Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 67492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“That was nice of him. I did fall asleep when we were watching a movie.”
“How did you end up at his place?”
“My family sent me home with all those leftovers and an entire pumpkin pie,” I remind her.
“Oh no, mine did too.”
“Well, we’re safe. I took the long way home, just to see if he was home. I found myself pulling into his driveway and knocking on his front door with the pie in hand.”
“And? Come on, Blake, you’re killing me, woman. I need details.”
“He invited me in. He was home all day on his own—his parents were out of town—and so I ended up going back out to my car to give him the leftovers. He ate, we talked, then we watched a movie. I was exhausted and ended up falling asleep. I woke up to a dark house in his arms. He was behind me on the couch and told me that he had already texted you that I wouldn’t be home and asked me to stay.”
“So you slept with him… beside him on his couch all night long?”
“Yeah. I woke up the same way I remember falling asleep.”
“I like this one, Blakely.”
“Yeah, I do too. He’s got some baggage. He’s not interested in a relationship or anything permanent. And he’s older than me. Ten years older than me.”
“So, we’ve all got baggage. Do you know what it is? It is something that’s a deal breaker?”
“No, not really. He’s just not looking for forever. He got his heart broken, and he’s still dealing—or not dealing, I guess.”
“Okay, not the worst thing, but, Blake, that’s not you. You’re not a fling kinda girl.”
“I know.”
“How do you feel about his age?”
I shrug. “It doesn’t bother me. I don’t notice it when we’re together. He’s got his shit together. He’s a doctor, for goodness’ sake. Most guys I meet are still in the party, sleep-around stage of their life. It’s nice that he’s not.”
“So, where is this going?”
“Nowhere.” I exhale deeply. “He’s concrete in not wanting anything long term. He hates the holidays because of his ex. It’s not my story to tell, but he opened up to me this morning. I didn’t even have to ask him.”
“So, what? You’re thinking that he might change his mind?” Concern is written all over her face.
“Honestly, Isla, I’m not sure what I’m doing. I know I want to show him that he can enjoy the holidays and not let her take that from him. I know I enjoy spending time with him. I know I’ve never felt this kind of attraction in my life.”
Isla studies me, and I know what she sees. I can feel the heat on my cheeks. “Did you…?” Her voice trails off.
“No. I wouldn’t. As you said, I’m not a fling kind of girl, but I might have straddled his lap for a kiss and ended up with… more than just a kiss.”
“Yes, girl!” Isla pumps her fist into the air. “How was it?”
“Our clothes were still on. Well, he was shirtless, but it was… the best of my life. That’s pathetic, right?”
“No, not at all. That ten-year age gap comes with experience.”
“He’s not even kissed someone in four years,” I confess. “Please keep that to yourself. I shouldn’t have told you.” I slap my hand over my mouth.
“You know I won’t say a word. It sounds to me like you’ve got this man all tied up in knots.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not exactly knot-free,” I confess.
“So, when are you going to see him again?”
“I don’t know for sure. He said he wanted to see me again soon. He made it sound like before work on Monday. I told him where he could find me today and then told him to text me and we could figure it out.”
“Do you think he’ll show up at the Tree Lighting Ceremony?”
“No. He hates the holidays. She ruined it for him.” I can hear the anger in my voice. Cheating is a hard no. It kills me that he’s been hiding away behind what his ex and his ex-best friend did to him. He’s missing out on time with friends and family. If anything comes out of this, I hope I can convince him of that. I hope, during my time with him, I can make him fall in love with the holidays again.
“I need a shower, and then I’ll be ready to go.”
“I’ll be here,” she says, picking up her Kindle and diving back into whatever romance she was reading.
The Willow River Tree Lighting Celebration is well underway by the time we make it to that side of town. People are milling around everywhere. There are craft vendors, food vendors, a Santa, a gift-wrapping contest, and a snowman-decorating contest just to name a few of the events going on before the lighting of the tree at dark.