“The last meeting of the year is on Monday—after the wedding but before Christmas.” His gaze lingered on her in spite of himself. She looked so pretty in a lightweight white sweater and dark jeans. One leg was covered in embroidered roses. “But I won’t be able to be there.”
“You need to return to your team,” she guessed. “I could extend my trip, but what if Mom tried to hand over the money to the mayor before that? She sees all the council members often enough.”
“The mayor and all the council members will be at the wedding, too. Don’t forget that Scott Malek is Luke’s cousin.” The Harris family was proud to have regained control of the town once Rachel’s dad fled.
“You think I should try and speak to one of them there? Ask the mayor privately to refuse the money?” She bit her lip, sending his thoughts wandering down a path that would only lead to kissing her again if he wasn’t careful.
“You could. I’m definitely going to confront him about his plans for the cross-country course. Let him know I consider it his tacit approval for my charity event.”
“Someone needs to push them to start making decisions with the town’s mission statement in mind. Spreading joy and cheer to visitors wasn’t just supposed to be a marketing ploy.” She tucked her knees closer to her chin and wrapped her arms around them.
“Someone should,” he agreed. “The focus on profit, by the way, has actually decreased the overall profitability of the town. But I think the more they focus on making money, the less they’re going to connect with people who want to experience the warmth and beauty of the season.”
He let her think about that for a moment, because he couldn’t help reminding her that her father’s creation was failing without a dynamic leader at the helm. When she was quiet for a moment, he continued.
“I know you don’t want to talk about that though. And I actually wanted to speak to you about something else tonight.”
“You do?” There was a hopeful light in her eyes. Or maybe it was simple relief that he wasn’t going to try and persuade her to stay in Yuletide again.
He didn’t let that sway him from his agenda though, knowing this conversation needed to happen.
“Yes.” He shifted on the floor so he could see her better, anchoring an arm on the couch as he turned more fully toward her. “I think we owe it to ourselves to talk about what happened the other night before the bachelorette party.”
Understanding lit her gaze. Her lips worked soundlessly for a moment before they snapped shut. He waited until she tried again.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Her voice had a throaty quality to it all the time. Now? The sudden, heated awareness in the room made it sound all the more sultry.
“I just think there was more to that kiss than we’ve acknowledged.” He didn’t take it lightly. And he knew her well enough to know that she didn’t either. “I don’t think we’re doing each other any favors by pretending it didn’t happen.”
“I’m not pretending.” She shook her head fast, her ponytail swishing against the leather wingback. “It’s just not a conversation that needs to happen right now.” She pursed her lips. Frowned. “Or ever.”
“Rachel.” He tried again. How could he leave this weekend without knowing if there was a chance between them? She’d been in his thoughts nonstop. “Think about this. We already parted ways once without knowing where things could lead between us. We just shut it down and moved on. And look what happened. We’re right back where we left off eight years ago.”
“I know where it could lead,” she informed him flatly, frustration evident in her tense shoulders. “Of course I know. That’s why I’m so careful to leave well enough alone, Gavin. I don’t want my heart broken.”
Her words pulled at something inside him. He understood what she was saying all too well. He felt the same way. At least she finally acknowledged the attraction openly.
“I don’t want my heart trounced either, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to go through life in bubble wrap just to keep it safe.”
“You’re a snowboard cross racer. You embrace risk every day.” She gesticulated with her hands, growing animated and making him realize she’d been thinking about it every bit as much as him. “I do not. I don’t like living on the edge.”
“That’s different.” He was surprised by a fierce need to convince her. “I don’t approach personal relationships with the same mindset I use when I race.”
She seemed to weigh the merits of the argument for a moment before some of the tension leaked out of her shoulders. She sagged against the wingback again. “But we can’t possibly have answers about where a relationship could go when you’re leaving town right after the wedding.”
“A lot can happen before then.” Realistically, he should just probably just let her go, for all of the reasons she’d articulated so well. But he couldn’t seem to make himself accept it. “You haven’t even seen Luke yet. You might make peace with him, with all of Yuletide, and be a hit at the wedding.”
Her half smile was troubled. “I’ve left messages for him. He knows I want to speak to him. But I’ll try again when I deliver the bridesmaid dress to his sister. If he’s avoiding me, however, there’s only so much I can do.” She shook her head, dark ponytail swinging. “I can’t go to the wedding if I haven’t patched things up with him first.”
“I could drag him here.” He didn’t understand why Luke was being so damn obstinate. “He’d have to talk to you then.”
“I’m not making trouble between friends for a second time.” She stared into the crackling flames.
“All I’m asking is that you give us one real date. One more evening together. Go to the rehearsal dinner with me and see what happens.” He would personally make certain that Luke found time to see her tomorrow. As a best man, his role was to ensure the wedding went smoothly, and he figured that gave him license to steer the groom toward decisions that would make his bride happy.
Rachel’s gaze narrowed, a dubious expression pursing her lips. “That’s it?”
“You don’t know how awesome of an evening I can make it.” He hoped. Mostly, he wanted to be with her every second until they had to leave town. Just to see what might happen.
For once, he couldn’t scavenge up the will to think about the upcoming race. All he could think about was her.
“Fine.” She nodded, unfolding herself from where she sat on the floor and getting to her feet. “I’ll go to the rehearsal party with you.”
“But if you can make peace with Luke, you’ll go to the wedding too?” he pressed, knowing that had been the bride’s hope from the beginning.
He rose as well, standing with her in front of the fireplace while the blaze flickered golden shadows over her pretty face.
“Can we just take it one day at a time for now?” she asked, her fingers resting lightly on his chest for a too-brief moment.
His heart thudded faster. Hope, almost too much, tumbled through him hard.
“I can do that.” He wanted her to touch him again. Wanted to touch her too.
“Okay.” She nodded, extending her hand to seal the bargain. “You have yourself a deal.”