Page 57 of Miss Understanding

“Here, I’ll show you.” I made a ball and rolled it along by the illumination of the porch light.

She smiled and did the same. None of the balls we made were very big, but we soon had three of them on top of one another. She was beaming with pride, taking out her camera phone to snap a picture with the flash. “My first snowman.”

“It’s kind of sad,” I remarked wishing we had a chance to do the whole carrot nose and face for it.

She held up a snowball, grinning at me. “Take it back.”

I shook my head. “Nope. It’s sad and without a face.”

She let the ball fly. It did no damage since it basically fell apart.

Unable to resist, I reached down and formed a good one, pelting her on the chest of her coat with it.

She smiled, picking up more snow, pressing it into a ball, and chucking it at me. This one managed to hit me smack in the face.

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry. I wasn’t aiming there.” But she was in a fit of giggles.

I took her down to the soft snow, holding up a snowball above her face.

“You sure about that?”

She was grinning. “Yes. Please spare me.”

“Mm. I don’t think so.” I only took a chunk off, but plunked it on her nose, causing her to squeal.

“Shh, too loud.” It was early morning on a Friday, and there were plenty of neighbors.

One moment we were both breathing hard and laughing, the next, my lips were on hers. I hadn’t meant it to happen, yet the kiss seemed like the most natural thing in the world.

Then her arms wound around my neck. Her tongue invaded my mouth, dueling with mine. Damn. This time we couldn’t excuse our behavior on a fake girlfriend act or my vulnerability over my father’s funeral. I could feel her shifting, almost as though she was trying to put her legs around me.

I wanted it, too. More than anything. But the puffy jacket was like a chastity coat, preventing either one of us from making a further mistake. Or making us miss our flight. I pulled away reluctantly, getting to my feet and helping her up beside me.

“We shouldn’t have done that.”

She nodded. “I know. I’m sorry.”

Her apology once again took me off guard. She was so free with it.

Reaching out, I cupped her chin. “I’m sorry, too. I’ll get the bags loaded if you want to start the truck.”

She was probably freezing from having lain in the snow.

We drove in silence, only stopping for a coffee place when my stomach demanded I put some food in it. I settled for a latte and croissant while she passed.

Finally, unable to stand it anymore, I had to bring up the kiss. “Are you upset?”

She glanced over. “No, why would I be?”

“Because we crossed a line. Again.”

“We already both admitted it was a mistake. I’m not telling anyone. But I’d rather not talk about it, either.”

Okay. God, I wanted to believe her. I truly did. Deciding a change in subject was in order, I asked the question: “Did you upgrade your flights to first class?”

“No need. I’m good with coach.”

“When we get there, we’ll ask the agent.”