Big Man for Christmas - Penny Wylder Page 0,30

if you’d like to join us. Jess is trying a new chili recipe for the fireworks potluck and I think she’d like an opinion from someone who’s not related to her.”

What the hell is he doing? My heart is pounding in my ears. I’m hot and staring at Casey, seeing what he’s going to do. I can’t breathe. What am I going to do if I’m in the same room with both my family and Casey? I’m not sure my heart will be able to take it.

Casey looks at me, and smiles, seeing the state that I’m in. “That’s all right, Mr. Farrell, I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“You wouldn’t be imposing in the slightest. I insist you join us. You deserve a home cooked meal as much as anyone.”

A laugh. “You insulting my cooking skills?”

“I absolutely am,” Dad says. “My wife has told me stories.”

Casey laughs and looks at me. “In that case, I accept. What time should I come over?”

“As soon as you clean up. We’re happy to have you. But lunch is at one o’clock.”

We drive on, and Dad looks over at me, just smiling. Great. This is just great. Perfect.

10

Casey

The truck drives off down the road and I curse under my breath. I should have made some excuse to decline. Shouldn’t have given in so easily. I saw Carley’s face, and she was terrified. But I so badly want to be near her that I might have just fucked it all up.

Mrs. Farrell hates me, and Jessica does too. I highly doubt she’ll give a shit about my opinion of her chili. When I was in seventh grade, Jessica asked me out, and I said no. She was a year older, and by that time I already knew that I liked Carley, even if I wouldn’t admit it to myself. So of course, I said no.

For whatever reason, Jessica was entirely devastated, and her mother joined her in her instant loathing of me. Jessica’s mockery, and the fear of what they might say, were one of the reasons that Carley and I never went public when we got together. I hoped that we would eventually. But then Firework Night happened…

And everything else.

But I’ll go and eat that chili even if it’s the worst thing in the world to be near Carley.

At least she likes me well enough. Not enough to stay in my bed until breakfast, though. My chest still aches at that. After what she’s been through, I’m not surprised, but in the moment, it still makes me ache.

I woke just before dawn already reaching for her, and she was gone. For a moment, I worried that it really had been a vivid dream. But it wasn’t. A few of her crazy, curly, blonde hairs were left across the pillow, and the sheets still smelled like her. The room still smelled like sex. And no dream I’ve ever had left me feeling that kind of satisfied.

No, Carley Farrell was far better than any dream. Softer, sweeter, and hotter. She was skittish—I understand why. But while she is here, and hopefully for a long time after that, I am going to show her that she doesn’t have any reason to run away from me.

And I am going to make sure that our night has a repeat. Soon. Tonight, actually. The last three nights have been unbearably cold and lonely. I don’t question the fact she crashed into my life and turned it upside down. I think that’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for. Someone to turn me upside down and spin me around and let me do the same to them.

I have an idea that might let Carley let go exactly the way I think she wants to. Now I just have to see if she will go for it.

I have a little time. I’m not going to show up too early. Somehow I don’t think that would go over well with Mrs. Farrell. So I finish the repair I’m working on and then head back to the house to change my clothes and pick up something to bring. My mother instilled the idea in me that I should never go to someone’s home without emptyhanded

Though it would be easy enough to walk, I have deliveries after lunch. So I take the truck and walk up to the Farrell’s door at exactly one o’clock with a jug of sweet tea and a box of rolls a neighbor gave me. I can hear the commotion even outside, and