*Olivia*
"Bobby !" Tom sounds absolutely mortified. It turns out that Bobby has smelled the Christmas cookies I have in a glass jar on the table and apparently tried to get the baked goods by pulling the glass down and smashing it. "Bad dog.. very bad dog".

Bobby is frantically licking his paw, making a small sound that is kinda of a mix between yelping and whimpering.

"Tom stop.. don't scold him.. the poor baby hurt himself". I squat down and gently lift him up, getting a couple of happy licks to my cheek. "It's just a thing.. the glass.. Bobby is much more important".

"Oh". Tom looks like he feels really bad now. "I.. I didn't know he hurt himself.. I just felt so bad he broke you cake thing.. I can pay".

I look at him shaking my head. "That was you an old jar Tom.. please go get my first aid box.. it's in the bottom drawer in the kitchen".

I watch Tom hurry into the kitchen..it was a bit of a lie.. It was actually an heirloom and quite expensive.. but Bobby didn't mean to break it.. and it's still just a thing.

"Here you go". Tom puts the box on the table, opening it. He looks nervously at his dog. "Is it bad ?"

"I think it's just a small cut". Luckily Bobby is a very well behaved dog and lay still while I clean it. Tom is starting to look frantic. "Tom could you clean up the broken glass ? There is a dustpan in the cupboard in the hallway".

Tom disappear again.. coming back a minute later to clean up the broken glass and cookies.. he is very metodic.. making sure there isn't a single share of glass left on the floor.

"There you go boy.. your daddy has cleaned the floor". I put Bobby down, and he lift his Paw, looking at the small sock I have put on, so he won't lick the cut. "Is it weird wearing a sock.. huh boy ?" I look up at Tom. "No worries, it was a very small cut".

"Thanks darling". Tom is looking at me in a way I can't really read and I focus on packing up the first aid box. "Uhm Olivia.. you don't want to try and mend this.. the jar I mean ?"

"Bobby, no biting the sock sweetie". I shake my head closing the box. "Nah, it's not worth it.. to small pieces".

I look up to find Tom standing very close. "At least let me pay darling.. that was a..".

"No Tom.. it's just a piece of glass". My alarm in the kitchen starts beeping. "Oh.. cookies.. I need to go get out the last cookies".

Hurrying out into the kitchen I shake my head as I get out the last cookies. Stop it Olivia.. you are way too old to fawn over a man.. especially a man like him who probably only date models.

"Okay miss Olivia.. stop running". I hear Tom's voice behind me, making me whip around, finding him once again way to close. "Why won't you let me pay ? I happen to know that it was an very old and expensive jar he smashed".

"As I said Tom.. it's just a thing.. yeah so it was old.. but Bobby didn't mean to break it.. and my life is just as good without it.. just.. forget it okay ?" I swallow as I look up at him.

His hand comes out to gently grab my chin. "Okay then.. you really are something special.. very special".

My heart is trying to smash itself against my ribs. "No.. nothing special.. I.. Well material things just don't mean much to me".

"And that makes you special". He lean slowly down and I am pretty sure I am going to faint, as his lips ghost over mine. "So does your beautiful smile".

"You are beautiful.. I mean your smile.. you have a beautiful smile". Way to go Olivia, now he will surely think you a complete geek.

But instead he laughs that adorable little laugh. "You are so utterly adorable.. with your falling, and having flour on your cheek, and the words that seem to.. just come by themself.. but mostly for the big warm heart you have".

I am not able to say anything and slowly he lowers his head again, this time kissing me for real, making my head spin so badly I have to grab hold of his shoulders. His lips are soft but kinda demanding at the same time and I just follow him knowing he is definitely more experienced than me.

My mind is running crazy.. I can't believe that this handsome and very sexy man is kissing me.. but oh he is most definitely kissing me, quite passionate even.. one hand still holding my chin.. and other is on the back of my head.. kinda entangled in my hair.

He softly pull a bit away, looking softly at me. "You really shouldn't be alone on Christmas darling.. come with me to my moms house".

"Tom.. I can't.. what would your family think.. I mean you bringing someone you just met". I feel myself go all flustered.

"My moms first though would most likely be 'finally'.. she kinda want me to find.. the right one". He chuckles softly. "I promise, no one will mind.. everyone will adore you".

I fiddle with my hair.. I am not sure I am the kind of woman his mom hope for him to bring home. "I don't know Tom.. I tend to go really awkward around new people".

"I kinda realised.. but..". He bites his lip and reach out to cup my cheek. "I find it immensely adorable.. and so will they".

"And what would you say.. 'here is awkward Olivia.. she fell and hit her head' ?" I am looking up at him.

He chuckles again, his thumb caressing my lips, sending chills through me. "What about 'This is Olivia.. my girlfriend.. please be nice to her I like her to not be scared away' ?"

"Girlfriend !?" I am pretty sure my jaw just dropped to the floor.

"Yeah.. if you want to be". He lean in, his lips catching mine again.. the kiss soft, but it still manage to make my toes curl. "Why don't you pack up those cookies for old Mr Samuelsen.. I'll go deliver them.. and you give it a bit of thought ?"

I nod. "Yeah.. I can do that.. think".

After quickly packing up the cookies I hand them to Tom, who is bundled up in his coat. He takes the cookies, and lean in to kiss me, like he wants to remind me what I can have. "See you in a minute darling".

"Yeah see you". I let him out into the snow.. the I hear a whimper beside me. "No worries Bobby. Daddy will be back in aminire, he didn't forget you".

I walk over to look in my hallway mirror.. it's not that I am ugly.. I am actually quite happy with how I look.. I have just always been so awkward with guys.. men.. and the older I Got the harder it seemed to.. break that stigma.. it became embarrassing to have to say..'I am 30 and a virgin.. I am 35 and a virgin'.. when I hit 40 I kinda just gave up.

What do Tom want with an old spinster like me ? Will he run when he find out ?

I look at myself again.. why should I not deserve happiness and love... Maybe I was simply waiting for Tom to come into my life ? Is things like that real ? Do I dare take the leap ?

The door open and Tom come in, brushing snow of on the step first. "It's really coming down out there now".

Bobby runs to him as he shrug out of his coat and he squat down. I look at them. "He feared you forgot him".

"Bobby of course I didn't.. I would never leave you.. you and me belong together". He look up at me, his cheeks flushed from the cold and his eyes sparkling like the midnight sky.. there are snowflakes in his ginger curls.

My throat goes dry and he get up, striding over to take my hand, but waiting for me to speak.. and finally I manage. "Yes Tom.. I'll go with you and I'll be proud to be your girlfriend".

"Marvelous darling.. brilliant". He grins happily at me, before pulling me into him, his hair dripping on me as he kisses me, but I don't care.. I think this is the start of something great.. Maybe even my happily ever after.