Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 14955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 75(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 75(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
“That was a double wow.” Grey smiles down at me. “And to answer your question, your dad let me in when he dropped off Snoopy.” I’m not sure my mind can take this many shocks in one day. His eyes move slowly over my body as I lean over to pet Snoopy, and I feel my temperature rise to blazing-out-of-control.
“I’m going to run and change clothes before we eat,” I tell him, needing a little time to cool my jets and get my red cheeks under control.
Grey steps closer to me. I nearly expire on the spot when he leans over and whispers against my ear, “Get comfortable.” His words aren’t super steamy, but they send my heart into overdrive as fantasies of him doing all kinds of steamy things to me flash through my mind.
“I’ll be right back.” I turn tail and scurry to my bedroom before I do something that gets me in trouble. Like jumping his bones.
I take my time, deciding what to change into, then I slowly pull on a pair of light pink sweatpants and a matching sweatshirt. My heart rate is still elevated when I finish dressing, so I waste a little more time brushing my hair and putting on lip gloss. Eventually, I run out of ways to stall and take a deep breath before heading back out to the living room.
My heart melts when I find Grey and Snoopy cuddled up on the sofa, a Christmas movie playing on the TV. “I thought you might’ve fallen asleep on me.” He glances over at me and winks. Darn. I guess I took way longer than I realized.
“I was debating jumping out the window and escaping.” Where did those words come from?
A smile teases the edge of Grey’s mouth. “I’m glad you didn’t.” He sets Snoopy on the sofa before walking over to me. “I would’ve chased you, and I’d hate to give this town more to gossip about.”
“Don’t worry.” I laugh. “They’ll just make something up.”
Grey wraps his palm around the side of my face as he smiles into my eyes. “I’m making friends with the residents in Blue Spruce. Before you know it, I’ll be their favorite outsider.” He’s not wrong. I’ve heard stories about him helping out all over town. I’m not sure where he finds the time to run a multi-million-dollar company while helping Mr. Lipton groom her roses and giving Mr. Francis a ride to the doctor when the bus was running late. Grey also helped my dad fix the loose middle step on my parents’ front porch and has started taking Snoopy for daily walks.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he tells me and points at the breakfast bar. My eyes widen as I stare at all the dishes he has spread out on it.
“Holy cow.” I can’t believe he managed to figure out my favorite meal. “Who told you I love Chinese food?”
“A little birdy was happy to help me out after I climbed up on his roof and fixed a loose shingle.” Grey winks at me, and I realize he fixed my parents’ roof.
“I’ll have to remember to thank the little birdy when I see him.” I’m not sure when I fell hopelessly in love with him, but I have no doubt the condition is permanent.
Chapter 5
Grey
It’s Noelle’s last day of school before the Christmas break, and I volunteered to dress up in Mr. Elkins’ Santa suit and show up at the elementary school to hand out little gifts. The things I’m willing to do for love. Like forcing myself to leave her apartment every night with just the memory of our make-out sessions to hold me over. It’s killing me to spend every available moment with my little elf without making a move, but I’ll do whatever it takes to win her for life. Even suffer horribly in the meantime.
Mr. Elkins meets me at the door and hands me a black suit bag. “You can use the staff restroom to get dressed.” He points at the last door at the end of the hall. “Then I’ll take you to Noelle’s classroom.”
I hurry up and pull on the scratchy costume, then carefully arrange the white beard over my face to hide my identity. After pulling on the red hat, I stare at myself in the mirror, satisfied with my appearance.
“You look very Santa-like.” I guess that’s the biggest compliment I can expect from the principal. “Follow me.” He turns and heads down the main hallway. When we stop outside the door marked, “Ms. St. Nick,” he turns to me and holds out his hand. “Thank you very much for doing this. For the kids.”
“You’re welcome.” I’ve been busting my ass, trying to make friends with all the residents in this crazy little town, and I’m starting to see results from all my hard work. I haven’t been called Citified Scrooge in several days, and the town’s residents have stopped glaring at me as I walk by. My company will release a statement on Monday about my plans for Santa’s Shoppe, and I hope it will turn me into one of the town’s favorite residents.