Page 58 of Just One Spark

He winked at me before he opened the window and asked the first person in line, "Can I help you?"

"Can I get two hot chocolates with marshmallows?"

"That'll be six dollars."He inputted the order into the credit-card reader, then moved toward me, pouring the hot chocolate as if he'd done it a million times before.

"Are you sure about this?"

He grinned."I'll be so good that they'll come back for more."

I laughed despite my pure exhaustion and sat on the stool I kept for times when it was quiet and my feet hurt.It felt so good to sit down.I slowly unwrapped the sandwich, feeling exhausted.

I took a bite of the sandwich just as my stomach let out a loud growl.

"Perfect timing," he commented as he spooned marshmallows into cups, then covered the hot chocolates with lids.He handed them to the woman, then asked to help the next person.

There was something sexy about a man who was willing to step in and help.Maybe he was used to doing that at the inn or the restaurant.But this was a drink truck.It wasn't even in the same category as a Hart business.

I finished my food then moved to help Rowan.When Jovie arrived for her shift, I stepped outside to thank Rowan."I can't believe you jumped in to help like that."

He shrugged."I wanted to make sure you ate.And there was no way you were going to get a break without help."

"Jovie works a lot this time of the year.She tries to come in every night."

"That's good."

My heart was beating hard because I wanted to show him how I felt.The emotion was threatening to overwhelm me.So I put my arms around his waist and rested my cheek on his chest.

His arms came around me.

Then I looked up at him."I really appreciate you helping out and bringing me food.I didn't pack anything, and I obviously wasn't going to get a break tonight."

He brushed his lips across mine."I'm happy to help."

"You didn't need to work at the brewery?"I asked him.

"We worked all day.I needed a break."

"And you thought hanging out at my hot-chocolate truck during the week of Christmas was a break?"I asked teasingly.

He dropped his head slightly, and despite the number of people milling about, I felt like we were alone."As long as you're there, it is."

My heart stuttered at his sweet words.But before I could say anything, he was kissing me, and I forgot everything.A few seconds later, Jovie opened the door to the truck."Are you going to stop kissing your man and get in here?"

"Coming," I said with a laugh.

"You'd better go," he said softly.

"See you tonight?"I asked, knowing we always ended up falling into bed together.We couldn't seem to get enough of each other.

"I'll be waiting."Then he mouthed, "Naked in bed."

I laughed as I walked inside the truck and closed the door.There was a smile on my face as I moved around the tiny space, pouring drinks and adding toppings like marshmallows, chocolate, and candy-cane shavings.

When the crowd finally started to dwindle, Jovie turned to face me."You've been smiling ever since Rowan left, and I swear you were humming holiday songs."

I sighed."I'm really happy."

Her eyes widened."Wow.I never expected you to say that.You've been so—I don't know how to put this—flat ever since your father died."