Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“I’ve pretty much got most of it done. I just need to fill in the lights on the tree, the crowd, and other small details, and then it’s finished,” she explains.
“You amaze me,” I laugh, almost envisioning what the scene tonight will look like. “The best I can do is an uneven stick figure.”
Moments later, Finn walks up with a holiday cup and hands it to Oakley.
“What were you two talking about?” he asks, placing a sweet kiss on Oakley’s lips.
“Painting.” Oakley shoots me a wink, and I appreciate her kindness.
“Well,” Levi says. “Lucy has a booth around here somewhere. I need to go say hello.”
“She’s on the far side, right in the middle of all the commotion,” Oakley says.
“Good seeing you again, Fallon,” Finn offers. “Keep him out of trouble.”
“One can only try,” I say.
“If you get bored, I’ll be here all night,” Oakley tells us and we wave goodbye.
Levi falls in line beside me with Dasher in tow. “What did she say?”
I chuckle, but her words aren’t ones I’ll be forgetting anytime soon. “Nothing. Nothing at all. But she did get me a gift.”
“Yeah?” he asks.
I pull it from my pocket and show him.
“It’s perfect.” He laughs and I quickly steal a kiss.
Eventually we find Lucy who’s selling hand-carved ornaments from the shop and boxes of White’s famous gingersnaps by the dozens. She’s busy as hell, so we wait in line for our turn to chat with her.
“It’s those cookies,” I say, seeing just how many people are buying. “Is it really a secret recipe?”
“Yep.” He smirks.
“And you’re not going to tell me?”
He leans in and whispers in my ear. “Not until there’s a ring on that finger.”
My heart flutters at the idea of marrying this man. But I know it’s just a fantasy, and I’m getting way ahead of myself.
“You’re a tease. But I did notice your wise choice of words. You said until instead of unless.”
“Always so observant,” he mutters, then winks.
I swallow just as it’s our turn to order. Lucy squeals when she sees us holding hands. “Oh my God, it’s my favorite non-couple.”
Levi leans across the table and gives her a hug. She forces me to do the same, but I don’t mind it. “Are you guys having fun?”
I nod as Levi places some cash in her tip jar. “Just wanted to say hey and tell you that you’re a badass.”
“Thanks, Levi. You’re my favorite hype squad. But I’m closing this baby down once I sell out of everything.”
“Then I guess we better leave you to it,” he tells her.
After a few more hours, we find an empty park bench and sit. I pull out my phone and type away, writing down all my thoughts.
“You’re so fast,” Levi says, sitting back and relaxing.
“There’s so much to write,” I say, going back to my phone. He doesn’t rush me or ask any questions, and after an hour of nonstop typing in my phone, my wrists and fingers ache. I lock it and look over at him, and he’s completely relaxed, happy even.
“You’re done?”
“For now, I think. I’m hungry.”
Levi checks the time and chuckles. “Oh yeah, it’s time for lunch. I’ll drop Dasher off with Lucy if you’d like to go to the deli. She brought cans of dog food for me too, so I’ll feed him too.”
“That lemonade actually sounds really good.”
“And being inside will give you a chance to warm up,” he offers.
See, that’s the thing about Levi—he’s always putting me first.
After we feed and drop Dasher off with Lucy, we head toward the diner.
When we enter, Greta smiles wide and leads us to the same booth we sat in the first time. It feels like deja vu because we order the same things, but I’m grateful the conversation is different.
“So are you leaving?” Greta asks, refilling my lemonade. It’s freshly squeezed and if I could take a gallon home with me I could. Levi glances up at me, and I give her a smile.
“After the new year,” I proudly say, hoping she spreads the word.
“Ahh, well that’s great news,” Greta says, winking at Levi.
When she walks away, he smirks.
“You know she’s going to tell everyone.”
I grin. “That was the point.”
“Mm. I like possessive Fallon. She’s strategic.” He leans forward. “And sexy as fuck,” he whispers.
Levi and I finish eating, and soak up the heat until the restaurant gets busy. Once a line forms outside, he pays then we return to the festival.
Levi gets a text and laughs.
“What?”
“Lucy asked if she could keep Dasher all day because he’s helping her sell more items in his costume.”
“That’s hilarious,” I tell him. “But he did draw a lot of attention when I was waiting for you earlier.”
Levi quickly texts Lucy back and tells her that’s fine.
“Do you want to ice skate?” he asks as we pass a small rink that looks like it was brought here just for the event.