Page 63 of Holiday Crush

Yep, we’d closed escrow last month on a large two-story colonial house. Bryson had alerted us the day this one had gone on the market, and we were eternally grateful. New listings were hard to come by in town, and this one was a beauty—four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large great room, a newly remodeled kitchen, and a finished basement. Most homes in Elmwood were on the older side and ours was no exception, but that didn’t matter. It had been well-maintained, had a huge yard, a wraparound porch, high ceilings, original hardwood floors, and best of all, the ample windows let in a ton of natural light.

In short, it was the exact opposite of the teeny tiny bungalow we’d shared. My old place had been fine for one, but it had felt a bit squishy after Court moved in…which roughly coincided with the holidays exactly two years ago.

Nope, we hadn’t wasted any time.

Actually, our living situation had sort of naturally evolved. Court sold his condo in Charleston, along with the furniture, and had a few belongings sent to his parents’ address. But bringing a change of clothing to my house every night had gotten old fast, and at the end of our respective days at the coffee shop and the rink, we just wanted to be together.

And…we’d had some planning to do.

I’d been totally overwhelmed at the prospect of buying Stacy out of her share of Rise and Grind, but I’d refused to sell to the Hendersons…or anyone. I’d worked too hard to give up and start over again. It wasn’t as if I’d make a mini fortune anyway. I owned a tiny coffee shop in Vermont, not a McDonald’s franchise. If I wanted to grow, I had to make some changes. So I presented a business plan to Court’s parents, proposing to feature a few of their baked goods in exchange for my select blend coffee. Okay, that might not sound exciting, but…it gets better.

Court had suggested marketing Henderson’s and Rise and Grind as a package deal to be sold at kiosks in a nearby city grocery store. We opened three Elmwood Bake and Grinds in Rutland, Burlington, and Albany. No kidding. And check this out…I was able to use the profits to open two new Rise and Grinds in Pinecrest and Fallbrook with my new partner, who also happened to be my boyfriend.

However, Court was more of a silent business partner in my growing coffee empire. He’d invested some capital, and of course, I consulted with him regarding any major changes…you know, through a mouthful of toothpaste before bedtime. But that was fine by him. He was busy with his own projects.

See, Elmwood had become a serious hockey mecca over the past few years. Vinnie, Riley, and now Court actively worked to put our tiny town on the map with an elite club team, a popular summer camp run by professional hockey players, and now…a local high school program. Court was thrilled to be part of the action.

Much to Vinnie’s surprise, Court never regretted walking away from a chance to play professionally. He truly enjoyed coaching. He’d signed on as Vinnie’s assistant for the juniors at the Elmwood Rink and as an assistant athletic director to Riley at Elmwood’s brand-new high school. Oh, and he’d agreed to coach one Mighty Mite practice a week with Mary-Kate ’cause according to my man, hanging out with little penguins on ice was kind of fun.

It was heartwarming to see how good Court was with kids since they seemed to be popping up everywhere. Stacy’s son, Sam, was almost two and her daughter, Ivy, was just three months old. Oh, and Vinnie and Nolan’s son, Alec, was one…a little too young for skates, but it was only a matter of time.

I joked with JC over my much-improved latte art that he and Riley would be parents soon too, but in typical JC fashion, he’d rolled his eyes. “No, we’re married, we’re happy. You can make us uncles…we don’t mind. But I do mind dicks in my coffee. What is this?” Of course, I’d flipped him off and sent him on his way. There was no point in insisting I’d made a perfectly appropriate candy cane befitting the season.

Holiday art was just the beginning, though. There was so much to do!

“I was thinking we should buy two trees this year,” I said. “One for our little friend here…as per tradition, and a bigger one for the living room.”

“Two trees? That’s a lot, babe,” he huffed, kissing my temple.

“Our new furniture won’t arrive till next month, and that room is so bare. We can turn it into a winter wonderland with—”

“No snowflakes on the ceilings. I’ve hung six hundred snowflakes over the past week. My arms are killing me.”

I snickered and cuddled close. “Okay, no snowflakes, but lots of garland and mistletoe. We could have an epic housewarming holiday party and invite everyone.”

Court shifted to face me, his arms locked around my waist, his eyes bright with humor. “Everyone?”

“Well…friends and family and—where are we shuffling to?”

He pulled me with him toward the kitchen and picked up the sprig of mistletoe I’d meant to hang in the foyer. He held it above our heads and kissed me, slow and dirty.

“Make a wish.”

I might have argued that mistletoe was only a kissing thing, not a wish thing, but I was charmed. I loved this man more than I ever would have dreamed possible. I loved his sweet nature, his gruff side, his curious mind, and damn, I loved the way he looked at me. To be his was more than enough.

So I closed my eyes and sent up a prayer of gratitude instead. Court was my love, my heart, my future. I didn’t need or want anything else.

“Did you make a wish?” I asked, nuzzling his bearded jaw.

“No need. Mine already came true.”

I beamed. “I was thinking the same thing. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Ive. So fucking much.”

He dropped the mistletoe on the island and squeezed me fiercely, then spun me in a circle and kissed me breathless. We laughed and probably made a gooey noise that would have made our teenage selves gag.

So what? We’d earned the right to be silly in love. Our future was bright, and it was kind of nice to know that this crush wasn’t just a holiday thing…it was the real deal.

A once in a lifetime forever thing.

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