Page 57 of Christmas Bubble

“I’d love that,” Curtis says.

Some emotion lodges in my throat, and I know I need to take Curtis and go back inside the cabin. I need it to be just the two of us for a while.

Once the kids are out of earshot, I put my hand on his chin so I can look into his beautiful green eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his eyes flicking between mine. I see worry etched in them.

“I need you, Curtis. All of you.”

22

BUBBLE

There’ssomething raw in the way Riley looks at me. Like he wants to consume me and is both afraid and eager to get started.

“Okay, let’s go inside.” I take his hand, and he follows me.

We don’t talk as we hang our coats and shake the snow off our boots before putting them on the tray.

The silence is killing me because I don’t know what he’s thinking. I want to know if he’s really ready for this, if he’s feeling what I’m feeling. It’s okay if he’s not, but I need to know.

“Are you hungry? I could make you something to eat,” I say, walking over to the fridge.

“Curtis.”

“Nothing too complicated. I’ll give in and make you a sandwich. A proper one, not one of those things you call a sandwich.”

“Curtis.”

His voice is closer now. I shiver at his closeness. Why does taking this next step scare me so much?

Because you already care too much about him and you’re afraid to get hurt.

Oh shut up, stupid brain.

“There’s some leftovers from last night. Pulled pork and—”

I squeak as my sock-covered feet are lifted off the ground, and I’m taken to the bedroom over Riley’s shoulder.

He drops me on the bed, making me bounce, and then follows, covering my body with his.

“Tell me you still want this, Curtis.” His voice is raw, vulnerable.

“More than anything, Riley.”

He closes his eyes like he’s in pain. I reach over and massage his temples.

“Does it bother you that I’m much older than you?” he asks.

“What? No, not at all.”

“I’ll be fifty-six in ten years. Will you feel the same way then?”

I smile. “I’ve loved many things for a lot longer and haven’t changed my mind. Riley, I might be Bubble, but remember, I’m also Curtis. Sometimes I don’t want to be the one to cheer everyone up. Sometimes I want to cuddle in bed with a book. Sometimes I want someone to bake me a cake.”

“I can’t bake,” he says.

“I know an excellent place in Chester Falls.”