Page 14 of Merry Little Sugar Rush
Dad usually delivers my tree, but since I’m anxious to get the one in my apartment put up tomorrow, I’m planning to borrow his truck and bring it to town.
“Do you want me to stop by and help you carry it up the stairs?” John offers.
“You guys will be busy with your own tree,” I state, waving off his offer. “I’ll be fine.” Dragging the tree upstairs alone isn’t ideal, but it’s been done before. It usually just creates a bigger mess with the pine needles. Nothing a broom and dustpan can’t handle.
“Still,” he replies. “It’ll only take a few minutes. I can run over when you get back with it.”
Before I can tell John that’s not necessary, I hear, “I can help.”
I look Burk’s way and shake my head. “You have to work though.”
“I can take my lunch and help you,” he assures, shocking me with his suggestion.
“I couldn’t ask you to do that,” I resist.
“You didn’t. I offered.” He flashes me a playful grin that’s a strong mixture of the playful boy I remember and the gorgeous man standing before me today.
“Umm,” I reply, feeling a little off-kilter.
“That’s good of you, Burk. I’ll make sure you get a lunch around the time Joy is there,” Ray states, looking awfully pleased.
“Well, I need to get back to the bakery,” I state, picking up my bag chair and slipping the carrying strap over my shoulder. I reach for the second one, the chair I brought in the off-chance Burk would be joining us, he refuses to hand it over.
“I’ll carry it.”
I roll my eyes and turn to my family. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Eve steps in and gives me a hug. “Want some help cleaning up?”
“No, I got it. Go home with your boyfriend to your kitties.”
My sister flashes an easy smile. They still live separately, but I don’t think for much longer. Their houses are beside each other’s and they jump back and forth between the two, sleeping together every night. They even move their cats from one house to the other so Miss Snowflake and Biggie can be together. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. Let me know when you’re going to be there to pick out your tree.”
She nods and reaches for John’s hand. I watch as they take off together, so happy they found each other again after dating in high school.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, sweetheart,” Dad says, placing a kiss on my cheek.
“Night, Dad.”
Mom gives me a wave. “Love you, Joy.”
“Love you too,” I tell her as she takes my dad’s hand and walks toward the salon where their vehicle is parked.
I watch them go, smiling slightly at the sight of them together. They’ve always been a relationship goal for myself and my sister. Of course, when we were growing up, it was gross and a little annoying to see them so touchy feely and in love. Dad was always holding Mom’s hand, kissing her hello and goodbye, and always being very attentive to her. Now, they’re the epitome of relationship goals. I see what they have, and that’s what I want someday.
Of course, I’m not gonna lie. I thought I’d have that by now. I turned twenty-nine at the end of October, and I definitely thought I’d be in a different place. Not as far as my business goes, but my personal life. I wanted to be married with a kid or two by this point, and that hasn’t happened. In fact, not even close. I’ve dated, but no one stuck. Heck, no one has really blown my socks off withthekiss. You know the one that curls your toes and makes you forget your own name?
Has never happened.
I probably wouldn’t even believe all the hype, but my sister Eve has told me all about it after she reconnected with John. She dated some loser who cheated on her before that, and there were definitely no toes curling there. But with John? She says it’s pure magic. Like every day is Christmas, wrapped in snow-covered twinkle lights and a big red bow.
I want that.
“Ready?” Burk’s voice breaks through my thoughts.
“Yep.”
