Page 63 of Just One Spark

There was a light on under our door.

When I pushed the door open, Hattie lowered her book."You're home."

I winced."Sorry I'm so late.I fell asleep."

She frowned."You didn't answer my text for hours."

I ran my hand through my hair."I didn't see your text until later.I'm sorry I didn't check it sooner."

She eyed me cautiously."You don't owe me anything.This relationship is supposed to help your business.As long as it's doing that, then I'm doing my job."

I didn't like that she thought our relationship was only about the business.It had stopped being fake for me a long time ago.The only thing not real about our situation was how soon we'd gotten engaged.I probably would have waited if we were in a real relationship.But now that we were engaged, I didn't want to take that ring off her finger or tell everyone that it was pretend.

"You know it's more than that, right?"I asked her as I unbuttoned my shirt.

She set her book on the nightstand."I don't want you to feel like you need to do anything for me."

"It's Christmas Eve.I wanted to spend the evening together."I didn't do a great job of ensuring that was a reality.

Her smile was soft."I'm fine, Row."

I pushed my slacks down and off, climbing into bed in just my briefs."We don't even have a Christmas tree."

"You've been busy."

I hated that I'd squandered the only Christmas I'd get with her."Let's have a quiet night together tomorrow.I'll plan it."

"You don't have to do anything special."

I got into bed."I want to."

"Okay," she said before turning off the lamp.

The only light in the room was the moon shining through the curtains.I settled close to her, putting an arm around her middle.I might not be the best boyfriend, but I'd make it up to her.

The only problem was that I was running out of time to prove to her that I was the real deal.

I wokeup early and started breakfast.Then I called my brothers and asked them to meet me at the brewery before they went over to Mom and Dad's for the afternoon.Everyone but Malcolm was on board.He was spending the morning with McCoy, since he went to his mother's in the afternoon.So that was understandable.

With a plan in place for tonight, I stacked the blueberry pancakes on a plate and got out the syrup.I poured coffee into a mug for Hattie, and OJ in a glass for me.

I was just sitting down to eat when I heard the footsteps on the stairs.

She appeared wearing a white tank top and flannel pants in a green check.She smiled softly when she saw me."Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you too," I said, feeling content in a way I hadn't before.

Her eyes widened when she saw the stack of pancakes."You cooked."

"I woke up early.Thought I'd make you breakfast."It was the least I could do after not coming home last night until late.

She slid onto the stool next to me, and I handed her a plate."I'm going to miss someone cooking me breakfast when I move back to the apartment."

My stomach sank."Have you heard anything about when you can move in?"

"My landlord said it would be ready in the New Year."

"That's good."It wasn't remotely acceptable.I wanted her to stay here in my cabin where I could see her every day.I'd have to step up my game, starting tonight.I'd have to show her how I felt.I'd been doing a poor job of that.I'd done little things for her, like always digging out her truck, stopping by to bring her lunch, or even stepping in to help with her customers, but it wasn't enough.