“You’re going to bring that money in. One look at you in that dress, and the men will be emptying their pockets.” She gets an evil smirk on her face.
“Funny how you hated all the dresses when it came to picking one out for yourself. I don’t care if it's in jeans, you’re getting up on that stage too. This is all your doing.”
“I have some dresses stuffed in the back of my closet from when I did volunteer campaign crap in college.” She does dress nice every day for work in slacks and a blouse. “So? Are you going to tell me why you’re on edge?”
“I’m not on edge.”
She flicks a glance my way as we pass the sign that says Welcome to Snow Hills.
“Since that one day we haven’t really done anything past some kissing. What if he’s losing interest or realized how inexperienced I am?”
“The man takes you to work every day.”
“He’s nice and worries about the ice.”
Now it’s Eve that snorts a laugh. “The man wants to fuck you. I promise you that.”
“You’re so crude.” I shake my head but smile.
“I wasn’t the one that was getting eaten out on the library front desk.”
“Hey!” I smack her arm.
“Naughty girl.” She wiggles her brows.
“Eve.”
“Honestly, he seems like a good one. He’s sweet to you and protective. I’ve noticed. I think he might respect you.”
“Maybe he could unrespect me a little bit.” I put my hand over my mouth.
Eve howls with laughter. Did I really say that?
“I kind of love this side he’s brought out of you. I mean, I always knew it was in you. We read the same books, but it’s nice to see you acting on those desires. And if you ask me, this is good. You see that he can be a gentleman. It's just behind closed doors you two get to play another game.”
“Well we’re behind closed doors all the time, and he only gives me quick kisses.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth.
“It’s only been a few days,” she reminds me.
“You’re right.” I sigh. I’m reading into everything way too much. It’s just at times I swear he puts a bit of a wall up, but maybe I’m misreading things. I’m so new to this and the things he makes me feel. “He’s working. I’m sure he has to make up time.” Guilt starts to fill me.
“Now what are you making up in your head over there?”
“Nothing,” I say too quickly.
“Well, Krampus even adores him, and that’s saying something.” Now she’s the one pouting.
We pull up to the front of my place. “I would say thanks for helping me find a dress, but I’m not sure how I feel about it still.”
“You’re going to be the gold star.”
“You’re just trying to get the attention off you and on to me.”
“You do handle it better. I bite.” She chomps her teeth.
“Well don’t bite whoever wins the date with you.”
“He could be into it.”
“I can’t with you.” I lean over and give her a hug before I get out and grab my bag. My gaze flicks over toward Crane’s door. He told me to come over when I got home, but I should leave the man be and let him get his work done. I still have a few boxes of decorations to unpack, but they’re for the inside of my house. I suppose I’ve been a bit distracted too.
I unlock my door, slipping inside. I drop my bags by the front door but hang the garment bag on one of the coat hooks. Krampus pokes his head out from his holiday cat house.
“Yes, I’m home early.” I walk over and give him a few pets before he tucks himself back inside. It’s naptime for him. That doesn’t sound half bad.
I toe off my shoes and take my coat off, dropping it on the chair that sits adjacent to the sofa before I let myself fall onto it. I grab the fuzzy holiday quilt the ladies from the sewing club made for me the first year I’d won the Spirit competition for Snow Hills.
I grab the remote and turn on one of my favorite holiday movies: The Family Stone. I think I love it so much because of how big and close the family is. I’m close to my mom and dad, but I was an only child. I love the idea of having a family as big as theirs. Hopefully one day it will be in the cards for me.
I snuggle into the quilt as the movie starts. I barely make it past the opening scene before sleep pulls me under.
15
CRANE
I tinker with the last set of lights, looping them along the back edge of the roof. Wrapping them all the way around seems like overkill, but that’s what Liza does, so that’s what I’ll do. I want her to be proud of my display. Which is nuts, of course. A month ago, I wouldn’t have been caught dead on a ladder putting up Christmas lights, but here I am. And not only that, I want the lights to be impressive.