Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
MERRY
I didn’t want my night with Nolan to end. So naturally, I did what any sane person would do and woke him up extra early. In fact, I was showing restraint because I laid awake a good thirty minutes, coming up with a plan, before I gently shook his shoulder.
“Why do you have to be a morning person?” Nolan glared at me in the dim early morning light. My bedroom faced the patio and some bushes, and I’d never bothered figuring out curtains for the small space.
“I’m a surfer, bro.” I adopted a fake California accent. “All the best waves are at dawn.”
“There’s waves all day, every day,” Nolan said reasonably. Well, reasonable for someone who’d never surfed. “Please tell me you’re not taking me surfing in the middle of the night.”
“It’s almost morning.” I waved a hand before getting out of bed and fetching him a pair of my swim trunks I thought might fit. Sensing an outing might be happening, Barney hopped around, tail wagging. I flipped on the small light on the dresser before Barney or I whacked something. “And close, but no, not surfing.”
“Those look suspiciously like surfing shorts.” Blinking at the light, Nolan frowned.
“They’re the best I could do, Mr. Fashionista.” I stuck my tongue out at him as I pulled on a pair for myself. “And I did think about sneaking into the hot tub and skinny dipping, but I figured trying for that might be pressing our luck.”
“We’re sneaking into your apartment complex’s hot tub?” Nolan perked up at this thought as he finally roused himself enough to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Yep.” I made myself look away before I gave in to the temptation to drop to my knees in front of him and get the morning started a different way. “The deck for the hot tub has a cool morning view, and then I’m taking you to breakfast before I have to pick up the boys.”
“You generally pick good breakfast spots.” Nolan yawned.
“You’ll like this one. Ken Kekoa always gives me two vouchers for weekend brunch at the resort where he works his second job as a holiday gift. Thought we could use them.”
“Oooh, a fancy brunch.” Nolan put a little pep in his step as he followed me out of the bedroom.
“That’s the spirit.” I stopped by the coat closet to retrieve two hoodies since it was still rather nippy out. Barney, who could be as impatient as Nolan at times, stamped and snorted at the delay.
“Speaking of spirit, how is Christmas less than a week away?” Putting on my hoodie, Nolan gave another big yawn. And man, I liked him even more in my clothing, all casual and adorable.
“I know. Don’t remind me.” I pointed at the stacks of unopened delivery boxes in the closet. “I’ve got the presents, but I hate wrapping.”
“I love to wrap.” Nolan rubbed his hands together, likely due to the chill and his enthusiasm. “Can I help?”
“Absolutely.” I was down with any activity that got me more time with him before Christmas, but I also wanted the help. “You can wrap all but yours.”
“There’s one for me?” Nolan got all cheerful as I dragged him away from the closet and into the morning air. Barney led the way on his leash, unconcerned by the crisp air.
“It’s a cheesy present,” I warned as we made our way around the building and up a small hill to the spot with the pool and hot tub. There was a fence with a locked gate, but I had a key because I did occasional pool maintenance for my landlord. “Don’t expect much.”
“I’m charmed whatever it is.” He waited for me to open the gate, then followed me to the hot tub, making a show of tiptoeing like we were thieves. Knowing better than to attempt swimming in the hot tub, Barney flopped down on a lounger. Nolan tested the water with a single toe. “Oh, I’m supposed to invite you and the boys to Cara’s annual Christmas Eve open house.” He slipped into the hot tub before adding, “My parents will be in town. You could meet them.”
I switched on the bubbles before joining him in the hot tub. “Is that a please come, Merry? Or is it a this will be awkward, but Cara asked?”
“It’s a please come.” He offered me an earnest smile. “I know we said we’re only…together this month, but the holidays aren’t over yet. Give us Christmas Eve.”
“Okay.” There wasn’t much I could deny him. “Christmas Day, we’re headed to North Shore to my family. You’d be welcome, of course.” I added the invitation all casually, but in actuality, waking up with Nolan on Christmas morning was a sudden addition to my personal bucket list. “But sounds like you’ll be on parent duty.”