Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
I didn’t see myself getting emotional over squirrels that afternoon, but life was weird like that sometimes. Maybe because my love of squirrels was something I shared with my ex-best friend Cassie. Now, I had a whole set of memories tied to people who were no longer in my life.
I felt my cheeks heat as I rubbed my hand against my neck. “Do you want to know more facts about squirrels, or is this getting weird? It might be too soon to show my weird side to you.”
“Show me every side. I want to know it all.”
We spent the remainder of the day sharing little details, along with big ones. I learned that Matthew had dreams of opening a charity to help underprivileged children. He wasn’t close with his father due to differing beliefs, but his mother was his best friend. He hated tacos.
I figured that was a red flag, but I’d ignore it for a little while.
We spend the night laughing, sipping hot cocoa in igloos, and skating around the ice rink for hours. He even bought me a small Christmas tree ornament from one of the small shops at Christkindlmarket. It was a small tree created from pages of novels. I couldn’t wait to put my tree up a week after Thanksgiving to hang out the little charm.
“So how hard is it for you to date as a romance author? Do you have unrealistic goals for men?” Matthew asked.
“I don’t think so. I’m wise enough to know a fictional man written by a woman has his advantages. I don’t try to hold real men up to those standards.”
“But do many men ask you if you’re using them for writing inspiration?”
I chuckled. “Every single one.”
“Except me.”
I nudged him in the arm as we walked around Christkindlmarket, exploring all the shops. “I feel like you asking that was you asking in a roundabout way.”
“Okay, okay, maybe it was. Honestly, I’m so fascinated by what you do for a living. I’ve never met an author before. Let alone a romance author.”
“We’re not as wild as it seems. Most days, I sit at my computer writing inappropriate scenes while Grandma stares at me.”
Matthew came to a full-blown stop with his walking. “I’m sorry, what? You’re able to write sex scenes with your grandmother watching?”
I burst out laughing, clearly understanding how he arrived at that belief. I placed my hand against his arm. “Oh, my goodness, no. Gosh, no. My cat’s name is Grandma. It’s a long story, but yeah, no. Grandma the cat, not my grandma the eighty-year-old.”
A sigh of relief hit him as his hands flew to his chest. “Oh. Good. I thought you just showed me your first red flag.”
“Naming my cat Grandma isn’t a red flag?”
“No, that’s full-blown green if you ask me.”
“Really? Because that shows you how weird and awkward my brain is.”
Matthew smiled my way. “Holly?”
“Yes?”
“I like how your brain works.”
I smiled, feeling flush.
Then he began to plan date three while we were on date number two.
After the second date, I took a taxi home and walked straight into my apartment, feeling as if I was still riding high from a perfect date. “Oh my goodness, that was the best date of my life.”
My phone dinged, and I looked down to see a message from Kai. Perfect timing.
Kai
You home yet?
Holly
Just walking in. And guess what?
I snapped a photo of the ornament that Matthew gave to me and sent it over to Kai. Then I collapsed into a pool of happiness on my couch as I relived every moment of the evening.
Kai
Maybe you should’ve taken a bar of chocolate to him, after all.
Holly
I can grab one from you and give it on the third date.
Kai
Too late. I ate it all.
I smiled at his comment.
Kai
A third date, huh?
Holly
He’s taking me to see a theater show. He loves theater. Oh gosh, Kai. He’s so nice! You’d love him.
Kai
I don’t love people. I kind of hate most of them.
Holly
Except for me! You don’t hate me.
He didn’t respond for a while, so I prepared for bed. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and then crawled under my covers, ready to get some of the best sleep I’d ever had after a wonderful day.
My phone dinged one last time for the night.
Kai
Yeah. Except for you.
I stared at his words and grinned ear to ear before setting my phone on top of my nightstand. I knew I’d grow on that man like a good ole fashioned witch’s wart.
KAI
He brought her flowers.
I didn’t know why that made me irritated, but it had. Not only did Matthew bring her flowers, but afterward, he stayed consistent. Before I knew it, they were hitting date number nine. Holly shared their first kiss with me, how her feelings were growing, and how he was doing everything right.
I loathed her oversharing, and I detested him.