Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 18010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 90(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 90(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
Anger surges through me. My hands ball into fists. No one can have her. No one can look at her. “Fuck you.”
He chuckles, and it’s the sound of a man who knows he’s won. “Which charity should I make the check payable to?”
2
SUSIE
Rogue is the hottest man in all of Courage County. I mean, it was an unofficial poll conducted by me, and I was the only one voting. Still though, my vote should count for something. With those glacier blue eyes and that thick white beard he keeps trimmed, he looks like he just stepped out of a hot dad catalogue, which makes sense since he’s my friend’s father.
I’ve never had a family. At least, not one that I can remember. But I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to date your friend’s father. Or fantasize about kissing him. Not that it matters. Rogue doesn’t even know I exist.
He’s the handyman around town. He does odd jobs at the gym where I work. He’s been around a bit more than usual. His projects keep taking longer and longer to do. I worry that maybe he’s sick or tired or just in need of a good multivitamin. Except I can’t voice these concerns because that would be totally weird.
“What do you think, Lucky?” I ask my black cat as I spin around my tiny bedroom to show off my outfit to my little rescue.
I found him hiding in a box on my back porch a few months ago. He was soaking wet and meowing as if in pain. His ribs were clearly visible, and when I took him to the vet, he couldn’t find a chip in him.
I adopted him on the spot. The vet bills were expensive, but my little guy is worth it. He’s fully healed and at a healthy weight now. More than that, he’s happy. At least, he seems happy.
Lucky meows at my twirling.
“No, that’s not true!” I stop and point my finger at him. He’s awfully judgy, even by cat standards. “I did not dress up for Rogue. If he happens to be on the schedule to work at the gym, that’s not my fault.”
He meows again from his place high on his cat tree.
I sigh and scrutinize my clothing in the mirror. I paired a green sweater dress I found at the thrift store with brown leggings and secondhand boots. The outfit clings perfectly to my curves, and the earth tones make my skin look like I’m glowing. “I can’t get anything past you, can I? Alright, so he’s hot. I’m not going to do anything. You know that. We’ve talked about this.”
Even if he weren’t Mackenzie’s dad, Rogue is still two decades older than me, maybe more. A man like Rogue is experienced. He’s wild. He’s built like a polar bear. A great big, growly polar bear. One who could pick me up and carry me around in his strong arms.
The thought has my cheeks heating. I press my hands to them. “Stop this. The man has never even said a word to you.”
Lucky jumps fearlessly from his perch, landing right next to the tiny three-foot Christmas tree in the corner. The cheap dollar store ornaments on it sparkle as they tremble from the aftershocks. My little guy rubs himself along my legs, as if sensing where my thoughts have gone.
“You’re right,” I whisper as I lean down to stroke his back, just the way he likes. “It’s not so bad to be alone at Christmas. And besides, we have each other, so we’re not really alone, are we? Yeah, that’s what I thought too. We’re lucky. Both of us.”
After one last cat snuggle, I grab my keys and the gingerbread supplies. The gym is more than just where the people of Courage County work out. It’s quickly becoming a place where the community gathers, and tonight, we’re hosting a gingerbread house contest.
Sure, there will be plenty of people who show up with their own supplies. But Hale, the owner of the gym and my boss, told me to make sure there were extras. He didn’t want anyone turned away. That’s the kind of man he is.
When he found me sleeping in the women’s locker room last winter, he gave me a job right there. It didn’t matter to him that I had no references and was down to my last five dollars. He even rented an apartment to me without asking for a deposit.
Before I leave, I check over the boxes again. There are three big, white ones filled with sprinkles, gingerbread squares, and royal icing. I whipped up a huge batch last night, and I’m pleased to see the consistency is holding well.
On my way to the gym, I crank up the Christmas carols in my car and sing along. Today will be a good day. I can feel it. I’ll get to spread some holiday cheer and spend a few minutes discreetly checking out my crush.