Yours for Christmas

Because Jack knew about Kenny’s past and how he avoided single mothers.

“We’re friends,” Kenny said. “I could ask her if she’d like to go.”

“It’s up to you. You could fly in one of your models. Of course the dinner would be wasted. Doesn’t it bother you how they only fake eat? No actual food passes their lips.”

“Just because you’re engaged to a regular woman now, don’t pretend you didn’t date models in your day.”

Jack’s smile turned smug. “I dated everyone in my day. I’ve matured and I know better now. I have the best woman on the planet and I’m going to do everything in my power to make her happy for the rest of her life. That and win a national football championship.”

“As long as you have your priorities,” Kenny said. “I’ll talk to Bailey and let you know what she says.”

“Good.”

Jack rose and left.

Kenny tried to return his attention to his computer, but what he saw instead of the screen was Bailey. He would like to take her to the dinner. As long as they were both clear on the rules.

* * *

BAILEY WATCHED KENNY carefully tighten her daughter’s skates. There was something so sweet and sexy about a big guy helping a little girl, she thought. Those large hands and those little skates. Not that this was anything but friends getting together, she reminded herself. Kenny was a good guy. Good enough to warn her that he wasn’t interested in her romantically.

For a brief moment, she allowed herself to fantasize about telling him she didn’t need the romance. That an hour or two in his bed was all the holiday cheer she needed. But as fun as that sounded, she knew it was completely unrealistic. She’d only been with one man in her life. And that was her husband...after the wedding. She was old-fashioned.

As much as she might miss the things a man could do to her body, she couldn’t do those things lightly. She might not have to be married the second time around, but she knew she would have to be in love. And falling for Kenny would be an emotional disaster.

So she would simply enjoy the sight of him kneeling on the ice while Chloe tried to stand on the slippery surface, all the while balanced on a blade.

Her daughter hung on to his hands as she got her balance. Bailey finished with her own skates and stood. She wobbled a bit, then found her center of gravity and moved toward Chloe.

Her daughter stared at her. “Mommy, you can skate!”

“Sort of. It’s been a while, but it’s coming back.”

She moved to Chloe’s side and held out her hand. “Let’s try moving. It’s easier than standing still.”

Kenny stood. He, of course, had no problem skating. He moved with a grace and sureness that she admired. At the same time she wondered what it must have been like to be so physically gifted. Not that she would ever know.

He was on Chloe’s other side. Her daughter took his hand and together the three of them started across the ice.

The rink had been set up at the far end of the resort’s parking lot. There was a canvas structure with sides that could be rolled up when the weather was cold enough—like tonight. The temperature had to be in the twenties. They could see their breath and the stars overhead. So far it had been cold, but they hadn’t gotten snow.

“Try bending your knees a little,” Kenny was saying. “It’ll help you balance. If you start to fall, don’t wave your arms. Get closer to the ground. Lowering your center of gravity will help keep you balanced.”

When they both stared at him, he shrugged. “I used to have Rollerblades. I can’t help it. I’m good at stuff like this.”

Chloe pulled free of their hands. “I want to try it on my own.”

She moved her legs and skated a little away from them. She was surprisingly steady. Either Kenny’s athletic prowess was rubbing off, or Chloe had inherited her skill from Will.

The three of them made a few turns around the rink. There were other families out, along with teenagers on dates and younger kids in groups. Chloe caught sight of a couple of her friends and asked if she could skate with them.

“Sure,” Bailey told her. “Just don’t leave the rink.”

“I won’t,” Chloe called over her shoulder as she hurried away.

Kenny sighed heavily. “They grow up so fast.”

Bailey laughed. “They do.”

He tucked her arm into the crook of his arm, which meant they were skating close together. She told herself to go with the moment and not read too much into his actions. He was, after all, basically a nice man.

“I have confirmation on the bedroom set delivery,” she said. “It’s the Monday before the move.”

“That’s good. So she’ll have it for her first night in the new house.”

Bailey nodded. She still couldn’t believe her good fortune—being able to buy her very own house. Whatever else happened to her in her life, she would always have that accomplishment.

“There’s going to be a dinner,” Kenny said abruptly. “With Jack and Larissa and Sam and Dellina.” He looked at her. “I’d like to take you. It’s at Henri’s.”

Bailey stopped and looked at him. Henri’s was a fancy restaurant, at a very nice hotel up on the mountain. Something hot and hopeful bubbled to life inside of her.

“If we could go as friends,” he added carefully.

The bubbles all popped. She forced herself not to let her disappointment show.