6. Chapter Six

Chapter Six

West

T he rest of the caroling adventure went pretty smoothly—no more requests for kissing, at least. As much as I wanted to be annoyed at my brothers, I couldn’t be mad at Mrs. Thomas for instigating the moment. She’d never wanted anything but the best for me. Of course, my brothers had never wanted anything but to get on my nerves, so I figured it all balanced out.

With the caroling done, the group of us found ourselves standing in the lobby of the nursing home bundling up to head outside. Mom stepped up to Cole and thanked him for joining us.

“It means a lot to see West so happy,” she said, throwing her arms around him.

“Mom,” I protested. “You don’t need to do that.”

She pulled away and gave us a radiant smile. “I know, but it’s just been so long. I thought I’d never see my first baby find his person, and it’s clear that you two are perfect for each other.”

“ Mom. ”

She shook her head and tugged her scarf around her neck. “I’m sorry. It’s Mom privilege to embarrass her kids.” She glanced at my dad, who tapped his watch and tilted his head toward the door. “We’ve got to get going. The sitters can only handle six kids for so long before they go into overdrive. But…” She looked over at me before plowing on. “Do you want to join us for card games?”

“That sounds like a good time,” Cole said slowly, as if he were choosing his words carefully. “What night were you thinking?”

“Tonight! We always have a game night after caroling. We do it once a month, and December is always on the same night as our caroling trip.” She glanced at Dad again, who was insistently tapping his watch. “Okay, okay, I have to run, but I hope we see you at the house in a few.”

Heat flooded my face for what felt like the hundredth time that night. The minute my parents left, I turned to Cole. “You absolutely do not have to join us,” I assured him.

“Are you going?”

I sighed quietly, wishing my mom had never brought it up in the first place. “I was planning on it, if I don’t die of embarrassment first.”

“Then count me in.”

“Seriously?”

He shrugged. “Unless you don’t want me to join. Which would be fine. I’d completely understand if you want it to be just family.”

“No, I…” I shook my head. “I’d love it if you joined.”

The slow smile that appeared on his face warmed me from the inside out. “Then it’s a date. Again. Or still. Or something.”

I laughed. “Sounds like a plan.”

A half hour later, we were at my parents’ house, dusty snow swirling outside as Cole absolutely demolished my entire family in Phase Ten. I’d opted out of the game, choosing to bake cookies for the kids to decorate instead, and as the game began to wind down, I stood in the doorway, smiling and watching Cole interact with my family.

“Cole, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re a Phase Ten pro.”

He shook his head and held his hands up as if he were surrendering. “Beginner’s luck, I promise. I’ve never played before in my life.”

The oven dinged and I hurried to take the cookies out to cool. From the kitchen, I heard a mixture of groans and cheering as Cole played his final phase, ending the game. Everyone stopped to tally points while I finished pulling out the sprinkles and filling piping bags with icing.

“Alright everyone, time to decorate,” I called once the cookies were cool. A stampede of children rushed into the kitchen, all six of them excited to get their hands on the sprinkles and frosting. Even Miles, the baby at just two years old, came running in, shouting about cookies at the top of his lungs.

After getting everyone settled at the kitchen table, I guided them a little, handing out decorating supplies as Cole meandered into the kitchen. He watched me for a minute before speaking up.

“Can I help, too?”

I grinned at him and then at the kids. “What do you guys think? Should we let him have a few cookies to decorate?”

“Uncle West,” began six year old Sadie matter-of-factly. “You’re supposed to share.”

I spread my hands wide, gesturing at the table. “The Queen has spoken.”

Cole chuckled and took a seat, the four-year-olds, Caleb and Levi, flanking him. “Can you show me what to do?” he whispered to Caleb, who gave him a nod and handed him a cookie.

“You just do it like this.” Caleb took a piping bag and squirted a lot of frosting onto a cookie before dumping a pile of sanding sugar on top.

Cole laughed a little and nodded. “I think I’ve got the idea.”

I hung back, charmed by the way Cole interacted with the kids, warmth spreading through me again. I found myself daydreaming about having Cole around in the summer, helping the littlest kids learn to swim, pushing the twins, Ava and Eli, on the swings in my parents’ backyard, and sneaking off to make out in the kitchen while everyone else was outside. After a few minutes of daydreaming, I caught myself, shaking my head. He’s only here for a few weeks , I reminded myself. He has a life in the city.

Finally, the cookies were decorated and the kids were yawning. I helped them get settled in front of the TV to watch a movie while they fell asleep, and once that was done, Cole pulled me aside. “I’d better get going. It’s pretty late and I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

“Sure, no problem,” I said. “Let me just get my keys.”

He shook his head. “No need. I’m staying just a couple of blocks from here. I can walk.”

With a frown, I put my hand on his arm. “Are you sure? I’m happy to drive you.”

“Don’t worry about it. Really.”

“I think I’ll head out too. Wait just a minute and I’ll walk you out, at least.” I said my goodbyes and we headed out to the sidewalk.

“Can I keep you company while your car warms up?” Cole asked.

I chuckled and nodded. “Sure, if you want to.”

“I do,” he said quietly, stepping close. “I really do.”

“Oh,” I murmured the second before our lips touched for the second time that night. As he slid his tongue into my mouth, I inhaled sharply, letting one hand go to the back of his coat and grip him tightly. We kissed for several moments and as we did, heat and electricity exploded inside of me, spurring me on. I pressed our bodies together as we kissed and Cole moved a hand to the back of my neck, holding me to him. My breath hitched as we kissed, and Cole let out a soft groan of pleasure. I couldn’t believe what was happening—we’d been dancing around each other all night, but I was still surprised at how right it felt.

When we parted a few moments later, my heart pounding, both of us breathing heavily, Cole cleared his throat. “I hope that was okay.”

My cheeks burning, I looked at my feet briefly. “It was more than okay.”

“Good. I feel the same.”

A beat passed. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then? At the coffee shop?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” he murmured. “See you tomorrow.” With that, he turned and headed off into the night. I climbed into my car and headed in the opposite direction, my mind swirling like the snowflakes on the ground.