Kissing Santa, A Clover Park Novella (Clover Park, Book 4) Contemporary Romance (The Clover Park Series) by Kylie Gilmore Page A

presents for his mother and sisters. He bought his mother a scarf, and she did the same. He had good taste.
    He stopped at the front glass counter where handmade jewelry was laid out on display. “What do you like?” he asked.
    Her hand went to her throat. “You don’t have to buy me a Christmas present. We just met three weeks ago.”
    “I want to.” He gestured to the display.
    “But I didn’t get you anything,” she protested.
    He gazed into her eyes. “Being with you is my gift.”
    “Oh!” She swallowed hard, her throat tight with emotion. “That’s just so…”
    She couldn’t find the words. She felt like she was living out her very own romance just like she’d always dreamed of.
    “I know.” One corner of his mouth kicked up. “Now pick something, or I’ll just buy you this beautiful cricket pin.”
    She looked in the case. The cricket pin looked like a real cricket, the body covered in rhinestones. Ewww . “Okay, okay.” She laughed. “I like those earrings.” She pointed to a pair of earrings that looked like red water drops wrapped in a swirl of silver.
    “You got it.”
    He bought the earrings and handed them to her. She put them on right away and admired them in the small mirror on the display case. “What do you think?”
    “Beautiful,” he said, only he wasn’t looking at the earrings. He was looking at her in the mirror. She turned, and he gave her a quick kiss. “Come on.”
    He took her hand in his warm, calloused one, and they continued shopping. She noticed he took care in picking out the perfect gifts for his sisters, Elena and Maria. His love for his family shined through, and Samantha found she’d misjudged him. He was every bit as fabulous as her mother had told her. She learned about his family and how this year he’d be spending Christmas in Connecticut with his second family, the O’Hares. Selfishly, she was glad. She wanted to see more of him. She wanted time to pick out a gift for him too.
    Bags in hand, they left the mall, and Rico drove to Clover Park for hot chocolate at Something’s Brewing Café. They stepped inside the warm and cozy café painted a deep red. Large framed book covers decorated the walls. There was also a cozy reading area, lots of tables, and a cute kid corner in the back.
    “Hey, Rico, Samantha,” Shane called. He was working behind the counter with a couple of other employees.
    “Hi!” Samantha called.
    “Hey,” Rico said. “Grab a seat,” he told her. “I’ll get the drinks.”
    She snagged a table for two in the back. The place was packed.
    A short while later, Rico set a thick white mug filled with hot chocolate in front of her. A large square marshmallow floated on the cocoa topped with a whipped cream swirl and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
    “It’s almost too pretty to drink,” she said.
    “Drink up. It’s good.”
    She sipped. Omigod. The whipped cream was light and sweet, the chocolate so rich and creamy. She’d never tasted anything so good.
    “This is fantastic!” she exclaimed.
    He grinned. “I told you. Shane just told me he’s gonna be a dad. I knew it.”
    “Aw. That’s great. I’m happy for them.” She scooped out the marshmallow and took a bite. Heavenly! She’d never had a homemade marshmallow before. It was gooey and tasted like peppermint and the chocolate it had been soaking in. She pointed to her mouth and, after she finished chewing, muttered, “Omigod. So good. When are they getting married?”
    He smiled. “The wedding’s in two weeks, New Year’s Eve.”
    “My mother would kill me if I was pregnant before the wedding,” she confided.
    “Good to know.”
    She flushed and took another sip of hot chocolate, feeling cozy and warm, like they were in their own little cocoon despite all the people around them. They talked comfortably about their favorite music and movies while they finished their drinks. Rico helped her put her coat on. She was so glad Rico had finally shown his true colors to