Chapter 13
Natasha
I woke up on my side, an arm heavy over my waist. Ford had stayed the night. I hadn't wanted him to drive home in bad conditions, but I also wanted to maintain this closeness that we had together. I wasn't ready to let him go.
We had been in our own little world last night. It was like nothing mattered except us. I didn't let any worries penetrate.
But now my mind was racing. He'd left me once. Why did I think anything had changed? Yeah, we were older and more mature. But that didn't alter our history.
No one ever stayed. Not my parents and especially not Ford. He'd always been looking for something else, and it wasn't me. It was easy for him to walk away and never look back.
Was I just a convenience for him now that he was back in town? I hated that idea, but I couldn't help but wonder.
The fire had long since died down. There was a chill in the air, and I had a kink in my neck from sleeping in a cramped position all night. I snuggled against Ford, seeking his warmth.
"Are you cold?" His voice rumbled against my ear.
"Yeah."
He shifted so that he was able to climb over me. Then he worked on getting the fire started. I covered up, missing his body heat. Was he having regrets?
He stoked the fire, and when it was burning brightly, his gaze lifted to the window behind me. "It's still snowing. You want something warm to drink?"
"Coffee would be great."
He wandered into the kitchen, pouring beans into my coffee grinder, adding water, and then pushing the Start button. "I'll make something for breakfast."
I wasn't going to argue with a man in my kitchen insisting on making coffee and breakfast. I was going to enjoy this.
"You need to get to work?" he asked me.
"I have my phone on if anyone has an issue, and we hire a service that clears the walkways." I'd already heard the plows in the lot and the scrape of a shovel.
When he pulled out the eggs, I moved into my bedroom to shower. I let the warm water wash over me. We both had to work this morning, so there wouldn't be a repeat of last night. I needed some distance between us so I could figure out what happened.
It wasn't a good idea to get involved with Ford a second time. He had the power to crush me, and I didn't want to go through that again. So what was I doing?
Why had I let him stay overnight, and why was he cooking breakfast in my kitchen? It was the road conditions, but also because I couldn't say no to him.
I dried my hair and got dressed before going out to the kitchen where eggs and bacon were already on a plate at the counter.
He poured coffee into a mug and placed it next to my plate. "Hope you're hungry."
I sat on the stool, unsure how to act this morning. "Starved. Thank you."
He sat next to me, digging into his food.
"Thank you for making breakfast. You didn't have to."
"I was hungry, and it's easier to cook for two," he said simply as he continued to shovel food into his mouth.
I ate more slowly, enjoying the leisurely start to the day.
He finished first and pushed his plate away. "I have to head home and get dressed for work."
He was dressed far too nicely to dive into construction.
"You want me to tell your crew?" I asked, desperate to keep the conversation work related.
"I already texted and told them to come in an hour late, give the plows time to clear the roads."
I sipped my coffee as he got up and rinsed off his plate.
He placed it in the dishwasher, then turned to face me. He leaned against the counter across from me and folded his arms over his chest. "Neither of us planned for what happened."
I shook my head. "Definitely not."
"I don't have any regrets." His tone was firm.
That made everything inside of me still. What did that mean?
Then his expression softened. "You want to catch a showing at the movie theater in town one night?"
"Are you asking me out on a date?" I asked.
He crossed one leg over the other. "I'd like to partake in a few holiday events that I've missed out on over the years. And I don't want to go with my parents or my brothers."
"You want to go with me?"
He let his arms fall to his side. "We know each other well, so it won't be awkward. Who knows? We might have fun."
"I don't know if this is a good idea."
He moved closer, leaning his elbows on the counter in front of me. "If you don't go with me, I won't be able to experience the magic of Christmas."
My lips quirked. "You're trying to guilt trip me."
He raised a brow. "Is it working?"
I chewed my lip, remembering what happened last night. How I couldn't keep my hands off him. And how I wanted to have sex with him again.
"All I want is to go with someone to a Christmas movie, walk a light trail, and have someone to stand next to when you light the tree. Is that asking too much? We're friends, right?"
I huffed out a laugh. "I'm not sure about the friendship part anymore."
He raised a brow, his voice lower. "We were friends before we started dating."
We had been partners at school on a history project that lasted most of the year. We'd gotten to know each other before he asked me to a school dance. "I'll do it."
He straightened with a grin. "It's the first time I've looked forward to the holidays in a long time. We should get a tree for your place and mine."
"I don't usually get a tree. We have one downstairs."
His brow furrowed. "Let me get this straight. You have a tree on ever floor—"
I laughed. "In every room and balcony."
"But none in your apartment?"
I shrugged. "It's not important that my place be filled with holiday decorations. It's just me here."
"Yeah, but it creates a nice ambiance. I'll text you about the movie, and then we'll go to a tree farm this weekend to get a tree." He opened the door.
"The scouts sell trees in the parking lot."
He raised a brow. "We're cutting down our trees."
Then he was gone, and I wondered what had just happened. I'd agreed to several dates apparently. Although he'd said they weren't dates. I was doing him a favor. But they were date-like activities. Things you only did with a significant other. I'd certainly never gone tree shopping with anyone.
He'd somehow manipulated me into being his plus-one this holiday season, and I wasn't mad about it. I was less sure about being able to keep my hands to myself. If we were interacting all the time, it was bound to happen again.
But my body was on board with that idea.
On Friday night, I'd agreed to go to the movies with Ford at the tiny theater in town.
I met Ford at the inn's front counter because I didn't want it to feel any more date-like than it already did.
Since it was a casual date, I'd worn jeans, a red sweater, boots, and a jacket.
I'd taken a little extra care with my hair and makeup.
I didn't know exactly where this evening would lead, but my imagination had us both naked.
The logical part of my brain vowed not to let him walk me up to my room. That was the key. I couldn't let him inside. He'd walk me to the door, and he'd go on his merry way. I'd already checked, and there was no snow in the forecast. No reason for him to stay overnight or come up to my room at all.
Feeling proud of myself, I took his offered elbow as we crossed the street to the historic movie theater with its ticket window on the sidewalk. There were a few people ahead of us, so we waited in line.
Ford paid for our tickets, and inside, he insisted on getting hot chocolates and popcorn. We settled in the middle of a row to watch the black-and-white movie.
We shared the popcorn, our hands brushing every so often, and when we ran out, he got up to get a refill.
Ford had always been a gentleman, but this wasn't a date. I was here as his friend who wanted him to enjoy the holiday season.
For once, he was home and not deployed somewhere. I had no idea what his holidays had been like in the military, but here, he could enjoy everything the season had to offer. I should be happy to assist him with that.
He returned with more popcorn, and I focused on the movie. When the credits rolled, Ford gathered our trash, and we made our way to the door.
"You want to get dinner at the diner? I'm kind of hungry."
"Two popcorns didn't fill you up?" I quipped.
He rubbed his belly. "I'm a growing boy."
"I can attest to the fact that you're full grown—" I broke off, my face heated.
He flashed me a cocky grin. "Oh, can you? Are you sure you don't want to test that theory again? Get another look and cop a feel."
I smacked his arm as we walked outside into the cold. He threw an arm around me, pulling me into his side as we walked toward Merry's Diner.
He opened the door to the diner. The hostess ushered us to the last booth, and we removed our coats, sitting across from each other.
"You've been to a holiday movie, and now you're eating at Merry’s Diner. What else is on your list for the season?"
"I already mentioned the holiday light trail and the tree lighting. But what else is there?"
"We're having that parade here in town."
He snapped his finger. "Didn't you say something about a holiday ball at the inn?"
I nodded. "Every Saturday."
"We should go to that."
I shook my head, neither of us bothering to look at the menu. "Nope. Not happening."
"You would make me miss out on a holiday ball?" he asked, incredulous.
I rolled my eyes. "I doubt you want to go to that. Women get dressed up in ball gowns, hair, makeup, the whole thing."
"We're doing it. Tomorrow?"
"I thought we were going Christmas-tree shopping." I'd do anything to get out of going to the dance. I'd never gone to one myself.
He nodded seriously. "Tree this weekend. Ball next weekend."
"My weekends are filling up fast," I said sarcastically.
He only grinned wider.
Merry approached our table. "Are you two lovebirds ready to order?"
I waved a hand between us. "Oh, we're not—"
"Absolutely. I'll take the stack of pancakes with sausage on the side," Ford interjected.
"Your veggie omelet," I said as I tucked the menu in the holder on the side of the table.
Merry nodded before walking away to put in our order.
"Why did you let her think that we were together?" I hissed.
He shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. "People are going to think that anyway."
"Because you're forcing me to go on these dates," I hissed.
He raised a brow. "You didn't have a good time at the movies?"
My shoulders lowered in defeat. "No. I did."
A crease appeared between his brows. "Who cares what anyone thinks anyway?"
I looked around at the crowded restaurant. "You forget we live in a small town."
"Yeah, but this isn't Telluride. This is Christmas Town. It's a tourist destination with plenty of outsiders."
"It's got that tight-knit feel where everyone knows everyone else's business."
He nodded. "I'll give you that. But then why do you care what they think?"
"I'm friends with them."
He raised a brow when Merry walked by with a carafe.
"Most of them. I'm not used to being the boss of anything. Apparently, some people chafe at getting along with people in charge."
"It's an adjustment being the one giving the orders; that's for sure. You have to set the tone for everyone else. They look up to you."
"Yeah, I guess that's it."
Our food came, and we dug in.
Ford cut his sausage and popped a bite into his mouth, chewing and swallowing before saying, "You're focused on the inn, which is a good thing. But if you're planning events around town, you should experience it."
That was something I hadn't thought of before. "And you're the man to do it?"
He grinned. "Now you're catching on."
He'd come up with a couple of reasons why we should go to these holiday events together. And I wondered if there was another one that he wasn't being upfront about. Did he want me back, and if so, how did I feel about that?