Page 25 of Merry Little Sugar Rush
Okay, I wasn’t expecting that…
“What? Why?” I’m completely confused about why someone wouldn’t find value in what he does.
“Her father was a banker, and she thought I would make more money going into her family business.”
Confusion washes over me. “That’s…dumb. Has she not seen your work? I got online last night and found your social pages and website and saw even more photos. Your work is beautiful; that’s the only way to describe it.”
He cracks a cheeky grin. “You social media stalked me?”
I open my mouth, but all I do is stick my foot in it. “Uhhh…”
“It’s okay, Easy-Bake. I social media stalked you too.”
“You did?”
He shrugs. “That first night after I dropped by the bakery. Gram was still at the hospital, so I did a quick search of your bakery.”
“Oh.” Knowing he searched me out and saw my social media pages makes me a little giddy, and if he weren’t staring at me right now, I’d probably do a little happy dance.
“Didn’t see any guy pics on your socials,” he states, not as a question.
I slip the rest of the final strand of white lights onto the tree and step back. “No, no guy pics anywhere.”
He moves to stand directly beside me. “Good.”
Curiosity gets the better of me, and I turn to face him. “Good?”
He shrugs. “That just means there’s no one in your life right now I need to worry about.”
My heart is beating so hard, I’m sure the Grinch could hear it all the way up at Mount Crumpit. “Worry about?” I whisper, trying to get my bearings.
He just grins before reaching out and swiping a lock of hair from my forehead. His fingers leave a trail of heat in their wake as they brush across my skin. “It might make me an asshole, but I’m a little relieved you’re not dating anyone.”
“Why?” The voice asking the question doesn’t even sound like my own.
“Because that means I don’t have to share you with anyone else while I’m here. I get you. All of you.”
Well, okay then.
He seems to find humor in my lack of words and smiles so brightly you don’t even need the lights on my tree to brighten the room. His smile alone does the job just fine.
“Come on, Easy-Bake. Let’s decorate.”
EIGHT
Burk
It’s takingevery ounce of self-control I have not to kiss her. From the moment I handed off the poinsettia and she smiled in appreciation; I’ve been fighting a mental battle to remain gentlemanly and respectful. I want to kiss her, and I want it more than I want my next breath of air.
“Oh my God,” I blurt out, pulling a familiar ornament out of the last tote of holiday decorations.
Joy’s face blushes dark as she bites her bottom lip and looks away.
“You still have it.” It’s not a question. It can’t be. The proof is in my hand.
I stare down at the handmade ornament, and I’m transported right back to the day I gave it to her. She hadn’t been feeling well and missed two days of school. On the third day, a Saturday, I was working with my dad and uncle at the tree farm and went to the craft station to see if they needed anything. They were helping kids make popsicle stick ornaments, and I decided I needed to make one for Joy.
I chose the reindeer design, which was really just an upside-down triangle with some pipe cleaner antlers, two googly eyes, and a red pom-pom for the nose. I took extra time making sure it was proportionally correct and even adding some silver glitter glue sparkles around the nose because I knew Joy would love it.
