Page 2 of The Snuggle is Real
My eyeballs nearly fell out of my head as I stared at Heath Kelly, former soap actor, Hallmark heartthrob, and most exciting of all, the male lead in their last three queer-themed holiday movies.
Eeek!
“Are you okay, dear?”
I jolted out of an embarrassing fantasy that had recast me as Heath’s costar in a swoony kiss scene. “Uh, I was just…”
“Drooling over the movie star?” Marlene guessed with a chuckle. “I noticed.”
My face heated, and I turned my attention to unloading my box of supplies. I set up little plastic stands to better display copies of the brochures, donation forms, and applications for help.
Beside me, Marlene got busy with her own volunteer signup.
“I would think you’d already have all your volunteers by now,” I said.
“You would, wouldn’t you?” she said mildly. “But we always have a few last-minute scheduling conflicts. You can never have too many volunteers.”
I smiled. “That sounds about right.”
Soon, Marlene was inundated by friendly townspeople.
“Marlene! So good to see you. The tree looks gorgeous this year. I can’t wait to see it all lit up!”
“Hi, Marlene! Find me later. I’ve got some juicy gossip!”
“Marlene, don’t you just love how happy Griff looks this year? Gosh, he and Logan are adorable!”
I glanced across the park, and sure enough, Logan had wrapped his arms around Griff from behind and was whispering in his ear. Griff freaking glowed enough to compete with that tree once the lights came on.
I sighed wistfully. I was focusing on my career right now. I didn’t need a man. But I wouldn’t mind snuggling in against a broad chest now and again.
Marlene’s visitors took my brochures too, and soon half of them were gone.
“Maybe they should have hired you to lead the nonprofit,” I joked.
Marlene laughed. “Oh, honey, I’ve got quite enough on my plate already.”
A hush came over the audience, and the mayor stepped up to the microphone to introduce Heath Kelly.
“I’m so glad to finally be here with you all in Christmas Falls,” Heath said in his smoky smooth voice. “This is such a lovely way to start the season.”
There was cheering and applause.
“I know I’m pretty,” he joked, “but how about we light this tree and give you somethingreallybeautiful to see?”
“It’s unlikely to compare, but sure,” I muttered.
There was a deep, rusty chuckle near me. I whipped my head to the side, eyes widening at the mountain of a man who stood there.
“You’re a fan, huh?”
A fan of your broad chest? Yes, sir.
“Um.”
He pulled one hand out of the pocket of his thick flannel and waved it toward the stage. “The movie guy.”
“Oh.” I nodded. “Yeah, he’s talented.”
