Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
“Then it’s settled, we’ll grab a quick bite and be back before your brother even realizes we were gone.”
“Sounds good to me!” She jumps off the stool and begins the process of putting on her winter gear.
While she busies herself with that, I lock up the register, switch off the lights, and retrieve my coat from the back. By the time I return, she’s just finishing pulling on her hat.
“Ready?” I ask, excited for this little adventure with her.
“Ready, Freddy.”
Smiling, I take her outstretched hand and head for the door. We only make it a few steps before it swings open, revealing the one man who has the power to stir emotions in me like no other, the sight of him bringing us to a halt.
Our eyes lock in a time-stopping moment, igniting a spark that sends a jolt straight to my heart. I’m held captive by its magnetic pull, lost in an undeniable current that promises to consume me entirely.
“What the heck are you doing here?” Poppy’s accusing tone breaks our connection. “You’re not supposed to pick me up for another hour.”
“Nice to see you too,” he grunts, clearly unfazed by her less-than-stellar greeting. “I manage to get off early for once, and this is the greeting I get?”
That explains why he’s not in uniform like usual. Instead, he effortlessly rocks a pair of dark-wash jeans and a red and black plaid jacket that’s left casually unzipped, despite the icy weather. Beneath it, a black Henley clings to his athletic frame, the waffle-knit fabric accentuating every hard line it conceals.
It should be illegal to look this good, especially in something so casual.
“Look, I’m happy for you,” Poppy retorts, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Truly, I am, but you have bad timing because Hollis and I are about to head out for dinner.”
He raises a brow. “That so?”
“Yes,” she replies, her tone firm. “So, you have two choices: join us or come back for me later. Your call.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, attempting to hide my smile. I bet she is the only person who can get away with speaking to him like this.
“Damn, that’s too bad,” Mike sighs, feigning disappointment. “Guess I better go return the surprise I have for you in my truck then, huh?”
Poppy perks up next to me, her interest piqued. “Surprise? What kind of surprise?”
He waves off her curiosity. “It’s not important. You go enjoy dinner. I’m sure I can get my money back.” He turns his back on us with the pretense of leaving.
“Not so fast, mister!” Poppy charges forward, crashing right into him. “It’s a Christmas tree, isn’t it?” she guesses eagerly.
He tortures her further with a nonchalant shrug.
“Tell me, right now,” she demands through a laugh, tugging on his jacket.
Amusement forms on his expression. “Go see for yourself.”
Poppy runs back to my side, grabbing my hand. “Come on, Hollis. Let’s go see what it is.”
I jog alongside her, unable to suppress my laugh as she tugs me past Mike.
The two of us share a brief smile, the exchange simple yet powerful, before I’m jerked out the door into the frigid air.
“What the…?” Poppy comes to a sudden stop, nearly causing me to collide into her back.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, looking down at her.
She points ahead, her eyes wide with disbelief. My gaze follows her finger, and I wince at the sight of the tangled mess strapped to the back of Mike’s truck in what I’m assuming is supposed to be a Christmas tree, though calling it that feels generous. It looks more like a gnarled root with a few desperate twigs.
Yikes!
Mike strides out behind us, his chest puffed out with pride as he stands next to his surprise. “So, what do you think?”
Poppy’s delicate nose scrunches in distaste. “What is it?”
He frowns at the question. “What do you mean? It’s the Christmas tree you’ve been asking for.”
Walking closer, she gingerly picks up one of the barren branches, inspecting it with a critical eye. “Where did you get it, the dump?”
Mike bristles, clearly offended. “What? No! I got it at a tree farm north of town. It happened to be the most expensive one on the lot, thank you very much.”
Dropping the broken branch, Poppy turns to her brother, looking him dead in the eyes. “I hate to break it to you, but you’ve been taken like a chump.”
He straightens at the harsh words. “The hell I was. What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s deader than a doornail, Mike,” she says, putting it bluntly.
“It is not. It just looks like this right now, but it will be fine once it’s decorated.”
I’m not sure who he is trying to convince more now, her or himself.
Poppy turns to me, looking for support. “Tell him, Hollis.”
Mike stares at me expectantly, waiting for validation.
I shift uncomfortably, hating to add insult to injury.