"Is that right?" Mom passes me my cup, fixed just how I like it, sugar and lots of cream before handing Tannon and Dad theirs.
"Yes, Ma'am." Tannon smiles at her. "Thanks for the coffee, Mrs. Holiday."
"Call me, Carol." Mom sips from her mug. Stepping close to my side, she whispers. "He's very handsome."
Unable to hide my smile, I agree. "Yes, he is."
"Well, I hate to barge in and run, but your mother gave me a honey-do-list that stretches from here to Polson that needs my attention." My dad sits his coffee back on the tray. "Give this old man another hug." He looks at me, and I step into his arms. "Tannon," he says as he hugs me, "I appreciate you taking care of my daughter and this house." My dad releases me, and I embrace my mom goodbye, then move toward Tannon, who snakes his arms around my waist.
"The pleasure is all mine, Sir," Tannon tells him.
My dad scratches his thick greying beard after crossing his arms over his chest. "How long have the two of you been seeing each other?"
There it is.
I was wondering when he would get around to asking that question. I think about lying for a moment but decide against it. Lying to my dad is like moving a mountain. It doesn't work. He'll see right through me—always has.
"Tannon and I met the other night, Dad," I tell him, and all I hear from my dad is a grunt.
My mom lays her hand on my dad's forearm. "Come on, my love. We were young once. Let's let them be." Dad's features soften with my mom's touch, and he looks down at her. She smiles up at him, her eyes full of love.
I've always admired the love my parents have for one another. Mom adores everything about my dad, even when he is less than perfect. My dad calls my mom his little slice of heaven.
I could read all the romance novels the world has to offer and fantasize about the over the top love I find between each book's pages, but it would never live up to the love story I've watched unfold my entire life. Still, not one word, sentence, or phrase could ever live up to the kind of love and adoration like my parents have for each other, and I only hope to find the same for myself one day. My expectations are higher than average because I have grown up surrounded by something much more significant than a four-letter word.
I look at Tannon, who then looks down at me, and I feel my tummy flutter.
Could I have all of that with him?
Is Tannon my forever?
All I know is my connection with him is far different than anything I have experienced before, and I'm eager to explore the possibilities. Tannon presses his lips to my forehead, and I melt like snow on the first day of spring.
The front door opens, and a cold blast of winter air flows in, and I watch my parents begin to leave. My mom turns around. "We'll see you tonight, sweetie."
"Drive safe. I love you guys." I shiver from the cold, dancing around my bare feet.
"We love you too. Oh, and Tannon, we hope to see you tonight as well, dear." Then my mom closes the front door.
Tannon and I stand silent for a second. "Well, that just happened." I place my coffee mug on the table.
"You have great parents." Tannon spins me to face him with my front pressed against his. Tipping my head back, I look at him and lift my hand to his face, running my fingertips across his beard.
"This is crazy, you know—us?"
"Nothing crazy about knowing what you want, baby." Tannon dips his head and runs his mouth down my neck, and my skin prickles. Tannon's palms skim over my hips before reaching around and grabbing my ass cheeks. My feet leave the floor as Tannon lifts me. I wrap my legs over his hips and feel his erection pressing hard against my center.
"We both should get ready for work." My fingers tangle in his hair as Tannon begins to move.
"We will, but first I'm going to eat breakfast." Tannon carries me up the stairs to the bedroom.
Several hours later, I'm behind the bar making cocktails for a large group of bikers and their old ladies, and I find myself singing along to Bing Crosby's White Christmas that's playing in the background.
"Sweet baby Jesus. God spent a little extra time on those men—their women too." Brinkley busies herself, making a Mistletoe Martini for the older lady at the end of the bar.
"Who?" I fill two large glass pitchers with tap beer.
"The bikers," Brinkley says.
"I'm making their drinks now," I tell her. "They're from Polson."
"I need to make a trip to Polson and get me one," Brinkley swoons. I can't blame her. Those men are fine. "Speaking of fine. I couldn't help but noticed the extra pep in your step today, and I'm willing to bet Mr. Christmas is the reason for the jolly mood you're in." I smile because why hide my happiness. "Spill it." Brinkley places the Martini on a napkin and slides it to the customer.
I continue making the cocktails the group from Polson ordered as I tell my best friend everything. After giving her the rundown, Brinkley stares at me like I've grown another head. "What?"
"You've fallen for this guy," she states, and I laugh.
"No. I'm just taking your advice; living a little and having fun."
Brinkley is silent for a moment. "Winter, I've known you since we were in diapers, so don't try to bullshit a bullshitter. You love this guy." My best friend's statement causes me to pause. Hearing what I already know to be accurate takes root.
"Do you think I'm crazy, Brinkley? I've known Tannon less than 48 hours, yet it feels like I've known him my entire life."
Brinkley places her hand on my arm, and I look at her. "Listen to your heart. What is it telling you?"
At that moment, Tannon walks through the door, and the words move past my lips. "Everything."
"Then, there is your answer." I hear the smile in her voice and pull my eyes from Tannon to face my friend. "Don't question fate, Winter." She spots Tannon. "I'm going to get back to work." She winks then walks away.
Tannon sidles up to an empty seat across from me at the bar. "Come here," he says, and I find myself leaning forward. He grips my chin and presses his warm lips against mine, and he tastes like cinnamon. He pulls back, and I lick his taste that lingers on my lips.
"How was your day?"
"Better now," Tannon grins, and I feel my nipples harden.
Down girls.
Jesus, the effect he has on me.
"Table 4 is waiting for their drinks." I lift the tray from the counter, and Tannon moves from his stool.
"Let me help," he offers, and I let him take the tray from my hands.
Tannon follows close behind as I make my way to the center of the room. I stop at table four, which sits near the hearth's right side, situated between the warmth of the fire and the twinkling lights on the nearby Christmas tree. "Sorry for the wait," I lift a glass from the tray. "We've been extra busy today."
"Don't worry about it, sweetheart," the biker with grey in his thick beard says as I hand the redhead tucked close at his side her Blue-blue Christmas cocktail.
"Who had The Drunk Uncle?" I lift the mason jar from the tray, and a pretty brunette sitting beside a biker with a tattoo on the side of his head lifts her hand. I place it on the table in front of her. "The Grinch?" I grab another drink.