Page 63 of My Greatest Joy

“Damn, it’s hot in here. Guess Jasper stopped by?” He strips off his gloves, jacket, and hat.

“Yep, around lunch. It’s a perfect seventy-five degrees,” I say, returning to my stool.

He adjusts the temperature, and I scold him. “Hey! I’m making up for lost heat.”

“Woman, my balls are sweating. I know that’s too much information, but I can’t breathe in this heat. I’m suffocating. I’ll have to walk around naked, and you’ve already warned me against doing that.”

I hold back laughter. “Fine.”

Dasher gets up and Levi lets him out. I put in my earbuds and turn on some calming sounds.

My fingers fly over the keys. I do everything I can to smack down my inner editor and move forward. As I’m writing about the mayor, I feel Levi hovering.

I take my earbud out and slightly close my screen, then glare at him. “What are you doing?”

“You can’t publish that.”

My face transforms into the dirtiest look I can manage. “Excuse me?”

“It’s too bland. Are you writing a history piece or an article about a Christmas town?”

This pisses me off. “I didn’t realizeyouwere an expert. Why should I listen to you?”

He laughs, which only annoys me further. “It’s lacking the feel of Maplewood Falls. No magic is pouring from the pages.”

“Well, maybe that’s because I haven’t felt anything remotely magical.”

“Liar.”

“The people I’ve met have been kind and helpful. My integrity is on the line, and above anything, I’m honest. Maybe it doesn’t havemagic, but this is my first draft, and I haven’t edited it yet. Maybe my opinion will change after the festival, but right now, I don’t see how it’s any different from any other wintery ski town I’ve been to.”

“That’s it.”

My brows crease.

“Guess I’m gonna have to bring it up a notch then.”

“What does that even mean?”

“You’ll see. When do you leave again?”

“Sunday, the day after the festival.” I’ve already been here for ten days, and it’s crazy to think I only have four left.

He rubs his palms together, then pulls his phone from his pocket. “Guess I better get to work then.”

“Explain.”

He flashes a shit-eating smirk that I don’t like. “You’ll see, Little Miss Seattle. You’ll see.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

LEVI

DAY 11

“You’re sure about this?”Fallon asks as we pull up to the shop at the Christmas tree farm. Dasher sits between us and stares out the window. I put on his snow boots and jacket this morning because we’ll be outside most of the day.

“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.” I shoot her a wink, and she playfully rolls her eyes. “You’re going to have fun helping my sister. Hopefully not too much fun, though. No gossiping.”

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