outfit or in that outfit.
Sara gently picked up the orange blossom that she’d placed on top of the dresser when she got back from the grove. Sadly, it was already starting to curl up at the edges and show signs of wilting. She wanted it to last longer. She wanted it to last forever.
Holding the blossom, she sighed and plopped onto Kelly’s bed. She placed the flower behind her ear, closed her eyes, and tried to relive that sweet first kiss. Philip had been so gentle, but he wasn’t tentative—not at all. He knew what he wanted and he knew what he was doing. The kiss was soft, but it was potent, and it held the promise of more to come. Much more, she hoped.
If anyone had told her last week that she’d be spending Christmas with Philip and his family, she would have laughed in their face. And if anyone had said he would kiss her in the middle of an orange grove, she’d have called them crazy.
Even with all those furtive touches in the car, questions about being in love, flirtatious gestures and innuendos, the kiss still came as a surprise. It felt like a turning point, and it proved what she only hoped before now. Philip really liked her! Not only did he show her, but he told her so in no uncertain terms. He said he liked her. No. He said he liked her a lot .
Sara smiled and hugged herself, delighted with their change in status. Things like this didn’t happen to Sara Ross. Well, they never used to.
She thought about the day they met, and the circumstances. At the time, she didn't recognize the importance of the event. How could she? She had decided she hated him before she ever set foot in his dorm. Now she was falling in love with him for real. It wasn’t just admiring someone from afar. It was really happening for the first time in her life. Sara used to believe love was overrated, but that was only because she didn’t know better. She’d never experienced the feeling before. It was magical. It was life-altering. It was terrifying and thrilling and all-consuming.
She slowly got up off the bed and walked back to the mirror. “Yes,” she said out loud, putting her hands on her hips and admiring the way she looked in one of Kelly’s blouses. “You look good, Sara. Falling in love looks good on you.”
Chapter Fourteen
People were popping in all throughout Christmas Eve day, to visit or just say hi to Philip, or to drop off Christmas gifts for the family or presents for the Mason’s soon-to-be-born grandchildren. In between, Philip and his father were watching ESPN in the family room while Sara helped his mother prepare Christmas Eve dinner. She really enjoyed spending time with Philip’s family. There was no awkwardness or tension like she often felt when she was with her own family.
After a while, Diane suggested Sara go check on the men and see if they needed anything. Sara wasn’t exactly sure what Diane meant. If the guys needed anything, she presumed they’d get it themselves. She decided that Diane intuitively knew Sara was feeling a little lonely for Philip, and she was giving Sara permission to spend some time with him.
As Sara approached the family room, she could hear what sounded like a private conversation between father and son.
“Why are you being so negative, Dad? I told you, the doctor said I can start working out with the team next week.”
“I’m not trying to rain on your parade, son. I just don’t want you to be disappointed, just in case. You know I’ll do everything I can to keep the professional teams interested in you, but we need to be practical kiddo. Like I always say, everything happens for a reason, and maybe you were meant to do something else with your life. You’re a smart, charismatic young man, and if it turns out that football isn’t an option, there are other sports you can consider, like baseball, other career paths you can take. Just keep that in the back of your mind. That’s all I’m saying.”
When Sara didn’t hear any more talking, she entered
Sara gently picked up the orange blossom that she’d placed on top of the dresser when she got back from the grove. Sadly, it was already starting to curl up at the edges and show signs of wilting. She wanted it to last longer. She wanted it to last forever.
Holding the blossom, she sighed and plopped onto Kelly’s bed. She placed the flower behind her ear, closed her eyes, and tried to relive that sweet first kiss. Philip had been so gentle, but he wasn’t tentative—not at all. He knew what he wanted and he knew what he was doing. The kiss was soft, but it was potent, and it held the promise of more to come. Much more, she hoped.
If anyone had told her last week that she’d be spending Christmas with Philip and his family, she would have laughed in their face. And if anyone had said he would kiss her in the middle of an orange grove, she’d have called them crazy.
Even with all those furtive touches in the car, questions about being in love, flirtatious gestures and innuendos, the kiss still came as a surprise. It felt like a turning point, and it proved what she only hoped before now. Philip really liked her! Not only did he show her, but he told her so in no uncertain terms. He said he liked her. No. He said he liked her a lot .
Sara smiled and hugged herself, delighted with their change in status. Things like this didn’t happen to Sara Ross. Well, they never used to.
She thought about the day they met, and the circumstances. At the time, she didn't recognize the importance of the event. How could she? She had decided she hated him before she ever set foot in his dorm. Now she was falling in love with him for real. It wasn’t just admiring someone from afar. It was really happening for the first time in her life. Sara used to believe love was overrated, but that was only because she didn’t know better. She’d never experienced the feeling before. It was magical. It was life-altering. It was terrifying and thrilling and all-consuming.
She slowly got up off the bed and walked back to the mirror. “Yes,” she said out loud, putting her hands on her hips and admiring the way she looked in one of Kelly’s blouses. “You look good, Sara. Falling in love looks good on you.”
Chapter Fourteen
People were popping in all throughout Christmas Eve day, to visit or just say hi to Philip, or to drop off Christmas gifts for the family or presents for the Mason’s soon-to-be-born grandchildren. In between, Philip and his father were watching ESPN in the family room while Sara helped his mother prepare Christmas Eve dinner. She really enjoyed spending time with Philip’s family. There was no awkwardness or tension like she often felt when she was with her own family.
After a while, Diane suggested Sara go check on the men and see if they needed anything. Sara wasn’t exactly sure what Diane meant. If the guys needed anything, she presumed they’d get it themselves. She decided that Diane intuitively knew Sara was feeling a little lonely for Philip, and she was giving Sara permission to spend some time with him.
As Sara approached the family room, she could hear what sounded like a private conversation between father and son.
“Why are you being so negative, Dad? I told you, the doctor said I can start working out with the team next week.”
“I’m not trying to rain on your parade, son. I just don’t want you to be disappointed, just in case. You know I’ll do everything I can to keep the professional teams interested in you, but we need to be practical kiddo. Like I always say, everything happens for a reason, and maybe you were meant to do something else with your life. You’re a smart, charismatic young man, and if it turns out that football isn’t an option, there are other sports you can consider, like baseball, other career paths you can take. Just keep that in the back of your mind. That’s all I’m saying.”
When Sara didn’t hear any more talking, she entered
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