Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“No way!” he snorted.
“Way. And that’s just a sample. I could go on. The maddening part was that I went out with a couple of those bozos more than once. I’m not a fast learner when it comes to men. It starts with a crush and if I act on it…boom—I’m a useless glob of putty.”
“A crush, eh?”
“Oh, hell yeah. I’m a notorious crusher. I have no shame. And you want to hear something absolutely bananas? You were my very first crush,” I proclaimed, sucking an ice cube into my mouth.
“Me?” Court pointed at his chest. “Really?”
Yes, I was buzzed, and I might even be mortified in the morning that I’d shared this tidbit, but maybe not. That was a lifetime ago. And I was cured, remember?
I snickered. “Really. You were so…nice. And cute too.”
“Oh. You mean when we were in grade school.”
“Well, it started in kindergarten but didn’t stop till high school.” I gestured at the bottle as I stood. “More?”
“Uh, no thanks,” Court replied in a daze.
“Yeah, me either. I’m already buzzed, and I’m working early tomorrow.” I stretched my arms above my head and stifled a yawn. “I love my job, but the hours suck and—”
“Is that why you stopped talking to me?” he intercepted. “I know we weren’t tight friends or anything, but you totally stiff-armed me in high school. For no good reason.”
“Are you joking? Self-preservation is a fabulous reason. Nothing positive comes from mooning over a straight jock when you’re a gay kid on the bottom of the social totem pole. Besides, you had a girlfriend and…” I sighed theatrically and batted my eyelashes. “It broke my heart. Bagel for the road?”
“Uh…no, thanks.”
I did a double take and pulled a yikes face. “Hey, don’t freak out now. It was a long time ago. I promise I’m over you.”
“Uh…right. Okay.”
We were silent for a moment and no, it wasn’t the comfy kind. Ugh. Note to self…stop talking.
I couldn’t do it.
“If I really wanted to meet an eligible bachelor, I’d venture outside of Elmwood more often. Kind of impossible to do, unless…we expand our business.”
Court nodded encouragingly, happy to take the topic-change bait. “That’s a great idea. Where would you go?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe Pinecrest, Fallbrook, or Wood Hollow to begin with, and one day Burlington or Albany or…New York City.”
“I like that. Dream big.”
“That’s all it is at the moment…a dream. JC gave me the idea the day of the penis incident.” I paused to wink at him, adding, “I haven’t been able to shake it. Stacy and I need to chat first, but we need to sell more than coffee. I’m thinking of talking to your parents.”
“You should,” he agreed. “I bet they’d be open to discussing a partnership. They sell bread to a couple of bistros in Pinecrest, and they do some overflow baking for the diner too. I can bring it up to them if you want.”
“No, no. It’s business. It has to come from me.” I set a hand on his forearm and smiled. “Thank you, though. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. Um…I should get going.” Court gestured to the dishes. “Can I help you clean up first?”
“No, no. I’ve got it. I’ll walk you out.”
He shook his head at my amazing, incredible Christmas tree on his way to the door. “I can’t get over that thing. It’s wild.”
I beamed. “I know. I love it. I buy a regular tree too, even though it’s holiday overkill. But who cares? This is my favorite time of year, and I celebrate to the nth degree!”
Court shoved his arms into his jacket, a playful grin on his handsome mug. “And do you celebrate by watching scary movies and stringing candy corn and plastic spiders into garland?”
“No, smartass, but damn, that’s a great idea for Halloween next year.”
He chuckled. “So…what do you do for Christmas?”
I braced my left hand on the doorjamb and cast a quick glance at the fireplace to keep from staring at my guest. Standing a foot apart in the cramped doorway between my foyer and living room felt oddly intimate. Court took up space in my tiny abode, with his broad shoulders, towering height, and big muscles. I was more aware of him than ever. It took me a second to gather my thoughts and remember what we were talking about.
Christmas. Right.
“The usual—decorate my house, string lights outside, drape fresh garland everywhere. And yes, there’s always mistletoe. I also watch holiday movies and listen to Christmas music from mid-November till the end of the year. I bake cookies too, which always turn out to be a hot mess, but baking is festive and fun, and my family and friends are kind enough to compliment me anyway. And…I sign up for every holiday event in town, including the Skate with Santa party at the rink, caroling at Wood Hollow’s Home for the elderly, Toys for Tots Sled Fest next to the Christmas Tree Farm in Fallbrook, and of course, Holiday Bingo. By the way, all of those, including Bingo, have volunteer positions…if you’re interested.”