“What ‘uh-oh’? Who is it?” Chrissy whispered.

  Beth whispered in return. “You may want to go to the bathroom to finish cleaning up. Maybe even change your shirt.”

  Chrissy unfolded herself from the couch and approached as she continued to wipe at the sticky soda running down her neck. “Beth, who—” She stopped mid-stride when she heard the voice from the other side of the door.

  “Beth, come on, open up. I know you’re in there.”

  Clint!

  “Oh, cheese and rice!” Chrissy shouted in a whisper as she put her glasses back on. “What’s he doing here?”

  “I don’t know!” Her friend replied just as silently.

  “Is everything okay?” Clint asked from the other side of the door.

  “Just a minute!” Beth said as she faced away from the door. She whispered again to Chrissy to get in the bathroom and clean up.

  “I’m going to hide in there until he leaves,” she mumbled while she silently ran down the hall. Barely getting the door shut before Beth greeted Clint, she tried not to hyperventilate as she washed off Beth’s soda shower.

  “Jeez-oh-peezo, of all the rotten timing,” Chrissy began. “I am not leaving this bathroom no matter what! All because I can’t even face Clint Jessup.”

  She stopped her movements to look at herself in the mirror. Sticky brown hair framed her face. Large emerald eyes stared back through streaky glasses. Pink lips that were a little too plump—the only feature on her body that was—pouted back at her. Her purple Tinkerbell pajama top was now speckled with spots.

  “Christine Harrison, you’re a coward. He’s just a person.”

  After she washed her face and cleaned her glasses, Chrissy ran a brush through her matted hair. “Albeit an older gorgeous man who makes me lose all train of thought whenever he’s around. Causing me to act like the many other immature, infatuated groupies who flock to the Café whenever he’s there.” She set the brush on the counter to stare at herself again. “But how to show him that’s not me?”

  Maybe she should listen to Beth and give it a shot. But, would she be setting herself up for heartache? What if his interest was short-lived, and after succumbing to his charms, they were ripped away?

  But, what if it led to something wonderful? What if she took a chance and it really paid off?

  “Gah! Just go out there.”

  Determined not to hide, even though she was no more certain than she was before, she pulled open the door, intent on facing Cl—

  “Oh!” She started as she ran into the man consuming her thoughts.

  “Chrissy, sorry,” he said as he held her arms to steady her. “You okay? I didn’t expect you here.”

  All Chrissy could do was stare into his hazel eyes. She felt the warmth of his touch through the long sleeves of her shirt. Her embarrassing, juvenile Tinkerbell shirt. Under which she had no bra. And her nipples chose that moment to perk up.

  Chrissy’s insides turned to pudding while a rosy blush covered her face. She watched as Clint raked his gaze down her body and back up again, lingering for a fraction longer on her chest, then her lips. She watched his eyes reconnect with hers. Watched as they darkened.

  She stood wide-eyed and motionless.

  ****

  Clint continued to be mesmerized by Chrissy’s innocence. Something about her captured and held his attention for months. And recently, when she had refused his inept attempt at asking her out, he seemed more determined than ever to get to know her. Underneath that shy introvert, Clint saw glimpses of intelligence and humor, of beauty and compassion.

  He even fumbled through a few more attempts at asking her out, only to have her avoid him afterward. Probably for the better, he thought. No sense in starting something just to have it end too quickly, because who knew where life would take him once he graduated.

  But with his hands on her, he could feel her warmth through the thin fabric of her top. He could see her nipples strain against the material, almost begging for his attention. He couldn’t help but think about kissing those luscious lips that puckered so nicely. About the slide of his tongue into her sweet mouth. About discovering what other places on her body would be sweet.

  Before his thoughts got out of control in an embarrassing fashion, he felt Beth’s hand on his shoulder. He quickly turned, dropping his hands away from Chrissy.

  “So,” Beth began, “what are you doing here?”

  “Nice greeting.”

  She mockingly glared at him. “Well, I figured you’d be home by now. We weren’t expecting any company.”

  “I can see that,” he said as he nodded at her Hello Kitty attire and messy ponytail. “Pajama party? And I wasn’t invited?”

  “Like I said, I figured you’d be home by now, what, living only an hour away.” She crossed her arms almost indignantly. “It’s the first night of many planned for just us gals.”

  Clint turned around to face Chrissy. “You aren’t heading home for the holidays?”

  Her head barely lifted as she answered. “No, I, uh, my parents had plans I didn’t want to take part in, and I didn’t want them to change their plans for me. So, Beth invited me to stay the week with her.”

  “Oh, that’s great. Well, I was just coming to see if Beth changed her mind about joining me and my family for the holidays, and, well, you’re welcome to come too if you’d like.”

  Clint’s mind suddenly filled with images of them riding horses or playing in the snow at his family’s ranch. He was filled with the hope they may have a chance to get to know one another outside of the school atmosphere. Snow meant warm, cozy nights by a roaring fire. Which could lead to snuggling—

  Chrissy’s eyes widened and she looked poised to answer, but Beth’s voice broke through first.

  “Thanks, Clint, but we’re good here. Aren’t we, Chrissy?”

  “Oh, yeah, we’re good,” she said, sounding dejected. She looked quickly at Clint giving a weak smile before excusing herself back into the bathroom.

  Clint didn’t get a chance to say another word as the door softly shut. He stared at it for a moment before Beth spoke again.

  “Hey, Clint, you should probably get a move on if you want to beat the storm that’s heading this way.”

  He spun to face his friend. “Sure, yeah, I probably should.” He and Beth walked toward the door. “You sure you two don’t want to join me? You know there’s plenty of room. Mom and Sadie would be pleased as punch to have a few more ladies around.”

  Sadie helped his mom run the household and take care of the ranch hands at the Jessup Ranch just over the hills from Boise.

  “Uh-huh, I’m sure she’s not the only one who’d like to have a certain lady around.”

  “Why whatever do you mean, Bethany Ann?”

  Beth snickered at him calling her by her full name. “Just take this break to think if you really want to be starting something with Chrissy,” she spoke softly.

  Clint drew back. “What do you mean? Weren’t you just telling me to ask her out?”

  “Yes, yes I was. And I’m not saying you still can’t, I’m just saying be sure, because that young lady has got it bad for you, and as much as I love you, I don’t want to see her hurt.”

  “Gee, okay, mom.”

  “Clint,” Beth drew out. “I’m not saying you’d intentionally hurt her either, just … dammit, she’s fragile, you know? And like you said, with you almost done with school, and with Chrissy having more time, you just never know where life will take you.”

  “And that’s what life is all about, Beth. The journey.” Clint had to rush on before Beth could interrupt. “Listen, I get it, I do. Part of the reason I was heading over was to talk to you about my interest in her. Because I am—interested in her, that is.” He smiled at his friend. “And now that I know she’s interested in me, well, that gives me something to think on. How I want to approach her.”

  “Great. Now take this break to figure that out while I do my best to boost her confidence and convince her to give you a try. She’s just not ready yet.”

  “Wow, you really gotta sell me, don’t you?”

  Beth laughed. “No, but she needs more confidence. You, however, have plenty. And I think she’s due to get those braces off soon, which will definitely help. Now git.” She playfully pushed Clint to the door.

  Just as Beth opened it, Chrissy emerged. Clint turned in her direction and their gazes collided, and the last thing he wanted to do was walk through that door. He wanted to walk to the green-eyed beauty, scoop her in his arms, and kiss her senseless. He wanted to convince her to come to his family’s ranch so he could be the one building her confidence about giving them a shot.

  “Clint, drive safe, okay?” Beth said.

  He spun to face her and nodded before turning back to Chrissy. “Have a good holiday, Chrissy. Be sure to keep this one outta trouble.” He winked and smiled while hooking his thumb over his shoulder at Beth.

  And his heart nearly exploded at the sight of Chrissy’s blushing smile. Braces and all.

  “I’ll do my best,” she answered.

  Clint nodded and then turned away to give his friend a quick hug. “Happy holidays, Beth.”

  “Happy holidays, boy-o.”

  He walked through the door, and once shut, he could only lean his forehead against the wood, wishing he wasn’t on this side, listening to what was being said. He shifted his stance to accommodate the growing bulge in his pants.

  “Dammit,” he muttered. After a few moments, hearing the quiet take over, Clint pushed away from Beth’s door to make his way to his vehicle. During his drive home, thoughts of Chrissy filled his head, and a smile never left his face.

  ****

  “You okay?” Beth asked Chrissy. “You’re like a statue standing there.”

  “What the hell just happened?”

  Beth’s eyes widened as she stood a little straighter, her mouth forming an O. “You cussed. You never cuss!”

  “Yeah, well, I’ve never been sized-up by the man of my dreams, either. I mean, other than in my dreams.”

  “He got a quick peek of those perky little things, did he?” Beth twirled her finger at Chrissy’s chest and winked.

  “You had to throw in the little, didn’t you?” Chrissy’s lip twitched as the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

  Both broke out in laughter, grabbing on to one another.

  “Well, one thing’s for sure, you’ve got some good fodder for some sexy dreams.”

  “Like I needed any help. That man occupies half my dreams already.”

  “This will fill in the other half until you see him again after the holidays,” Beth cooed as she led them both back to the couch.

  “Yeah, about that. Why turn down his invite? Wouldn’t that be fun to spend the holiday at his ranch? Besides, I thought you wanted me to give him a chance?”

  “And I do, my sweet,” Beth playfully said. “But I told Clint you needed your confidence boosted.”

  “You. Said. What?” She would have jumped off the couch had her friend not caught her arms.

  “Easy, now.”

  “Beth?” Chrissy practically whined. “So now he knows I am interested in him?”

  “I think he’s had an idea, but with you shutting him down, he wasn’t sure what to make of that and was going to reassess his attempt.”

  “And you two are now in cahoots?”

  “Well, he is my best friend, and you’re my newest best friend, so what could be better than the two of you getting together?”

  Chrissy snorted with laughter. “I only wish by some miracle in the next few weeks that I’d lose these braces and my eyes would self-correct.”

  “Weren’t you saying the braces come off soon?”

  “Two more months.”

  “That’s not long at all. Chrissy, listen, you’re a beautiful person, and Clint sees that. Now, you just need to see that.” Beth waved her hand in front of Chrissy. “All this will soon change and you’ll be that much more beautiful.”

  “Uh-huh,” she said skeptically.

  “You’ll see,” Beth said confidently. “Now, about your confidence.”

  The girls giggled as they resumed their planned night of GRIMM and junk food. And of course, they sprinkled the evening with talk about sexy Clint, and Beth’s plan for Chrissy to wow him after Christmas break.

  ****

  Unfortunately, that was not to be.

  Chrissy had to leave unexpectedly during the break due to an illness with her mother. And although thoughts of Clint came and went over the years, it would be some time before they’d set eyes on one another again.

  ****

  Fast forward ten years…

  Chrissy had been going over details of several clients with her assistant, Zac, while they strolled through the Bridgestone Museum of Art in Tokyo. Their trip proved to be very worthwhile. Not only had they conducted business with a local colleague of sorts, but they also secured items for several clients back in the States.

  Chrissy was the driving force behind her business “Pristine by Christine” an architectural design studio in Denver, Colorado. And Zac was her not-so-silent business partner, seeing as he was the initial bankroll in their venture.

  “Chrissy, sweetheart, time to kick butt.”

  “Zac, I don’t want to kick butt,” she whined. “I want to conduct business as professionally as possible and be done with this.”

  “Darling,” Zac drawled. “You can never be done with this. It’s your life.”

  Chrissy loved Zac’s tenacity, his feisty attitude, and his playful spirit. They met at Metro State College in Denver after Chrissy returned home years ago from Boise. After taking two years off to help her family deal with her mother’s cancer, she returned to school to get her degree in design. She and Zac bonded like nobody’s business.

  And it was nobody’s business but theirs.

  They grew very close and had even attempted a sexual encounter out of pure loneliness. But the attempt only proved to Zac what he’d really known most of his life—he was gay. Luckily, they could laugh about it now. Chrissy took on a sisterly role after that, keeping them focused on school and their eventual business partnership.

  “I know,” Chrissy said as she returned Zac’s comment. “I’m just ready to take a break. We’ve worked nonstop for two weeks, and there’s more to Japan than just business. I want to take advantage of that before it’s time to go home.”

  “Agreed. Now, let’s do this so the fun can begin.” Zac wiggled his brows.

  “My little Chihuahua,” Chrissy teased, earning herself a pinch on the rear and a playful growl. Without shoes, she was a good five inches taller than Zac, standing at five-nine. Today, in her heels, the height difference was comical.

  “Now, now, my Amazon warrior. Careful how you treat the help.”

  “Oh, Zac, stop. You know you’re more than that to me.”

  “So, it wasn’t just my money you were after?”

  Chrissy chuckled. “Well, there was that.”

  They carried on, ready to meet their colleague. Zac led Chrissy into the room where they would conclude the sale of a piece of artwork. They noticed a gentleman there who clearly was not the man they were supposed to meet.

  Chrissy admired his lean build, approving of the way his khakis molded to his behind. His glossy black hair was neatly trimmed, showing a tanned neckline. His forearms were tan as well, his hands resting casually in his pockets.

  Chrissy watched the stranger turn upon hearing their arrival. She gave a slight gasp as their eyes met, which caused Zac to reach for her.

  “What is it?” Zac looked at Chrissy, then back to the stranger who stood motionless.

  Clint Jessup! Chrissy’s mind screamed, the recognition instantaneous after all these years. How can this be?

  She watched his eyebrows lift in curiosity and wondered what he must be thinking. Evidently, he didn’t recognize her, given she had no glasses, no braces, wavy, layered hair, and a bit more curves. As her mind swirled, she mustered the strength not to faint right then and there.

  “Hello,” he said cautiously. “I’m sorry, am I not supposed to be in here?”

  Zac spoke up, as it seemed Chrissy was too stunned to do so. “You’re fine. We were just expecting someone else, a business associate of ours. He should be here any moment.”

  “Good,” Clint returned. “I didn’t want to cause a stir.” He looked at the still-silent Chrissy. “Am I causing a stir?”

  “You most certainly are,” she replied softly without thinking before quickly slapping a hand over her mouth. She watched Clint’s lips twitch in amusement.

  I am so in trouble. What is he doing here?

  “What are you doing here?” She spoke her thoughts before actually thinking it over. She then slapped her hand to her mouth again.

  “Chrissy, what is the matter with you?” Zac softly demanded through clenched teeth.

  She watched a brief look of curiosity cross Clint’s face before realization struck.

  “Chrissy Harrison?”

  Zac added his shocked expression to the mix. He looked from Clint to Chrissy, back to Clint again. “Whom, may I ask, are you?”

  Both Chrissy and Clint answered simultaneously.

  “Clint Jessup.”

  “Oh. Oh!” Zac said, looking back to Chrissy.

  Chrissy knew Zac now realized this was the Clint Jessup she had told him about years ago. She had confessed her giant crush on him, and the sadness she often felt at not reconnecting with him.

  She continued to stare at Clint, unable to look away.

  Ah jeez. Helplessly caught in his tractor beam again. Dang it! Haven’t I outgrown this already?

  Chrissy mentally shook herself. “I’m so sorry. This is such a surprise. It’s been, what, ten years?”

  “About that,” Clint answered, shifting his stance. “I always wondered about you.”

  “You did?” Chrissy nearly whispered.

  “Of course. I always wondered how you and your family were,” Clint started. “Beth told me a little about why you returned home so suddenly. But contact between you two seemed to taper off.”

 

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