Page 18 of Christmas Souls

"Always helps to have an in with the guy in charge."

"Stop it."

"So, are you guys dating or what," she asks over a mouthful.

"Or what."

"Really?"

I look at her incredulous face and wonder how much I can tell her.

"I have a goal. It's a super-secret goal that I haven't told anyone, and until I can fulfill that goal everything else in my life is at a standstill. That's all you'll get out of me."

Ana's eyes are bugged out from the information I just gave her. I look down and keep eating my food. I feel a hand on my arm, and I look up at her concerned face.

"Whatever you need, know that I'm here for you, okay?"

I give her a smile and bring out the surprise tiramisu I got at Flora's Baked Delights. She bounces joyfully in her seat and I divide the treat for us. We're chatting and laughing when the door to the library opens, and my favorite Hoffer brother comes in.

"You ladies seem to be having a good time. Is that tiramisu from Flora's? Wait!"

I swallow down the last bite as he watches in horror. Flora doesn't make this dessert very often. She's got to be in a really good mood to make it, and it sells out almost immediately.

"Sorry," I say, not one bit ashamed. "You're early."

He squints in my direction, a disgruntled look on his face.

"I wanted to surprise you,” he says. “You were never going to save any of that for me, were you?"

"It was always meant to be for me and my bestie."

"I'm going to go to Flora's."

"Don't bother. This was the last piece."

"I must have gotten onto her bad side somehow. She always texts me when she makes tiramisu and saves me a piece."

We all fall silent, and I see hunger in his eyes.

"Okay, lovebirds. Stop making googly eyes at each other and get out of my sight." Ana says. She takes the containers from me and shoos me away. "I'll wash these later. Thanks so much for lunch. It was delicious."

I get up and go around to the other side of the counter, where Michael is still silently staring at me. I grab his hand and tug gently. I'm not sure where his mind is at, but it takes him a minute to start moving with me.

"I don't think I should ice skate so soon after lunch."

"All I want is to spend some time with you, baby."

The use of the endearment makes goosebumps burst all over my skin. I like it way too much when he says those words to me.

He backs into the parking spot and opens the trunk so that we can sit together. There's a blanket, which he throws over our legs, and he reaches for my hand.

We entwine our fingers and watch as people skate around the pond. I'm actually surprised at how many people are here at three in the afternoon. It’s chilly, and I think my teeth are chattering. Another blanket is thrown over my back, and I sigh in relief.

"I have hot cocoa."

"My stomach is bloated with how much food I ate. There's pot roast for dinner."

"You made some?"