Operation Christmas by Barbara Weitz Read Free Book Online Page A

cook. Nope. I’m better off. I’m tellin’ you that boy’s got determination.”
    Madeleine sipped her wine and glanced Jess’s way. No one would find her saying different. And so opposite Danny in looks and body stature, which surely was a good thing. The love of her life since sixth grade had met her at eye level. It felt odd being with a guy so much taller than her average self. She put Tamara’s advice to work with a big smile when Jess eased into a chair next to her, snagging the tablecloth with his prosthetic arm. Wine spilled into Madeleine’s lap. A small gasp left her throat as she scooted back her chair.
    Jess cursed under his breath and grabbed a napkin, then halted his instinct to help dab up wine from her crotch. His eyebrows shot up right before he gave her the most mischievous grin.
    “I’ll handle it.” She grinned back, pressing the white napkin into her upper thigh and between her legs.
    “Sorry about that.”
    “It’s nothing.”
    “You ready to take off? See if that wet spot freezes to your leg.”
    She let out a hearty laugh. Between Jess and Tamara there had been no shortage of opportunities to pump crazy-party endorphins into her system. “It wasn’t very much. I think it’s already dry.” She pressed the spot again and showed him no red wine stained the napkin.
    They said their goodbyes. Madeleine promised Tamara they’d stay in touch. Do lunch or a Java Hut caffeine run sometime.
    Jess didn’t talk much until they were almost to her house. Okay, technically, her parent’s house, which meant she wouldn’t be inviting Jess inside. It amazed her to think such a thought. She rubbed her thumb against her wedding band before slipping her fingers into leather gloves.
    The car wasn’t even in Park before he stated her name in such a way she understood he didn’t want her to bolt off. Adrenaline and a good dose of uncertainty hit wondering if he intended to kiss her. Could she give him one kiss and not feel guilty? A friendly thank you token for a good time that didn’t say more would follow? She already found herself dealing with feelings of betrayal for having had such a good time. After two years of mourning, she instinctively knew this wasn’t a healthy sign.
    “Do you like to be called Maddie or Madeleine?”
    Not the question she expected. She grinned, remembering Tamara called her by the nickname. “Some people call me Maddie. My family uses my full name. I’m not sure why.”
    “I like Madeleine. I’ll stick with that.”
    She saw him appreciating the Christmas decorations on the house. The front door had a small stoop and sat in the middle of a mid-sized two-story Colonial. White Christmas lights decorated the bushes, while a floodlight beamed against a dark red door with a wreath. He turned to her. “I had a good time tonight. Would you like to go to the mall tomorrow and soak up some more Christmas spirit? We could grab a bite at Brickman’s.”
    Madeleine loved Brickman’s cozy interior and fabulous salad bar. She also appreciated Jess didn’t pressure her for the kiss she fretted over. The awkward uncertainty of dating made her move her head in a slow shake. “I’ve plans for tomorrow,” she fibbed. “But I had a great time. Your friends are awesome. Loved Tamara.”
    “Me too. I told you she was special. How about dinner after work Monday?”
    “Uh, busy. Christmas.” She made an apologetic shrug in hopes the busy season would be excuse enough.
    “Ah, the gentle brush-off.”
    “No. Not at all.” Her words were defensive. But Jess wouldn’t be winning any awards for tact and putting her in a tight spot. He gave her one of those “ yah, right. I wasn’t born yesterday ” looks. She tried to keep her chest from heaving under the rapid beat of her heart. “Look. I’m not ready to date. I don’t remember how to date,” she said in a breathless whisper more for her benefit than Jess’s.
    “Maybe it’s just me, but it seemed we were hitting it off