Page 100 of Stay this Christmas
People meandered down the market aisle, taking just as much time with their booth inspections as her. Every fifth person had the same genius idea to wear a Santa hat, but the effect proved festive. Carols played through loudspeakers, and I found myself bopping along.
“It’s not so bad, is it?”
With one arm looped through mine, she smiled so sweetly, I could only give one answer.
Like every other task she’d put on my Christmas experience list, I’d been surprised just how much I enjoyed it. Didn’t matter all that much if we were baking cookies or making our way through a crowded market—everything was better with her.
I touched my nose to hers. “Bah humbug.”
She tried to glare, but her mouth curled up as if fighting a losing battle against a smile.
“If you two are done canoodling, come check out my soaps,” a voice called from behind us.
Harper’s sister, Eliza, stood behind a booth stacked with chunky bars in several colors. Forgot she’d said she was a vendor here. Harper looked like she’d rather skip her sister’s stall entirely, but I pulled her over to say hello.
“Look at you two, all cozy tonight.” Eliza grinned like she could eat us up.
“Market going well?” Harper’s question couldn’t hide the bright pink patches shining out on her cheeks at being caughtcanoodling.
“Making a killing. And how about for you two? Things going well?” Her voice dropped, and one eyebrow kicked up, giving all sorts of naughty connotations to her questions.
“It’s good.” Harper picked up a soap bar without looking at it and gave it a sniff, feigning interest.
“How about you, Sam? Are you warming up to Christmas?”
Harper shook her head at her sister’s saucy tone. Pretty sure Eliza wanted to know about much more than my opinion on the holiday.
“I consider myself fully warmed.” Lifting my eyebrows, I matched Eliza’s attitude.
She laughed. “Good to hear. If you need any soaps, I’ll give you the family discount.”
“Eliza,” Harper hissed.
“Sorry. I mean, I’ll give you the sister’s boyfriend discount. Is that better?”
Harper’s glare could have melted all the soaps on the table, but I couldn’t keep the smug smile off my face. I put a hand on her waist and nudged her closer. “Sister’s boyfriend discount sounds great to me.”
“Can I assume we’ll be seeing you Christmas Day?”
Harper looked like she wanted to gut Eliza, which didn’t give me a whole lot of hope I’d be getting that invite.
“Have I ever told you how much you remind me of Mom?” Harper said.
Eliza gasped. “You take that back.”
“If the meddlesome shoe fits…” Harper turned to me, the pink spots on her cheeks even darker than before. “I meant to ask you if you wanted to join us for dinner. I know you’ve got stuff with your family, though.”
“Their big celebration is in the morning. Kids rip open the presents, Ava makes a huge breakfast, and then everyone naps the rest of the day. That’s what Georgia says, anyway. I could do both.”
“Two Christmas celebrations?” she said, a hint of teasing in her voice. “That’s kind of a lot for you, isn’t it?”
“I can take it. I have plenty of stamina.”
Her glare was ruined by the light of desire in her eyes. If the thoughts in her head were anything like mine, we’d both get coal in our stockings this year.
Eliza snorted, reminding me we’d already made enough of a scene for one night. I didn’t care all that much, but Harper seemed to, and that was enough to stop me from pulling her in for another kiss.
A man eased by, two travel mugs in his hands, to reach Eliza in her booth. “Here you go, El. Extra whipped cream.”
