It’d been a long time since Cam had asked a girl to watch a movie with him. He hadn’t dated since Kat. Hadn’t even thought about it. Even though he still wasn’t comfortable with the idea of dating, he realized he was excited to hang out with Isabel. No expectations and no commitment, just two people helping each other heal.

Both of them changed, and then he made some popcorn in the little microwave.

“Oh, they have it! I’ve been wanting to watch this movie—The Christmas Girlfriend. Dang, I just love the Snow Valley stories.”

Cam shrugged, having no idea what she was talking about, but he was happy she was happy.

They settled onto the couch, but found out quickly there wasn’t really a good way for her to prop her ankle, so they ended up on his bed, with pillows under her foot, behind them, and around them. Cam felt the energy between them. The attraction. Truth be told, he’d been fighting that attraction on a deeper level ever since he’d watched her deliver that baby last night.

Which was crazy—delivering a baby wasn’t exactly the most romantic thing, but somehow, it had felt like a perfect pass.

“Spill it, Cruz,” she said, stuffing popcorn into her mouth.

Smiling, he loved the way this woman treated him like a normal person. The way his wife used to treat him. The way his sister treated him. Like a man. Like a friend. Like … he hesitated.

She picked up the remote and paused the movie. “I can hear you thinking over there.”

He let out a light laugh. “Fine, I was just thinking that you delivering that baby last night was almost like watching Will Kent throw the perfect pass into the end zone in Storm Stadium.”

A slow smiled washed over her face. “Really?”

He loved how she loved her profession but wasn’t cocky. In fact, she was right. She treated the whole experience like a gift from God, like a calling.

Gently, he put his hand over hers. “You are born to deliver babies. I think it would be awesome for you to finish school and become that doctor you talk about. The one who combines Eastern and Western medicine.”

Tears misted into her eyes. “Really?”

He squeezed her hand. “And I think your son would want that for you.”

She swallowed. He could tell she was struggling to keep control.

He squeezed her hand even more, and before he knew it, she was leaning into him, staring at his lips.

His heart raced. “I want to move into this next step with you, I do, but…”

She leaned back.

His heart raced and he stared into her deep green eyes. Confusion filled him.

“It’s fine,” she said in a disappointed tone.

His heart ached and the thought occurred to him that he wanted to move past friend zone with this woman. “Wait.” He reached out and gently cupped the back of her head, pulling her into him.

Their lips met. Fire exploded through him as she linked her arms around his neck and was soon flush against him.

He didn’t know how long he kissed her, but he found himself pulling back again, more guilt filling him. “I’m sorry, I want to do this.”

She put her hand on his shoulder. “Cam, I think we need to wait.”

Instantly, he met her eyes. “You do?”

Scooting to the edge of the bed, she stood, careful not to put all her weight onto her hurt ankle. “I do.”

He stood, feeling a bit out of sorts. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

She put up her hand, and a kind smile spread across her face. “I know, Cam.” She let out a little laugh. “Truthfully, I’ve found so much healing with you on this trip, and I want you to know how grateful I am for that.” Her voice broke.

He was by her side, taking her hand. “Me too.”

Tears misted in her eyes, but she sucked in a long breath. “I think your journey still has more to it. And I don’t know where that leaves us, but …” She shook her head. “We only have one more day tomorrow, right? Then we go home and back to …”

“Real life,” he said, not liking the sound of it, not wanting to go back to reporters and his idiot players and the P.I.s. The thought made his heart race again. How many days had he not checked the emails? Two? Suddenly, that junkie feeling hit him, the one that made him want to go check immediately.

She shrugged and pulled her hand away. “This has been such an amazing Christmas. Thank you.” Reaching up, she gently kissed his cheek.

Before he could pull her back to him, she was gone. “Night, Cam.”

“Wait. I’ll see you in the morning for the last excursion, right? I mean, if you still want to do it?”

She nodded. “I’d like that. I’ll be ready at seven.”

“Great.” He watched her walk out of the room and knew she was right. Even though he’d changed, he still was in no place for anything like a relationship.

He waited for a couple of minutes then put on his shoes and rushed to the internet café.

Slipping into the seat, he brought up his email account and was shocked to discover the subject line from his gritty P.I.

Found him.