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“This restaurant is adorable.” I glanced around the quaint Italian bistro that smelled even better than it looked. The aroma of fresh garlic escaped the kitchen, making my mouth water for our dinner. “The city has the most amazing Italian food.”

“This winter I’ll be meeting with some of my favorite chefs to see how we can get some of them to bring my vision of their wonderful creations to the setting of my cozy, little community.”

“I’m ready to hear more about your project,” I said. “We don’t talk about it enough.”

“There’s a good reason for that.”

“You’ve been giving me my space to figure out what I need to do.” I traced my finger around the rim of my martini glass. “I appreciate that, but what you’re working on is a huge accomplishment and I want you to be able to share the successes with me.”

“I’ve been a little distracted today.” He reached across the table and took my hand. “I apologize for all the calls I had to take and the time I spent on my computer.”

“You don’t have to apologize for working. You’ve given me plenty of attention these past few days. I had a wonderful time. This has been the best holiday season I’ve had in years.”

“For me too.” He grazed my knuckles along his mouth. “I didn’t even want to go to my sister’s reception that night. I told her I would write a check but she wouldn’t hear it.”

“I have to thank Ellie.”

“I already have,” he said. “Several times. She can’t wait to meet you.”

“I’ll admit, I’ve been a little anxious about spending Christmas with your family, but I’m excited too.”

“They’re going to love you.” He squeezed my hand. “How couldn’t they?”

“You’re sweet.” I shifted in my chair, trying to settle the swarm of butterflies that had become more prominent over the last few days. Every time Huxley gazed into my eyes, I fell a little harder for him.

“There is something I’d like to share with you,” he said. “I secured an investor who can bring my project to the next level. High-end restaurants and cozy shops. The vision becomes clearer every day.”

“I’m excited for you.”

“Having you with me at this time in my life makes it even more special.”

When he said stuff like that, I wanted to leap into his lap and kiss him. Moments like this made me feel as if we were invincible. As if we could overcome anything that stood in our way.

“I have to be honest with you.”

“About what?” I asked.

“I can’t move forward without the rights to the lake, and the only legal way for me to expand is to gain that access.”

Crap! I didn’t mean I wanted anything to actually stand in our way.

“How do you go about that?”

“I have to own the lake access.” He pulled an envelope from his pocket. An official envelope that gave me a not-so-sexy vibe. “Believe me, I didn’t want to have to discuss this now, but I don’t want anything to ruin our holidays together. I want to be open and honest.”

“Okay.” Why did that statement make me feel like complete shit? Oh, maybe because you never told him that you have another offer on the table to sell your house. “What’s in the envelope?”

“You can read it over, but it’s a contract I drew up.”

“Does it have a lot of legal words in it?” I took the envelope from him and pulled the official documents out. “Why is it so thick?”

“Contracts can get wordy.”

“They can also complicate people’s relationships.” This was exactly what I didn’t want to happen between us. “Especially when one of those people happens to be a lawyer and the other one isn’t.”

“You can have an attorney look at it for you.” He motioned toward the contract. “I would prefer you did. I can assure you it’s fair to both of us. I wouldn’t try to deceive you.”

“I know.” I fidgeted with my hands, feeling like a massive jerk for not telling him about Travis’ offer. “Can you explain what it is these papers say? What I would have to do?”