Page 29 of 27 Kisses

“And you usually sign them. But I did, and you didn’t, so here we are.” She raises an eyebrow.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Aidyn watching our exchange. I grab the papers out of her hand and stomp over to my desk. I scribble my name on the first one and slap it on my desk. Each paper gets the same treatment. It’s aggressive and a bit over the top, but I can’t seem to help myself.

I shove the papers at her, not daring to look at Aidyn.

“Thanks, boss. Sorry to interrupt.” Her eyes shift to Aidyn, and the smirk on her face tells me everything I need to know.

She leaves, closing the door with a click. After locking it, I turn to Aidyn. His brows are raised as if to say that was interesting. But I don’t see any traces of worry or fear. “I’m sorry.” I gesture to the door and then slip my hands in my pockets. “I think she knows.”

“Ya think?” He chuckles and kisses me softly. But I can’t stop at one, and the kisses turn from sweet to searing so fast that I become dizzy with want. It’s been too fucking long since I’ve seen this man naked. Aidyn puts his hands on my chest and gently pushes me away. “Maybe I should wait in the car.”

“If you want me to actually focus on getting out of here.” I wrap my hand possessively around his nape and squeeze.

Aidyn groans. “Not helping.” A few moments and scattered kisses later, he’s out the door with a warning that I have fifteen minutes before he drags me out.

I rush to complete necessary tasks and gather my belongings. The things I can’t finish or need to do later are thrown in my satchel. I can’t drop everything on Nat. This is my business. Everyone depends on me.

Nat almost runs into me as I exit my office. “Finally.”

I ignore her sass and head toward the employee entrance. We talk about work as she follows me. Which mostly consists of me thinking of last-minute things and Nat assuring me she has it covered.

“Thanks, Nat.” I turn to face her. She can be annoying, but I couldn’t ask for a more efficient or loyal assistant. “Call me if you need me.”

“Will do, boss. And likewise, if you need anything, like advice or a pep talk…”

“It’s just Christmas. I’ll be fine.”

“Uh-huh.” She glances past me, and I follow her gaze. Through the small window on the exit door, I can see the white van with Christy’s Café on the side. “So, you and the grumpy Irishman? I should have guessed.”

Her voice is low, but I still check the area. No one else is around. “It’s not…” I start to deny it, but I can’t. I’m tired of denying this thing between us. “It’s complicated.”

“I bet. Enjoy Christmas with your family. And if your secret boyfriend becomes your secret fiancé, I expect to be notified immediately.”

Eight

AIDYN

Ten Days until Christmas

Like most small towns,Mule Creek goes all out for Christmas. Garland twists around the light poles and fairy lights turn downtown into a magical place.

After I park, Garrett and I walk up and down the sidewalk, checking out the shops. They’re all decked out for holiday shoppers, and I’m not sure where to go first.

“What about here?” Garrett stops in front of the Sinclair’s Five and Dime. A mom-and-pop store with candy, crafts, and most importantly, Christmas decorations.

Inside, the place smells of pine and gingerbread. “White Christmas” is playing on the speakers overhead, and I can’t stop the memories of Emily and me finding just the right ornament for six-year-old Lanie.

The aisles are small, so Garrett walks ahead of me. I reach up to touch his back. To ground myself. And drop it again. Touching Garrett in public is not something I get to do.

And whose fault is that?

I’m the holdout. But why? I love Garrett. And I don’t think anyone will care if we’re together. Maybe his parents. Okay, definitely his parents. They didn’t think I was good enough for Emily.

But I don’t really care what they think. I care about Lanie and how it would affect her. Would it bother her? She loves us both.

Early on, I was worried about the town. And how it would look. Would customers go elsewhere if they didn’t approve? Would it affect my business?

But Emily has been gone for almost ten years. That’s no longer my main concern.