Page 36 of Merry Mayhem
However, these questions are designed to help the town get to know us and demonstrate how well-matched each pair is. It’s not like we have to be fully in tune, of course, but this is fun for the observers.
So far, Josh and I are a perfect match.
We’d both choose hot chocolate over eggnog, wrapping gifts versus gift bags, and now this cookie question. I pretended to like eggnog better, and now blew the cookie question, though. We cannotseem perfect for one another. He’s Violet’s boyfriend.
Violet does like eggnog better, is totally a gift bag girl, and hates frosting, though.
I shut down those thoughts.
So what? It’s not like those things are actually important in a relationship.
The laughter and chatter around the sugar cookie question quiets, and Nora asks, “Real tree or artificial?”
Okay, this one is easy. I’m a busy, working, single mom. I really like having an artificial tree. It’s much less of a mess, and I can just pull it out of the closet, prop it up, and, thanks to buying one that’s pre-lit, plug it in and be done with everything but the ornaments. And I love decorating it with Ruth. We make homemade pizza, put on a Christmas movie, and decorate together one night in early December.
Josh, on the other hand, has to be a real-tree guy. He’s rugged and surely has no problem using an ax. He probably goes out and chops his own down.
So, I can answer this one honestly and be the opposite of him.
I wipe “plain” off my board and write “artificial” in red marker.
“Okay, time!” Nora says. “Let’s see your answers!”
We all turn our boards toward the audience.
I lean to look at Josh’s answer. “No way.”
“Oh, absolutely,” he says. “Artificial trees are much safer. They’re generally made of flame-resistant materials. Real trees get dry and are much more of a fire risk.”
Of course. He’s a ruggedfirefighterwho can swing an ax because he’s afirefighter.
“Next!” Nora announces. “Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?”
All the contestants lean over their boards, but I have to think for a second again. This one is a little tougher. Is Josh the type to not be able to wait for something he really wants, or does he like building anticipation? Does he like to just jump into the good stuff, or does he like to drag the fun out?
And why is my mind taking those questions intocompletelydirty and inappropriate directions?
But it definitely takes me too long to stop the thoughts ofis he against the wall, can’t even make it to the bedroom type, or would he tease and tempt and take it slow?
I tip my head back and groan.
I hear a deep chuckle to my right.
“There’s no right or wrong. There are pros and cons of each.”
Oh, God, that’s for sure.
I look over at him.
Both.
He’d be both.
Sometimes he’d tease and tempt and build it all up, and sometimes he’d just not be able to wait and would make a woman feel like she was the most irresistible thing he’d ever seen. Or tasted.
I slam my eyes shut. Jesus, where didthatcome from?
“Okay, time!” Nora calls.
