“Oh, yeah. Hi, Brody,” Zellie said quietly.

  “Hello, Zellie.” Brody smiled.

  Zellie looked back at Tia. “How’s the bakery going?”

  Tia’s whole face lit up. “Fantastic! Remodeling is almost done and I’m hoping to open just in time for Valentine’s Day.”

  Zellie gripped Tia’s hands. “Wonderful! Make sure we all know your opening date so we can be there.”

  Tia sighed. “I miss you guys, but I’m so excited about doing my dream job.”

  “We’re super proud of you,” Zellie replied.

  Brody squeezed Tia and smiled at her fondly.

  “I’m surprised your mom let you come,” Tia said hesitantly as her eyes darted to Hank and back to Zellie.

  Zellie sighed. “She didn’t. I’ll have to tell you about it sometime.”

  Tia nodded and her brows furrowed slightly. “How about a lunch sometime soon?”

  “Perfect.”

  Hank grabbed Zellie’s hand. “Want to go see the gardens?”

  Zellie smiled up at her handsome date. “I’d love to. See you two later.” Zellie gave a small wave and followed Hank to grab their coats before heading outside.

  Zellie wrapped her coat around her more tightly as they walked out into the frigid air. “Oooh,” she breathed as she looked at the landscape. “This house just gets better and better.”

  Ice crystals and fairy lights hung from plants and trees, creating a winter wonderland that only existed in dreams.

  Hank wrapped his arm around Zellie’s shoulders and pulled her in close. “I have to admit it’s pretty awesome.”

  “I keep thinking fairies are going to jump out of the bushes,” Zellie said in awe.

  “Well, then you could join them, Sprite.” Hank pressed a quick kiss to her head as they walked.

  Zellie quietly sighed in contentment at the gesture. “So, are we just meandering? Or did you have a specific destination in mind?”

  Hank smiled down at her. “Specific destination. The fireworks will start in about ten minutes and I wanted to show you the best spot to watch them.”

  “Fireworks?” Zellie’s brows shot up.

  “Yep. They do it every year.” Hank looked ahead. “There.” He pointed to a bench not too far ahead of them. “That bench is the best seat in the house.”

  Zellie grinned and followed him. “Brrr ... “ She said as she sat on the cold concrete.

  “Sorry. I didn’t think of how thin your dress was when I planned this.” Hank scrunched up his face.

  “No worries. I’ll be fine. But a little of your body heat wouldn’t go amiss,” Zellie said while batting her eyelashes.

  Hank grinned and his dimple winked. “I can do better than that.”

  Zellie squeaked when he picked her up and plopped her on his lap. “There. No more cold stone.”

  “Nice,” Zellie leaned down on Hank’s shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her. I love this. Her thoughts skidded to a halt. I love him. Oh, my goodness, I think I’m in love with Hank! And we haven’t even kissed! What if he doesn’t feel the same way?

  “Right over there,” Hank broke into her thoughts as he pointed to a spot on the horizon. He glanced at the clock on his cell phone. “They should be counting down and starting any second.”

  They both listened intently and could hear muffled voices shouting as they counted backward. When the voices reached zero, a cheer rang through the air and bursts of color shot into the sky.

  “Whoa ... “ Zellie watched the display in delight.

  “Z?” Hank’s voice was soft and she turned to look at him.

  “Yes?”

  “Have you ever had a New Year’s kiss?” His eyes were wary as they searched hers as if he were worried about being rejected.

  Zellie felt her whole face light up. Leaning down until they were nose to nose, she whispered. “I was hoping you would help me take that off my list.”

  “Absolutely,” Hank murmured right before leaning in the remaining distance and capturing her lips.

  EASY, HANK. TAKE IT easy. Hank forced himself to keep the kiss light, but it was harder than it should have been. She felt so perfect in his arms and tasted even better. One of his hands slid from her back until it cupped the back of her head. The silky feel of her hair was everything he thought it would be.

  When Zellie slid her hands into his own hair and gave a small tug, he very nearly lost control. Cupping her face with both hands, he deepened the kiss, nearly groaning as she met his intensity.

  Pull it back, man. Pull it back. Slowly, achingly, Hank forced himself to let up. Pulling back, he rested his forehead on hers as he caught his breath. Their combined heavy breathing sent large puffs of white smoke into the air around them, reminding him it was winter, even though he didn’t feel cold at all.

  “Thank you,” Zellie whispered.

  Hank grinned. He couldn’t help it. She’s perfect. “I’d be happy to oblige again.”

  Zellie giggled and pecked him on the lips once more. “You have permission to kiss me any time.”

  “Z, I think I’m falling for you.”

  Zellie’s eyes shot up to his. “Really?”

  Hank slowly nodded, trying to gauge her reaction.

  Tears pricked her eyes and she threw her arms around him, burrowing her face in his neck. “I’m falling for you too, Hank, but I wasn’t sure you felt the same.”

  Relief cascaded through Hank and he let out a large breath of relief. He wound his arms around Zellie and hugged her close. Time stood still as he held her, whispering and kissing and dreaming of a future yet to be.

  CHAPTER 10

  Cassia Gothel threw down her binoculars and cursed under her breath as she watched the couple hold each other.

  “After all my work. YEARS! YEARS of planning and this is what I get.” She crawled out of her hiding place and grabbed the binoculars before stomping back to her car. “I’m so close.” She slammed the car door and started the engine. “Only a couple more months and everything would have been perfect.” She hit the steering wheel as she drove.

  As the minutes passed, her anger increased. “NO! He can’t take this away from me. I won’t let that stupid girl ruin this for me. If she won’t listen to reason, then I will just have to do something about it.” She nodded firmly and began to plot.

  ZELLIE CREPT QUIETLY into the house, it was well past midnight and she didn’t want to wake her mother. Holding the knob, she closed the garage door as softly as she could. Then turned to creep down the hallway.

  “A little late, isn’t it?”

  Zellie squealed as a light turned on and her mother’s sharp tones carried down the hall. Putting her hand to her chest, she bent over and caught her breath. “Good grief, mother. You startled me. I thought you’d be in bed by now.”

  “You’d think so, wouldn’t you. However, I felt the need to wait up and make sure my daughter was safe.”

  Zellie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Well, I’m fine. Thank you for waiting, but we can both go to bed now.”

  “I just want you safe.”

  Zellie paused and narrowed her eyes at her mother’s tone. “What are you talking about?”

  Cassia dabbed at the corner of her eyes as if she were crying. “I know you think I’m the bad guy, keeping you away from men all this time, but I’m just trying to help. You don’t understand what they are capable of. You’ve never had your heart shattered and broken into so many pieces it couldn’t be repaired again.” She sniffled.

  Zellie’s shoulders dropped and suddenly her body felt heavy and tired. “I know, mother. And I’ve always been obedient to your wishes.”

  “Until now,” Cassia scolded.

  Zellie nodded. No point in denying it. “Until now.”

  “Why?” Cassia threw her arms in the air. “Why do you feel the need to defy me? Why do you refuse to stay safe? I love you!” Cassia reached out to Zellie. “And yet you throw away that love as if it were nothing. For him!” She sneered. “For a man who will throw you away as soon as you are of no use to him. Let’s face it, we both know you will never be the kind of woman to hold a man’s attention for long. You’re a P.E. teacher for heaven’s sake! What would you even have to offer him?” She shook her head. “Nothing. Which means it’s only a matter of time before he leaves, breaking your heart in the process.”

  Only a couple of months ago, Zellie would have cowered under her mother’s yelling. But she couldn’t anymore. She had tasted freedom and had no desire to go back. “Stop it!” She yelled at her mother.

  Cassia’s eyes widened, but she stopped talking.

  “You have kept me in a prison my whole life and I won’t do it anymore. I’m done.” Zellie took a deep breath and brought down the volume of her voice. “You should know that I’m moving out tomorrow.”

  Cassia reared back as if she had been slapped. “You don’t mean that. This boy has obviously—”

  “This has nothing to do with Hank!” Zellie shouted again. “This has nothing to do with him,” she said more quietly, getting a hold of herself. “This is about a mother who doesn’t care what makes her daughter happy. This is about a mother who has nothing good to say about her daughter. This is about feeling like I have to walk on eggshells in my own house. This is about feeling so guilt-ridden about what happened to you that I take care of everything.” Zellie stood tall and faced her mother head on. “This is about me growing a backbone and becoming my own person. This is about not letting my mother run my life when I’m almost twenty-five years old. This is about me!” Zellie pointed to her own chest. “This is about me. About me and what makes me happy. About me living my own life. It should have started a long time ago.” Zellie softened her tone. “I signed a lease a month ago and was just waiting out the holidays. My things are packed in my room and I will be leaving in the morning.”

  Cassia’s worried countenance fell away and a cool indifference covered her face. Zellie was shocked as her mother appeared to become a whole new person.

  “Well, look who finally grew a spine ... suit yourself,” Cassia said in a deadly calm voice. “Just remember that you brought this on yourself.” Spinning on her heel, Cassia stalked to her bedroom and shut the door.

  What the heck does that mean? Frustrated and tired, Zellie shook her head and went to her room, asleep before her head even hit the pillow.

  CHAPTER 11

  “This is the last one!” Zellie said with a smile as she set a box down on the kitchen counter of her new apartment.

  Hank put his hands on his hips and looked around. “It’s nice! I’m sure it will look better after you get some furniture in it, though.”

  Zellie socked him in the arm and Hank held onto her fist.

  “Careful now, wouldn’t want you to break your hand.” He grinned.

  “Oh, you!” Zellie started play punching him in the chest and stomach and while laughing, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close so she couldn’t hit him anymore.

  “Hey,” he said softly, looking down into her eyes.

  “Hey,” Zellie said just as softly.

  Hank leaned down and gave her a soft, lingering kiss.

  Zellie’s eyes fluttered shut at his touch and stayed closed after he pulled back. A small smile played on her lips as she savored the residual feel of him. “Thank you,” she whispered, then opened her eyes to look at him.

  Hank’s dimple popped when he smiled. He leaned down and put his forehead to hers. “What do you say we celebrate your independence?”

  Zellie’s smiled widened. “What did you have in mind?”

  “How about on Friday you come to my house and I’ll cook.” He leaned down and nuzzled her ear. “We’ll light some candles and play some soft music.” He worked his way down to her jaw and rubbed his lips along her soft skin just under the edge of her jawbone. “I’ll even break out a bottle of sparkling cider.”

  Zellie giggled as she tilted her head sideways to allow Hank better access. “Pulling out the big guns, I see.”

  Placing a soothing kiss on her collarbone, he pulled back. “Darn right! What do you think?”

  “I think it sounds lovely,” Zellie said with a smile.

  “Great. It’s a date.”

  Zellie felt like her face might split, she was grinning so hard. “Perfect.”

  HANK FELT LIKE HIS heart was going to burst clean out of his chest. He had cleaned and re-cleaned his house, but he still worried that there was something he missed. He stood looking at the dining table but his eyes were having trouble focusing.

  Candles. Did I get the candles? Yes, there they are. “Plates, knives, forks, spoons. All in order.” He walked around to the bucket of ice. “Sparkling cider is chilled.” He glanced around. “Chairs tucked in. Chicken in the oven. Should be ready in ... “ he glanced at his cell phone, “thirty minutes.” He drummed his fingers on the top of one of the chairs. “Oh, man.” He bent over and tried to slow down his breathing. “This is ridiculous.” Maybe so, but it’s not every day that you tell a woman that you love her. “True,” he muttered out loud.

  He looked at his phone again. “Z should be here any minute. Okay, I’m ready.” He rubbed his hands on his pant legs, trying to get rid of their clamminess.

  The doorbell rang and Hank nearly jumped out of his skin. “Showtime,” he murmured.

  Walking over, he swung open the door with a little too much force and a wide grin on his face. “Rapunzel,” he breathed when he caught sight of her.

  She stood on his porch with a shy smile on her face. Her grey blouse brought out the unique tone of her eyes and set off her bright, blonde hair to perfection. She wore high waisted, black slacks that showcased her slim, athletic figure and made Hank’s fingers itch to wrap his arms around her waist. The best part of her outfit was the bright, red stilettos that gave her a couple more inches and brought her up to an easy kissing level.

  “Hello, Hank,” Zellie said.

  “Hello, gorgeous,” Hank replied with a smile. He reached out and took her hand, pulling her into the house. “Get in here.” Pulling her in just far enough, he shut the door and slowly pushed her back until she was caged in. “You look stunning,” Hank whispered in her ear before kissing her lobe.

  Zellie sighed and the sound rushed over Hank like a warm waterfall. “You look pretty good yourself.” Zellie’s tone was huskier than usual and Hank loved it.

  “Are you particularly attached to that wonderful lipstick you’re wearing?” He leaned back and traced a finger along her jawline.

  “I brought extra in my purse.”

  “Smart woman.” Hank wasted no time in capturing her lips and setting the tone for their romantic evening.

  ZELLIE GAVE A SMALL groan and sat back in her chair. Setting her napkin on the table, she said, “That was delicious. And I’m stuffed.”

  Hank grinned while he chewed and Zellie caught sight of that fascinating dimple.

  “Where in the world did you learn to cook like that?”

  Hank coughed and a light blush ran up his cheeks.

  “What?” Zellie’s face scrunched.

  Hank swallowed and reached up to rub the back of his neck. “Well, to be honest. I, uh, I didn’t cook.”

  “That was take-out? Really?”

  “Uh, no. That was Tia.”

  Zellie paused for a moment before throwing her head back and laughing. She wiped tears from the corner of her eyes as she sucked in deep breaths to calm down. “That was actually quite brilliant. Now I’m sorry I asked. I’d have never known and would have just always believed you were this phenomenal artist in the kitchen.”

  Hank grinned. “Next time I’ll change the subject or distract you.”

  “Sounds good,” Zellie grinned back.

  Hank pushed his chair back and stood up from the table. “Tonight is a celebration!” He walked around and helped Zellie out of her chair. “Tonight we celebrate your independence and us.”

  Zellie tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Us, huh?”

  Hank leaned down and kissed her nose. “Yes. Us.”

  Zellie reached up and wrapped her arms around Hank’s neck. “Sounds good to me,” she murmured as she leaned in for a kiss.

  After a few moments, Hank pulled back with a groan. “Stop distracting me, Z. There are things to do tonight.”

  Zellie laughed and let go of him. While Zellie walked toward the couch, Hank grabbed a couple of glasses and a bottle of sparkling cider. Setting everything on the coffee table, Hank opened the bottle and poured them both some.

  “Thank you,” Zellie said softly as she took the glass from his fingers.

  Hank sat down beside her and leaned over. “Congratulations on moving out.” He gave her a soft kiss. “How are you feeling about it?”

  Zellie slid a little and rested her head on his shoulder, her drink on her knee. “Okay. Sad. I don’t know. I hate that things were left unsettled, but I’m not sorry I left.” She put her head up and looked at him. “Does that make sense?”

  Hank took a drink then set his glass on the coffee table. “Of course. I mean, I never had a mom, but I can imagine no one wants to be fighting with them.” Hank put his around Zellie’s shoulders and pulled her in close.

  Zellie leaned forward and set down her glass before snuggling into his side. “So, what did you have in mind for our celebration.”

  Hank kissed the top of Zellie’s head. ‘Beside lots and lots of kissing?”

  Zellie shook a little as she laughed. “Yes. Besides that.”

  Hank chuckled with her. “Well, I thought we could try that movie thing again, only this time I would actually be willing to touch you.”

  “That,” Zellie leaned back so she was nose to nose with Hank. “Is the best thing I’ve heard all evening.”

  Hank gave her a quick peck then stood up. “So, what do you want to watch.” He grabbed the remote and sat back down. “We can rent something mushy if you want.”

  Zellie scrunched up her face. “I’m actually not that into romance movies. How about a sports one?”

 

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