Free It Must Have Been the Mistletoe... by Kate Hoffmann

belongings between her feet. Drew circled around and got behind the wheel. “That’s a possibility,” he said. “How would it work?”
    â€œWell, I’d visit you. Or you’d visit me at my place in Johnson City. Or we’d go somewhere for a weekend together. It could be very simple. I don’t think either of us wants a complicated relationship.”
    He started the truck and carefully steered it out to the road. “So we’re just talking sex?”
    â€œIt wouldn’t have to be just sex,” she said. “We’d be…friends. Friends with benefits. No strings. Just fun.”
    â€œRight,” he said, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
    She waited, wondering what there was to consider. Either he wanted to see her again or he didn’t. She wasn’t going to force him. And it wasn’t as if she couldn’t get along without him. Yes, the sex was great. And yes, he was the most fascinating man she’d ever met. But she didn’t need a man to make her whole.
    They pulled to a stop just a few feet behind her car. Drew turned off the ignition, then twisted around to face her. He hooked his thumb under her chin. “Do you really think that would work?”
    â€œWe could try.”
    â€œAnd what happens when one of us wants more? When one of us falls in love and the other doesn’t?”
    â€œIs that a no?”
    He smoothed his hands along her torso, then grabbed her waist and yanked her against him. “No, that’s not a no. It’s a very interesting proposal. And I’ll think about it.”
    â€œI offer you no-strings sex and you have to think about it?”
    â€œMaybe I’d like a few strings,” he said with a shrug.
    Alison studied his expression, trying to read the look in his eyes. Was he really asking for more or was he just teasing? They’d known each other for two days. It was a little soon to start thinking about anything close to a relationship, wasn’t it?
    â€œAll right,” Drew said. “I’ve thought about it. And I think it’s a good idea.” He jumped out of the truck, then opened her door and helped her out. “So, I’ll come to your recital the weekend after next. And we’ll see what develops.”
    â€œAll right,” she said.
    â€œAnd after that?”
    â€œThere’s Christmas,” Alison said. “Don’t you spend that with your family?”
    â€œYeah, I do. We usually get together at my folks’ house in Knoxville. But sometimes we get together at my sister’s place in Nashville.”
    â€œI’ll be in Ponder Hill. So that would be…close.”
    â€œAll right. See. That wasn’t so hard.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. “Punch your number in and I’ll call you.”
    â€œDoes this even work up here?” she asked.
    â€œNo, but it’s a handy place to store phone numbers. I’ll call you from the landline at the clinic.”
    When she was finished, she handed the phone back. “All right. I guess that’s it then. We’ll talk. Soon.”
    Drew pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “This isn’t the end.”
    Though she wanted to believe him, she wasn’t quite there yet. It could be the end. He could forget to call. And over time, they’d forget what they’d shared. It happened. Feelings faded. Fires burned brightly, then died.
    Alison stepped back, out of his embrace. “’Bye, Drew. I’ll see you.”
    He stayed in his spot, next to the truck, watching her as she backed away. “’Bye, Alison. Drive safe.”
    As she slipped behind the wheel of the Subaru, Alison glanced back at him in the side-view mirror. She put the key in the ignition and, to her surprise, she felt sorry that the car started immediately. There were no excuses anymore. It was time for her to get off this mountain.
    She watched him in the