Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
I pick up the snow globe and shake it, thinking back to the one I’m currently working on in my underground workshop. Maybe I should add an elf inside there?
“Nah, he’s new in town. I don’t even know how long he’ll be staying, but… I just really like him, you know? Sometimes you just meet a person, and the two of you click.” I smile at the memory of how Blake’s gun had ‘clicked’ and then didn’t fire. Wasn’t that destiny at work? He could have killed me in that moment, but the universe had other plans for us.
Owen takes a deep, exaggerated breath. “Tell me more. What does he look like? Is he visiting family? Did you two hook up?”
I cover my face for a second, embarrassed that I’m even having this problem. But despite being twenty-seven, I’ve been either living and breathing all the work at the Winter Emporium, or spending endless hours researching my future victims. I’m one of those people who can sleep four hours a day and be fine, but I still barely have any time left to date. The last time I hooked up was months ago, and the guy didn’t seem impressed by my attic apartment. And what’s so strange about festive bedding? It was a classy set too, with pine trees.
“Oh, Owen… he’s so hot. Green eyes, short dark curls, lashes for days. Freckles, long legs, toned arms, and a mouth you just wanna kiss for hours. He’s on the young side, and I think I might intimidate him a little. I don’t know how much time we’ll have, it’s all up in the air.”
“But he’s legal and gay? You think he likes you?” Owen asks, lowering his voice.
I’ve seen his ID, so I know he’s twenty-one. Clearly not too young to almost fall victim to a violent murderer. He’s so lucky I happened to be there.
I groan. “I’m not a cradle-snatcher. And I swear the spark is there. I wore a shirt to see him yesterday, and he was staring at my forearms much longer than necessary. If he just let me, I’d keep him in my bed for a week.” Though I’d have to settle for the one in the basement for now.
Owen’s teeth dig into his lower lip. “Maybe that’s what you should do? When’s the last time you took any time off? You know I’m only leaving to visit Adam’s family on the day before Christmas Eve. I could cover the shop until then.”
I look at the shelves stacked with all types of trinkets, the table set up by the window to showcase our selection of dinnerware, and the glass cabinet filled with festive jewelry. How could I possibly leave him to deal with it all? We do have two more members of staff throughout December, but they work part-time.
“I took some time last year,” I say hesitantly.
“You took one day, Nico.”
And that was enough to deal with the man I killed for Christmas last year. I had to travel across the state lines for that one. Risky, but when I found out he robbed houses of those who left for the holidays, I was enraged. Imagine coming back from a lovely time with friends and family only to find your home ruined. At one of the places he broke into, Edgar murdered a housekeeper, and that sealed his fate.
I shake my head. “Maybe I should just let this pipe dream go. Do I really have the time to date? In December?”
Owen cocks his head and clicks his tongue before adjusting the collar of the shirt I’m wearing under the sweater. “That is literally your favorite time of the year. When, if not in December, when everyone’s mushy from the magic of Christmas, hm? Do you really want to be alone this festive season?”
Ah, it’s so typical that once slutty people couple up and settle down, they think that’s what everyone needs to achieve perfect happiness.
But then again, I have been lonely in my bed for so long.
“What if he thinks it’s weird how into Christmas I am?” I grumble, putting away the globe.
“Come on, Nico, you’ve got your looks to fall back on. I know! You could take him to the Christmas market!” Owen gets so excited he grabs one of the red bells off the counter and jingles it. “Mulled wine to get in the mood, and fa la la la la, la la la la!”
I have to smile at that, because the vision is oh so blissful. Me and Blake, at the market, snow falling, lights twinkling, cups filled with hot chocolate, and our mitten-clad hands entwined as we shop for handmade gifts.
“I guess I won’t know if I don’t try, right…?”
Owen makes a fist-pump, and then lightly punches my chest. “That’s the Christmas spirit! Set up a nice date, show him what you’re good at. I know you have enough charm to make magic happen.”