Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
The theme was fairy tales, and since it’s a running joke that Coleson is my giant, we went as Jack and the Beanstalk. He was my beanstalk, and I was Jack. It was fun climbing him all night—and even better when we got home and I did it naked. In the photo, I have my limbs around him like a koala as we both laugh. His eyes shine so brightly, his dimples deep, and I look like the happiest girl in the world. Which I am.
All because of Coleson.
God, I miss him.
He’s been on this road trip for six days now, and boy does it suck. This is the sixth road trip since the season started, and I still miss him desperately every time. Probably because the distance makes me feel incomplete, which is silly, but it’s my truth. I love Coleson Katz more than I ever thought I could love someone. Each day is a new chance to love him and show him how much he means to me. Sometimes I feel like he’s fallen for me. However, he hasn’t said a word or even given me a clue about it. I feel it, though, deep inside.
I grin over at my sisters. “We came in third, but if you ask Coleson, we won.”
They both snicker as I wipe down the espresso machine. Elliot is on the road trip, doing her social media gig. And even though she and Austen aren’t here, the other three of us have gathered to plan Christmas. Austen and Louisa went home with their men for Thanksgiving, so we all agreed that we’d spend Christmas Eve together. We had Thanksgiving at the coffeehouse with Coleson cooking for everyone, and it was nice, but since it’ll be all of us girls, and now three guys, we wanted to gather at Peepaw’s place. It’s way bigger and will hold all of us with ease.
“I can’t wait to get to know him more at Christmas. Elliot seems to like him a lot,” Louisa says, and as always, that sting of guilt hits me square in the chest. I still haven’t disclosed how Coleson’s and my marriage came about or why. I don’t know if I ever will. While it started that way, things are no longer how they were at the beginning. Thankfully, neither Elliot nor Peepaw has said anything either. Everyone just assumes we’re truly in love and rushed the marriage.
“I think he’s wonderful,” I say with a wide grin.
“And you’d tell us if he’s stepped out, right?” Louisa asks pointedly, and I flash her a dark look.
“Yes. And once you get to know him and see us together, you’ll see how that question is unnecessary.”
“Elliot told me that he looks at you like you are the only girl in this world,” she sings the end as if she’s Rihanna herself, and we all giggle at her. She’s so tone-deaf it’s scary, but that doesn’t keep her from singing at every turn. She’s been that way since we were kids. “Which is what we all want.”
“I love how he looks at me,” I say with a wink. “Especially when we’re naked.”
“Oh my God! I bet you do!” Clara gags playfully as Louisa watches me closely.
I give her a look, and she reaches out, capturing my hand in hers. “You’re happy?”
“Yes,” I tell her with all the confidence in the world. “We’re very happy.”
She gives me a small smile, but I don’t think she believes me. “Okay. I’ll see at Christmas.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. I’ll be watching you and Ciaran.”
She gives me a sly grin. “Just don’t enter rooms when the door is shut.”
Clara giggles like a schoolgirl, and I flash Louisa an exasperated look. “I learned my lesson when I came home and he had you bent over the kitchen table.”
Clara is full-out snorting as Louisa grins proudly. “Hey now. You know how it is when you just gotta lie on the nearest surface and get railed by the guy you love.”
I mean, she’s not wrong, but I don’t give her the satisfaction of agreeing with her. I glance at the clock, and my heart jumps. “Okay. Are we good? Coleson’s game is about to start.”
Louisa nods as Clara sucks down the rest of her smoothie. “Yup. I’ll text everyone what they’re bringing and who their Secret Santa is.”
“Make sure you don’t cheat. Use the damn app,” I tell her as she leans across the counter to kiss my cheek. I kiss my little sister back, squeezing her before doing the same to my big sister.
“She’s gonna cheat,” Louisa says, and I nod.
“Oh, I know,” I say, waving at them. “Love you.”
They repeat the sentiment, and as I watch them leave, I wait for the nervousness of Coleson hanging out with my whole family at Christmas to wash over me.