Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
The truth was, Nicolas Saint Clair was my first real friend. You could even go as far as saying he was my best friend. But that was then, and this was now…
I hadn’t seen or spoken to him since he left Mistletoe Town thirteen years ago, and now, he owned the town he ran away from.
Including my bakery.
His plane landed an hour ago, and it was only a matter of time before he’d step foot into my happy place, spinning it into a whirlwind. From the moment I heard the unexpected news, I couldn’t think straight. It was unbelievable that his grandfather would leave his most prized possession to a man who didn’t actually want it.
Especially when he could have left it to someone who genuinely did. Although I knew he was adamant about keeping it in their family because he turned down millions upon millions of dollars a year to investment buyers dying to get a piece of the pie. It became such a hopeless endeavor that investors stopped trying to take it from under him.
As much as I wanted to pretend to be unfazed by what was about to happen when Nicolas and I locked eyes for the first time after all these years, out of nowhere, I was hit with the memory of the first time we met.
It played out in my mind like it was happening right then and there.
An unfamiliar, rough voice asked, “You new here.”
It was technically a question, but it came out more like a statement. In seconds, my eyes met his, and for a moment, I thought I imagined him, leaning against the bookcase with his arms crossed over his chest.
He instantly intrigued me. There was just something about him that piqued my interest.
“Is that a yes?” he added, arching an eyebrow. “Or does the Grinch have your undivided attention?”
I bit back a smile. He was talking about the book I was reading.
“Aren’t you Nicholas Saint Clair?” I blurted.
I was never one for beating around the bush.
The Saint Clairs created this town decades ago and were basically royalty, but from what I heard, Nicholas kept to himself despite his family being who they were and loving every minute of the spotlight.
“I guess it depends on who you’re asking.”
I shrugged, not backing down. “I guess I’m asking you.”
He smiled almost as if he enjoyed my response. “I’d say the Grinch and I have more in common than I do with the legacy of being a Saint Clair,” he mocked, grinning. “Especially in this Christmas-obsessed town where nothing else matters but Santa Claus coming to town.”
“Oh…” I jerked back, surprised by his outburst.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he ordered in a sharp tone, sitting in the chair in front of me.
My eyebrows pinched together. “Like what?”
“Like I just told you you’re on the naughty list.”
I snickered. I couldn’t help it.
“But don’t worry,” he baited, leaning back into his seat. “I’m on that list every year.”
Playing along, I stated, “You must have a lot of coal.”
He grinned again. “It keeps my tools clean and nice and sharp.”
“Your tools?”
“Yeah.” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. “I help fix and build things around town.”
“Like a handyman?”
He nodded.
“Hmm… you didn’t want to work at any of the businesses your family owns? I mean, they do run everything in this town.”
I’d never forget what he said next. “If there’s one thing you need to know about me, Noelle…”
I cocked my head to the side, realizing he knew my name too.
“Is that I don’t do anything I don’t want to. Especially when it comes to Mistletoe Town.”
“Ugh!” I groaned, realizing I just stuck the cake mixer into the bowl when it was on. Flour suddenly flew everywhere, including in my face and on my body. “Great! Just great!”
Throwing the mixer on the ceramic counter, I quickly slid off my long-sleeved dress at the exact moment the door to my shop dinged open.
“Oh my God!” Instinctively, I shot around until my feet stopped dead in their tracks, almost giving me whiplash in the process. I came face-to-face with the guy who still haunted my dreams.
Nicholas’s stare went wide, gawking at me like it was the first time he’d seen me in my lacy bra and panties. What made things worse was that I wore a black garter belt with stockings and heels. I was literally dressed in lingerie. What could I say? I was the kind of girl who loved to feel sexy in matching sets under her clothes.
When our eyes met, I was dragged to another place and time where he looked like a boy compared to the man he was now. Even after all this time, I was still physically affected by his mere presence. He was as handsome as ever with his bright, piercing green eyes and shining red hair and facial hair he was sporting. It only made him appear more distinguished and refined, but I knew better. Though it was the first time I’d seen him with a beard.