Page 45 of The Christmas Dash

All the blood drains from my face and then surges back into it like the rush of water from a dam that’s closed off and then opened. “Calvin’s here?”

“Didn’t he text you? He said he was going to.” Lorrisa shrugs. “Oh well, this is just as well. You can talk to him in person now.”

On cue, Calvin Kell steps out of his dad’s office. He’s dressed just like Richie, in black slacks and a dress shirt. He looks as put-together as ever.

“And Calvin is—?” Gabe mumbles the question next to me.

Before I can answer, Calvin crosses the lobby and reaches for my hand. He still smells the same, and I’m so stunned that he’s here I don’t even know how to respond, nor do I have the wherewithal to introduce Gabe before Calvin leans in and places a lingering kiss on my cheek.

“Bethy, you’re a sight for sore eyes. It’s been too long.”

Chapter 14

Gabe

Just when I finally feel like I’ve got my feet under me after the gondola ride, some dude named Calvin Kell comes in and kicks me in the knees.

Figuratively, of course.

If he would have actually come for my knees, I’d like to think that, given my former football-playing skills, I could have sidestepped the man in the suit.

Or tackled him.

What kind of a name is Calvin Kell, anyway? A hoity-toity one, that’s what.

I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Really. I don’t know these people at all. But, if you’re asking, my first impression is that they’re all a little stuffy.

Ironically, the Valley Peak Chalet is anything but. It’s charming and warm with the caramel-colored leather furniture and oversized Christmas trees lit with colorful old-fashioned bulbs. The deer antler chandelier hanging above us is a nice touch. Very on brand for Dasher Valley. But it’s like the vibe of the room and the vibe of the people who own the room are on different ends of the spectrum.

Calvin Kell is lingering near Beth’s cheek, and honestly, the way he’s looking at her makes me kind of want to pluck one of these ornaments off the tree and throw it at his face. Not really, but also . . . yeah.

I internally chastise myself. Beth and this Calvin character obviously have a history. I’m not sure what the story is there, but whatever it is, I have no right to be jealous.

Beth comes out of a dazed state of shock and reaches up to straighten her glasses, offering Calvin a shy smile.

It’s tentative. A little stunned. A little wary. But not unhappy.

I’ve been around Beth for less than a week and apparently, I’m already back to cataloging her smiles.

“What are you doing here, Calvin?” Beth’s voice is breathy.

“You haven’t heard the news?” Lorissa steps forward and clasps her hands in front of her chest. “He’s moving back to Dasher Valley!”

Beth swings her gaze to Calvin. “For real?”

He grins and spreads his arms out wide. “Honey, I’m home!”

“But what about Chicago?” Beth sounds hesitant. “You left because of the opportunities for you there, right? What changed?”

All very valid questions.

Well said, counselor!

I start to nod and then stop myself. I don’t have any skin in this game. Whatever is going on, it has to do with Beth and Calvin.

Also, I need to stop bingeing so many legal dramas.

Calvin gives a good-natured shrug. “The city wasn’t as shiny as I thought it’d be. I missed a lot of things around here.”