Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
I take the steps up and kiss her until we’re both breathless. “Good morning, sugarplum.”
“Good morning, James. Are you ready?”
“I’m not ready to spend the day away from you, but if I must, then let’s get it over it with so we can have a real dinner together.”
“I like that idea, but it’s Christmas Eve.”
“Do you have plans?”
“Well, it’s the Christmas party in the Town Hall Center building.” She bites down on her bottom lip. I find that so sexy.
“Would you like to be my date, Holiday?” I ask, hoping she’ll say yes because I want everyone in town to know she’s mine.
“Yes.”
“Good. What time should I pick you up?"
“I’ll be ready at six. I close up at four today and leave by four-thirty.”
“Wonderful.” We make the short trip to her bakery, and she tells me to pull around to the back.
I walk her to the door and say, “I’m going to wait until you’re inside, okay?”
“That’s fine.” She pauses and bites down on her bottom lip. Damn the woman is too tempting and it’s killing me to leave her, but I know she has her own responsibilities.
“I’ll see you later, sugarplum.” I bend down and kiss her like we both need.
“Fuck, six seems so far away. I might have to stop by and get a cookie fix.” Her eyes light up, letting me know I’m not the only one who doesn’t want to let this moment end.
“I’ll keep some waiting.” She goes inside with a pretty blush on her face.
Once she’s inside, I head back to my car and to the house so I can get some stuff done. There’s a lot to do in the few hours today. The deliveries will be arriving in the next couple of hours. I have time to take a nap. Last night, I managed to get two more chapters done. Since I met her, I’ve gotten more done than I had in two weeks back home. I’ll actually meet my deadline in two weeks. Instead of hitting my bed, I pop on the sofa and pass out quickly.
The sound of my doorbell wakes me up and I grumble, then I remember my ass needs this. So, I rushed to the door. It’s the kid from the first day. The look on his face is filled with panic and he takes a step back. “Hey, I’ve got eight boxes for you. It says to sign for them.” He sticks out the little tablet.
“Come on in with them, please,” I answer, darting my head outside, hoping that Holiday doesn’t stop at home for any reason. The boxes are a dead giveaway of what some of them are since the damn box has a Christmas tree on the side. Others have the ornaments and lights on them.
“She’s not home. She’s at the shop right now. Holiday never takes time off especially during this time of year.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Oh, okay. Thanks.”
“This is a lot of stuff to overnight. We have a store in town,” he says.
“Yeah, but I didn’t want anyone to tell Holiday about it. I want to surprise her, understand?” A smile spreads over his face.
“Absolutely. This is cool. She’s going to love this. You’re my last delivery. Do you need any help setting it up?”
“That would be great.” There’s something I need to say before we get started first. “I was a real dick to you the other day.”
“Yeah, but this is for Holiday, and she’s a treasure around here. Making her happy is pretty cool in my book. Besides, Bethany at the bakery told me that you’re a writer, looking for peace and quiet, so I get it.”
“So what’s with everyone being in love with Holiday?” I grumble, like I’m one to talk.
“Isn’t it obvious? She’s the hot girl next door with her life together, and she’s sweet as pie, not to mention she’s single.” I stare at him like he better stop talking before I boot his ass out my door. He puts his hands up and sputters, “I’m personally not interested in her. I’m happily dating someone, but she’s cool to me and always gives me a treat when I drop off her deliveries.”
“Good. Now, let’s get this done before it gets any later, and I’ll toss you an awesome tip.”
“Sounds cool to me. I’ve got a lot of textbooks to pay for next semester. Med school is going to be expensive.” Med school?
“Congrats.”
He helps me set up the Christmas tree in the corner of my living room near the fireplace. It’s perfect for a night with Holiday in my arms. It takes about two hours to do it all, so I toss him two hundred bucks.
“Wow, thanks, man. You didn’t need to do all that.”
“Your help is huge. Just remember—don’t tell her because I want it to be a massive surprise.”