“Dad!” She shouts as she walks into the dark house. I’m hit by the cold first and wonder why it’s so chilly inside as I follow her in. She walks over and touches the thermostat before walking back toward a bedroom.

She pushes in through the door and I follow a bit behind, wanting to be respectful of his home and space, but also worried.

I hear her talking in his room, then I see them both emerge from his room. Her father walks over and pulls me in for a hug. “Thank you,” he says, and I pat his shoulder, feeling like an ass that this has to happen. I mean, he shouldn’t have been fired in the first place.

“I’m sorry for how you were treated,” I say, with all the honesty in my soul.

He pulls back and looks me dead in the eyes. “Don’t apologize for the sins of others.”

It’s not that simple. “I should have known. I should have been more careful. You suffered because I wasn’t vigilant.”

But he’s quick to shake his head. “And there will be no suffering. You’ve righted the wrong, so breathe easy.”

I nod, feeling a tightness in my chest as I catch Cindy’s eyes over her father’s shoulder. Her father pulls back and I see a twinkle in his eyes as he lowers his voice. “Get her home safe, okay?” he says and I nod.

“I will,” I promise understanding he’s giving me his blessing. I appreciate his trust. “I’ll have details for you in a few days, okay?” I tell him and he nods. “In the meantime,” I say, taking a check from my pocket, “This is your first paycheck. It includes all the back pay you’ve lost and the first check for being the new head chef.”

He takes it and I see his eyes scan it as his hand begins to shake. His gaze meets mine and I nod, wanting him to know it’s not a mistake. “It pays a bit more than your old job,” I say as if in apology. But he pulls me into another hug and thumps me on the shoulder.

“Thank you,” he says, pulling away and giving Cindy a hug. “I love you,” I hear him whisper. She whispers it back as I turn to leave, feeling like my work here is done.

“Wait!”

I stop in my tracks on the front stoop and turn to face Cindy.

She seems suddenly shy. “Are you leaving?” she asks and I nod.

She says nothing and I realize she’s wanting me to invite her home, but isn’t willing to invite herself over. I offer her my hand and she’s quick to take it. Hand in hand, we walk toward the car in silence.

Overhead, the stars twinkle and shine.

“I don’t know how I’m going to sleep tonight,” Cindy says as we stretch out in the bed. We’d come right in from the car into the bedroom and curled up in each other’s arms.

“Would a hot bath help?” I ask and her eyes light up. Together we get up and walk toward the master bath. I run hot water in the tub and she gets undressed. Sitting on the tile seat around the outside edge of the tub, I roll up my pants and dangle my legs in.

She walks over, totally naked, and I drink her in like a dying man in the desert. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” I say, loving the way her hip bones jut on either side of her flat belly. Her arms cross protectively over her navel and I try to figure her out.

“I’m too skinny,” she says, her cheeks turning a pretty shade of red.

I reach a hand out to her and she walks in and laces her fingers with mine before stepping into the tub and relaxing back between my legs. “I think you’re perfect. If you want to gain weight, that’s fine with me. Because I don’t just love your body. I love you,” I say, realizing too late what I’ve said.

She looks up at me, her face surprised and filled with warmth.

I make myself busy and pour some lilac scented gel on a pouf and begin to scrub her down with gentle circular strokes. Silence settles between us and I’m glad. I’m not sure I can face what I just told her.

Not because it’s not true, but because I’m not sure she was ready to hear it or that I was ready to say it.

“I love you too,” she says, her words gentle and warm in the space. With her head titled back, she reaches up and grabs the back of my neck before gently urging me down to kiss her lips.

“Make love to me,” She whispers and I run the hand that’s resting on her shoulder down her chest, over her belly, right to the delicate juncture between her thighs. There’s nothing I’d like more, but I’m going to take my time.

I’m going to make her come right here in the tub again and again, then I’m going to use my tongue on her and savor the sweet nectar of her pussy before I finally give in and give her what she’s asking me for.

“Tell me you love me again,” she whispers in my ear and I plant a tiny kiss on her neck as the stinging hot water rises up to her pert little breasts.

“I love you, Cindy Handberg,” I say so there can be no doubt in her mind that I mean her and only her. Her lips meet mine and she moans as my fingers tease her clit. I can’t imagine a place I’d rather be and certainly not a person I’d rather be with right now.

As the night ticks away and the morning sneaks up on us, I whisper words of love and touch her. “Merry Christmas Eve,” I tell her and lift my chin. Her gaze follows mine to the window and I hear her gasp of pleasure. Outside, the little white flakes of snow are drifting toward the earth once more, enveloping us in a promise of a white Christmas.