“Goofy Holly on a good day is extremely dangerous. Oblivious Holly is lethal. Protect yourself. Get out of her way.” ~ Michael Barnes

I blink several times, trying to focus on what’s happening around me. The topsy-turvy, tiny pixie body in front of me is about the only thing that is the same with Holly. She’s no longer the gangly little munchkin with braces that tagged along with Kyle and me everywhere we went back in high school. She’s grown into a stunning albeit still clumsy woman, whom I find myself leaning in toward, intrigued by the woman she’s become.

The hint of peppermint floats easily into the air, surrounding us, and I find it difficult not to stare into her twinkling golden eyes. That is until she moves and her elbow almost connects with a vital part of my anatomy.

I react quickly, grabbing her to put some distance between us, but she has a mind of her own, knocking me square in the gut with her bony elbow. Hopefully, I’ll survive this encounter without any bruises or battle scars.

“Same ole Holly,” I get out between clenched teeth.

“Huh? What do you mean?” she asks, surely feigning innocence. She couldn’t possibly miss that she’s a walking, talking time bomb.

“It seems you can’t catch a break. The cloud of doom still follows you everywhere you go. If I recall correctly, it takes real skill to choke on air when you’re not eating anything, stumble going up a flight of stairs, or fall over absolutely nothing in your way. All, by the way, you have done right before my eyes.”

“Well, I never,” she huffs and puffs, offended. She can’t be real.

I continue, relentless in making my point. “C’mon. Admit it, Holly. You’re still a mega klutz.”

“What? Me?” Her voice comes out in a half-strangled, husky sound as she innocently stares back at me, pointing a finger between the valley of her chest.

The corners of my lip crack upwards at the adorable face she makes. “Yes, you, little one.”

“Whatever. You always were to uptight for your own good. For old times sake, I’ll leave it and let bygones be bygones. I didn’t fall, you know.” Her palms land on her slender waist as her frustration builds.

“Sure you didn’t. What would you call it, then?” I ask, pointing to the cleanup going on only a few feet away. The department store clerk oversees a janitor, ensuring the disposal of the mess she made.

“I call it an accident or a slight mishap, perhaps? I was trying to reach for that lovely snow globe on the higher shelf and lost my balance. You broke my fall.” She daintily shrugs her slender shoulder.

“I’m so happy I could be of service, little lady,” I say with a heavy hint of sarcasm. There’s just something about this pint-sized woman that has my insides turned inside out. Conceivably, it’s the familiarity of someone from my past, and the desire to form a connection. The need to be accepted instead of rejected swirls inside. Ella discarded me like day-old milk.

I glance toward the intricately designed winter wonderland display; the top shelf remains intact. She didn’t bring it down with her clumsiness. Thank Christ. Which one of the captivating winter globes was she interested in? There is an array of possibilities. The stocking-laced toasty fireplace, or maybe it was the nativity scene. I watch her bite down, tugging nervously on her upper lip, her mind somewhere other than here at the moment, deep in thought. Without thinking, I reach for her chin, and she releases the intense vise that caused a slightly puckered lip. Instant desire flares, and I have an overwhelming need to taste her. To kiss those pouty lips.

She’s caught in the intensity of the moment. I watch as her pupils dilate when she realizes my intentions. She’s as affected as I am. I lower my lips, staring intently to make sure she wants this as much as I do. Nobody else exists but the two of us and the surmounting need to scratch an undeniable itch.

“Excuse me, sir, but I need you to come with me. My manager wants an accident report filed, and I have a few questions.”

The moment we shared ends, and I’m furious at myself for getting caught up. I don’t know what came over me. Holly quickly steps back and stumbles. I catch her elbows to steady the adorable, clumsy woman.

“I’ll have your jacket mended,” she adds, looking at the tear. Her damn teeth fidget with her lips.

“I’m sure I can afford to have it repaired.”

“I caused it. Therefore, I’m responsible. Pretty simple. Stop giving me a hard time and let me have it. Please.”

I shrug out of the suit jacket and hand it over to the stubborn little female. Fuck, what else can I do?

“Here’s my business card. Give me a call when you are done with it, and maybe we can meet up for coffee or somewhere non-lethal,” I playfully joke.

“Okay, Michael. It was good to see you again. I’ll be seeing you soon.” She lifts my jacket and waves.

“Likewise, Holly. Take care.”

“Merry Christmas.”

“Yeah, sure. Happy Holidays.”

I’m caught up watching her walk away, hips swaying with each step she takes, distancing her from me. There’s just something about Holly that has me wanting to spend more time with her. She turns and sees me staring and waves, bumping into a poor unknowing bystander along the way. A genuine laugh escapes me. It feels good, almost natural. I feel lighter. Even with the whirlwind, chaotic mess, she brought laughter into my drab world.

The store clerk motions me forward, and I follow with a bounce in my step, wondering when I’ll see Holly the mega klutz again.