The Perfect Match: A New Adult Erotic Romance (Inseparable Book 2) (18 page)

When she wasn’t at work, they spent time hanging out together at Jack and Julie’s, or going shopping in the crowded malls. He was content to simply be with her, providing funny commentary or surprise kisses, but never making her feel uncomfortable or suffocated.

On Christmas Eve, as they stood watching the ice skaters circling the huge Christmas tree in the Memorial City mall ice rink, Polly was surprised when she realized they had spent every day and night together for the last five days. Things had been great between them, and the more she learned of his life and interests, the more she liked him. And as she felt herself opening up to him, her fears grew as well.

“Am I driving you crazy yet?” she asked without looking up at his face. His reflection was visible in the glass wall around the ice rink, so she knew he was smiling.

He moved around behind her and pulled her back against his chest. “Maybe I was crazy before. Maybe I’m finally sane now.”

“I keep waiting for you to go crazy or tell me you weren’t serious.” The truth was there in her light-hearted comment.

He put his chin on the top of her head. “You really worried about that?” he asked.

She tried to laugh it off, but it came out forced to her own ears. “Maybe a little,” she said just loud enough for him to hear.

His arms squeezed her tight as he bent to kiss her cheek. “And I keep waitin’ for you to come to your senses. What are you doing with a man like me?”

“So what do we do?”

“I’d say a cup of hot chocolate should set things to rights.”

“Good idea,” Polly said as she took his hand, allowing him to lead them to the coffee shop nearby. It was crowded, but they held hands as they waited. After getting their paper cups full of chocolatey heaven, they found a small table just outside the door to sit and drink.

“See?” Kurt said with a grin. “Fixed me right up. How about you?”

“Better,” she agreed as she breathed deeply from the steaming cup.

“Look, I don’t know what to say to make you stop worryin’. Hell, if I knew I’d tell myself,” he said as he blew over the hot cup. “But I
can
say I know you better than I did last week and I like you even more now.” His affection shone through his face when he smiled at her.

She nodded and tried to sip her cup, but it was still too hot. “I can’t keep things going slow, Kurt. It’s like my heart rushes ahead of me. I get scared when I think about things. I don’t know what to do.”

“Yeah, it’s happenin’ to me, too,” he said with a sigh. “I don’t wanna jinx it either, but I’m slidin’ down a mud slick straight into the river.”

She grinned at his funny illustration. “That kinda sounds like fun.”

“It is unless you try to stop,” he said before taking a small sip. “When did you say your parents get back in the States?”

His question made her stomach flutter. “March. Why?”

“No reason,” he said without looking at her.

“Oh,” she said as her heart beat quickened. “I guess we should think about me meeting your parents at some point, too.”

Kurt grinned and nodded. “Sorry, the question popped out before I could filter myself. I’ll slow down, I promise.”

“Do you want kids?” she asked since he’d opened the door with his question. His head snapped up with wide eyes.

“Uh... definitely someday. You?” he asked looking a little pale.

“Yeah,” she was feeling too hot to be pale at the moment. “What about family life?”

“I thought we were gonna take it slow,” he muttered, nearly spilling his hot chocolate when he laughed.

“You started it,” she accused. “You’ll like my Dad. He’s got a dry sense of humor, but when he drinks he tells these wild stories about growing up in Africa.”

“He sounds nice,” Kurt said as some of his color returned. “What did you mean about family life?”

“Like the way Julie works, but is still a mom because Jack helps her at home. Did you see him folding the girls’ tiny panties and undershirts last night? Oh my God, it was so cute I thought I was gonna die.”

Kurt chuckled and nodded. “I saw. He’s a great Dad. He works hard, but he keeps a good balance at home too. I wished my Dad had been that way, but he had to work all the time to pay the bills. I’ve always wanted to be more like Pawpaw Garson or Uncle Jack if I could.”

“That’s all I meant,” she said. After taking a sip of her drink to dream a little, she forced her thoughts back to the present. “What about church?”

“I’m Catholic, but I don’t go as much as I did growing up.”

“Dad’s an Anglican and Mom’s Baptist. I don’t go much anymore, but I like Father Williams at Jack and Julie’s church. I go with them sometimes.”

“Well, they’re going tomorrow for service if you want to go. I love going on Christmas Day.”

She smiled and reached over to take his hand. “I’d like that.”

“See? Everyday we learn a little more,” he said as he squeezed her hand.

She smiled to herself as she looked at his strong fingers.
And everyday I fall a little more. Please be real.
She closed her eyes and said a little prayer to still her fear.

* * *

T
he church was completely full, but they’d arrived early enough to all sit together on one pew. Sophie brought the girls in wearing matching green and red velvet dresses. After getting hugs and catching up on their Christmas morning at Sophie’s apartment, the girls sat down between their mother and father who actually managed to share a polite greeting.

Julie sat next to Jack and had Jackson looking adorable in a little Christmas sweater. Polly couldn’t resist taking him when he extended his pudgy arms out to her. While she was getting him settled in her lap, Kurt came in from parking the car.

Grinning as he took his place next to Polly, he said to the girls, “Merry Christmas, Jen! Merry Christmas, Lisa!”

“Hi, Uncle Kurt!” they both exclaimed, then Jen gave him a funny look as he put his arm around Polly. “Where’s Uncle Trey?”

Kurt fumbled for a moment as he gave Polly a panicked look. Polly leaned over, holding the baby’s head, and whispered, “I’m not sure where he is.”

“But I thought you liked each other?” she asked with a puzzled expression on her face.

“There was another girl he liked more,” Polly said simply, glancing at Julie to see if she wanted to jump in. Julie was pinching her lips together to keep from laughing.

“So do you like Uncle Kurt now?” she asked.

“I’ve
always
liked Uncle Kurt,” Polly said with a smile.

Jen giggled behind her hands, then leaned over to whisper to Lisa. “Yay! I knew he wouldn’t be sad any more if she kissed him!”

That made Julie and Jack sputter into their hands to hide their laughter. Polly rolled her eyes and sat back before she lost it while Kurt buried his face in her neck to chuckle silently.

“I’m not sad anymore,” he whispered when he got himself under control.

“I’m glad,” Polly said, as she bounced Jackson in her lap.

The service was lovely, echoing with the triumphal hymns of Christmas the congregation sang together. Polly avoided kneeling and standing by hanging on to Jackson, but found Kurt’s sincere observances touching. During the homily, Jackson fell asleep on her shoulder so Kurt pulled her close so she could lean against him. The feeling of that moment overwhelmed her, making her dab the corners of her eyes. Julie quietly passed her a tissue with a knowing nod and a smile of sympathy.

Julie knew, she realized, obviously before she had really known herself. Being alone for so long, Julie had been shocked when she’d fallen for Jack. Polly had watched her struggle with her feelings, even to the point of sabotaging her budding relationship to avoid being hurt.
No wonder she smiled that way at me
, Polly thought. She was falling hard and fast and her friend could tell.

When Jackson woke up hungry toward the end of the service, Polly gave him back to his mother. Polly stood with Kurt then, her hand in his, singing
Joy to the World
along with the congregation. The trumpets and trombones rang through the large cathedral making the sound of the music almost tangible. She had to close her eyes again, gripping Kurt’s hand tighter.

Even in the midst of the powerful, hopeful song, she still felt fear. Though not given to premonitions or irrational beliefs, she could still feel something dark lingering her around her heart. Not wanting to spoil the day, she wiped her eyes before looking up again, then she steeled herself to face whatever came. She had to find a way to trust Kurt, and even herself, before the worry wore her down.

When the service was over, they filed out of the room with the crowd. Julie and the baby were cooed over by a crowd of elderly women who clearly knew and liked her. Jack kept his eye on the girls while they played with other kids in the aisle, while Sophie’s sad eyes lingered on the girls and Jack both.

Polly was known to a few curious people who asked about the handsome man she was walking with. “This is my friend, Kurt. He’s also Jack’s nephew,” she said to each one.

She caught a secretive smile on Kurt’s face each time she did this, but he gamely shook hands and made polite small talk with each person they met.

As the line moved past the main door, Father Williams stood there shaking each parishioners’ hand and greeting those he knew by name. When their turn came, Father Williams extended his hand to Kurt after winking at Polly.

“Merry Christmas,” Kurt said. “Good to meet you, Father Williams. I’m Kurt Guidry, Polly’s boyfriend and Jack’s nephew.” His words brought a bubbling giggle to Polly’s lips.

“Kurt!” she said as she smacked him on the arm, but he only laughed.
So much for taking it slow!

Father William’s eyes lit up as he smiled, glancing between Polly and Kurt. “Oh, that’s a Christmas present to be thankful for. I’m so glad you chose to spend this special day with us in worship.”

“If you run into Father Pierre from over at St. Matthews in Morgan City, tell him I made it to service, would ya?” Kurt asked with a grin.

Father Williams was still laughing as they moved past to let Julie and Jack have their moment with him.

“What’s gotten into you?” she said when they got away from the crowd.

“Too much communion wine,” he said, then brought her hand up to his lips for a kiss. “I swear this day couldn’t get any better.”

“How can you even say that?” she said in mock outrage. “Hello? Presents?”

“I got mine already,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

“Well, I saw mine under the tree,” she said.

“Oh, yeah, I forgot about that one,” he said, but she knew he hadn’t. He’d snuck off while they were at the mall, claiming to need to use the restroom. When he’d come back with a flat box wrapped in bright green paper, no amount of pestering would make him reveal what was in it to her.

“I bet there’s one under there for you, too,” she teased.

“I thought we said no gifts?” he asked with exaggerated innocence.

“Well, then you should have told me what was in the box at the mall.”

They swung their hands the rest of the way to his car, grinning at each other like a couple of idiots.

* * *

T
he girls ran through the front door straight to the Christmas tree while the adults came in at a more leisurely pace. Jack and Julie headed to their bedroom to change clothes, after telling the girls to leave all the presents alone.

Charlotte came out of Jen’s bedroom wearing red sweats with her hair pulled back in pony tail. “How was church?” she asked with a yawn. The girls each tackled one leg until she sat on the ground to hug and tickle them. “You both look beautiful!”

Kurt dropped on the couch and said, “It was great. Why didn’t you come?”

“I felt yucky this morning. Just girl stuff, nothing to worry about.”

Polly sat down next to Kurt and let him pull her against his chest. She said, “The music was amazing. They had a brass section playing with the organ during the hymns.”

Looking over at them reclining together, Charlotte sighed. Jen noticed her gaze and whispered loudly, “Uncle Trey decided he liked another girl, so now they’re gonna kiss and stuff.”

Charlotte chuckled at her little cousin. “Really? Well I’m kinda glad things worked out that way.”

“Why?” Lisa asked as she climbed into Charlotte’s lap.

Charlotte looked over at Polly and Kurt, then bent to whisper in Lisa’s ear. The little girl covered her mouth to stifle the giggles coming out.

“Tell me too!” Jen complained, so Charlotte whispered in her ear as well.

Now all three girls were laughing together, taking quick glances at Kurt and Polly on the couch. Kurt raised an eyebrow and suggested, “Why don’t you make yourselves useful and sort all the presents for us?”

Charlotte ordered the girls to pull presents out and started making piles based on the name on the label. The biggest piles were for the girls and Jackson, but Polly smiled down at two boxes with her name. The one she’d gotten for Kurt sat by itself, so she was glad she’d gotten him something in return.

Jack and Julie came back wearing comfortable clothes with Jackson jumping and throwing his fists in the air from Jack’s arms. “Are you ready to open some presents?” he asked the excited kids.

“Yay!” The girls cried and started ripping fistfuls of wrapping paper off their boxes and throwing them aside.

Julie sat next to Polly, grinning at their cozy position on the other end of the couch. “So what did you say to Father Williams that had him laughing so hard?” Polly felt a flush creeping up and shook her head.

Kurt put his face next to hers and said, “I just asked him to clue in Father Pierre that I’d been to church this mornin’.”

“Somehow I don’t think that's the whole story,” Julie said. “I thought I heard something about a boyfriend in all the chatter.”

“Hell, Aunt Julie, if you already knew the answer then why you askin’?” he said as he leaned back with a smile on his face.

“So it’s official? You’re dating? I can tell people and everything?”

Charlotte looked around and said, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, I never gave
anyone
permission to date my brother.”