Page 59 of Noel Secrets

“Are you from the area as well?” he asked to cover his blunder.

“No, sir. I grew up in a small valley in northern Arizona. Jade Valley.”

“Is your family still there?”

“Only my parents full time. One sister splits time between Jade Valley and San Francisco. My other two sisters and my niece are in Seaside Cove, South Carolina. My nephew joined the Air Force after graduation last spring.”

“Air Force,” he groaned. “At least he’s serving his country.”

She smiled. “We’re proud of him.”

“As you should be.” They each ate a bite of pudding.

“All girls,” he said. “I bet that was fun.”

“You have no idea,” she said drily. “My poor dad. Luckily, he’s a complete smart aleck and could joke about all the drama. Siblings?”

“A brother and a sister. Both live close by. I have a two-year-old nephew. Cutest little guy ever.”

“Handsome as his uncle?”

“The spitting image.” He flashed her a confident grin and ate another bite of pudding. They were having an actual conversation.Please don’t let her leave again.

“How long were you in the Navy?”

“Twenty years.”

“Thank you for your service.”

The words he heard often were sincere. He nodded, never sure what to say when someone thanked him for defending the country he loved and doing the work he was passionate about.

“Rank?” she asked.

He didn’t like to brag about himself, but he admitted, “Captain.”

“Oh, Captain my Captain. I like it.”

He liked her. Especially the way she teased constantly. It reminded him of his unit in the Navy, always teasing each other. With Addie, there was the added element of extreme attraction that had never been a part of the banter with his military buddies. There was also an underlying current of tension. Was she afraid of military men or possibly men in general? He hoped not as that could mean she’d been injured emotionally or physically.

“What brought you to Boston?” he asked.

“Work. I’m a graphic designer. Plus I love the city, the history, the food, the waterfront, the Bruins.”

“I knew I liked you.” He was referring to the Bruins, but he did like her. A lot. He liked her teasing, her self-control, her smile.

And he hardly knew her.

“What’s not to like?” She grinned, but then she did what he’d been dreading. Her blue gaze became guarded and she closed her container, licking off her spoon.

“Already?” he asked.

“There are a long line of men hoping for a snippet of my time, Captain Sanderson. Consider yourself lucky I stayed this long.” She stood, grinning, and turned to walk away.

Price darted around her, grateful for his quick reflexes. She stared up at him, her blue eyes wide and the pulse point in her neck racing. He wished he dared touch her hand again or even better cup that smooth jawline with his palm and then trail his fingertips from her jaw to her pulse point.

“That long line of men is going to be disappointed when you choose to only spend your time with me,” he said, hoping his confidence wouldn’t backfire. The words came out naturally with her.

She laughed. It was a delightful sound but didn’t up his hopes of her choosing to spend more time with him. It was a surprised laugh, and she didn’t concur.