist. “How much longer do you have to wear that?”
She lifted it up. “Oh, this? It’s fine. I think I’ll be free of it sooner than you think.”
He frowned. That didn’t sound right. Based on what Wynter had said, Nora would need to wear it for the next couple of months. He was about to clarify when the sound of footsteps pulled his attention.
The breath left his lungs in the next second.
Wynter stood in the hallway entrance, wearing the most gorgeous red dress.
It hugged every one of her curves, showing off her petite form.
The heart-shaped neckline drew the eye upward and toward Wynter’s face.
It was as if the designer wanted to showcase the beauty of the wearer rather than the dress itself.
She’d chosen to go with minimal makeup, but that had always been her style. She wasn’t wearing the glasses she’d had in high school, and that seemed to make her eyes look even larger.
Marcus placed a hand to his chest as he took a step forward.
He forgot himself entirely as he allowed himself to drink her in completely.
She looked like Christmas morning. The shade of her dress was perfect and matched the way she’d pulled her curls up on top of her head.
All she needed was some baby’s breath in her hair, and she could be placed on top of a Christmas tree as a decoration. “Wow,” he whispered.
Wynter smiled, her eyes practically sparkling. They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity.
Nora cleared her throat, breaking the spell. “Well, go on then. You two don’t want to be late to the party.”
“Grams.” Wynter laughed. “There is no such thing. It’s a come and go sort of thing.”
Still, she shooed them toward the door. “Well, then you want to spend as much time together as you can before you turn into a pumpkin.”
Wynter and Marcus shared amused glances.
“I don’t think that’s quite right, either,” Marcus offered.
“Oh, hush. You know what I mean. Now, get going. The night is young, and you two look too good to waste a single second here with this old bird.”
Wynter reached for her grandmother and swept her into a hug. “You know that’s not how we feel about you.”
“I do, dear.” Nora patted Wynter on the back and tossed Marcus a look. One that seemed to say, Take care of our girl.
He nodded, promising her he’d do everything in his power to do just that.
“You look nice,” Wynter offered when they were settled in the truck. “Clean up really well.”
He chuckled, grasping her hand and bringing it to his lips. The movement had felt natural, and he hadn’t realized what he’d done until he sensed her tense. “You look like a vision,” he whispered, dropping her hand.
She folded both of her hands in her lap and gave him a curt nod. “Thank you.” Then she glanced out the window. He’d thought for sure that he’d ruined everything until she turned toward him, her smile returning. “I love this time of year. Have I ever told you that?”
Marcus nodded. “I think we covered that back in the day when we made a tradition of going to the lighting ceremony in town.”
“Right.”
He couldn’t see her well in the dark, but he could already imagine her blushing.
“Do you think they’ve been hosting Christmas parties at this country club every year?”
“Oh, I’m sure of it.”
She grinned at him. “If I were staying, I would say we could make this into a new tradition.”
It took a great deal of effort to fight the instinct to frown at her words. She was still planning on leaving.
But that didn’t mean her decision couldn’t change. She might stay if he found a way to convince her. He needed to breathe, relax, and have a little bit of faith.
They drove past several houses that were decked out in Christmas lighting. Familiar carols played on the radio, and the two of them fell into a comfortable silence. It almost felt like they were headed back to that place they were before she’d left him for good.
Marcus darted out of the truck the second he put it into park.
He made it to her door before she managed to get it fully open.
Holding his hand out to her, he willed himself to forget all about his worries and simply enjoy her company.
Tonight, he could pretend that they were so much more than she was ready to admit.
Wynter placed her hand in his, and he helped her out of the truck. Instead of releasing her the second her feet hit the frozen parking lot, he laced his fingers with hers. They walked hand in hand toward the entrance.
This was the start of something.
He just knew it.
Inside, the whole place had been decked out in Christmas decorations.
Garlands covered in lights and berries were draped on railings.
They could be found embellishing counter edges as well as coiled around banisters.
A larger-than-life Christmas tree was in the center of the dance floor.
It was decorated tastefully in white lights, berries, and rustic wooden ornaments.
Christmas music played from speakers and people were already dancing.
There were others seated at various tables eating the refreshments being offered, even though there was a restaurant in the other part of the building.
It was as if they’d entered another dimension.
One where Christmas wishes could come true.
Marcus tugged at Wynter’s hand, pulling her around to face him.
She released a surprised laugh, and both of her hands came to rest on his chest. Her curious gaze questioned him, demanding answers to questions he wasn’t sure he could give her yet.
Not without scaring her.
“Dance with me,” he demanded in a whisper.
She nodded. “I’d love to.”
Marcus slipped his arms around her waist, and they swayed. He didn’t know any fancy moves. He’d never been interested in impressing a woman on the dance floor. At least not until tonight. But holding her like this? He was content with how it had all panned out.
Wynter rested her cheek against his shoulder, and so many unspoken words seemed to hang in the air between them. But he wouldn’t be the first to break the silence.
Nope. He was going to be on his best behavior.
“Did you know that I had a crush on you in high school?” she whispered.
Well, shoot.
She let out a sad-sounding laugh. “So cliché, right? The nerdy girl having a crush on her football player best friend. But it was okay. Because I knew that no matter what happened, you’d always be my friend.”
He went stiff. Was this actually happening? Was she finally willing to confide in him about what happened all those years ago?
Marcus held his breath, waiting. Wishing?
Wynter pulled back, her eyes shining. “I didn’t want to lose you.”
He pressed his palm to her cheek, his heart crumbling even though he hadn’t thought it possible. “You weren’t going to lose me.”
“After that kiss…” She shook her head. “You don’t know. We could have…”
“Listen to me,” Marcus urged. “The only reason you might lose me is by running. And even then, I’m not sure I wouldn’t chase you.”
She laughed. It was weak and a little sad, but it was everything to him. In that moment, he wanted for nothing.
Nothing but her.
Without second-guessing himself, he framed her face with both of his hands and brushed a kiss to her lips.
This one was so different from the one they’d shared before and yet so similar.
Within it, he told her all his hopes and dreams. A plan they could have for the future.
There was so much he wanted as long as she was by his side.
But then she pulled back, her hands gripping his wrists. “I don’t want you to think this can be anything but short term.”
And just like that, he was knocked to his knees. “What?” he rasped.
“I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want our friendship to suffer. If we can come up with a set of rules—something we can both agree on…”
The lump in his throat grew to painful proportions. Something they could both agree on? That was ridiculous, right?
But wasn’t this what he’d been hoping for? It was another step in the right direction. He was getting closer and closer to her. She was letting him in. Even if she was telling him that she didn’t want anything more, they’d already crossed a line she’d previously drawn in the sand.
This was good. And while he hated her request, he could appreciate what she was offering him.
“I’ll be leaving,” she whispered as a tear slipped down her cheek. He swiped it with his thumb, waiting for her to continue. “That’s the biggest reason. I will be going back. My life is in California. I don’t want to walk away from what I’ve built there.”
He had so many arguments to her way of thinking, but he bit his tongue.
She rolled her lower lip between her teeth and stared up at him with those pleading eyes. Eyes that could make him promise anything. “Do you think you can agree to that? I want to keep spending time with you. Like this. I know it’s selfish, and if you don’t want to—”
“Whatever you want, Wynter. I’ll take you however I can get you.” He pulled her close and rested his chin atop her head.
“Good. Because I don’t want Grams to know.”
He frowned but didn’t question her. If she wanted this to be a secret for now, he’d allow it. At least he had Wynter, and she had him. “Okay,” he whispered.
“Okay,” she repeated.