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“It is?” I said, rummaging in my purse for lip balm. “Should we stop at a thrift store for you?”
“No, I’ve got plenty of ugly sweaters at my parents’ house,” he said. “I’ll just swing by and grab one.”
“Sweaters? As in multiple?”
“The Little Christmas uniform,” he said, pulling out of the lot. “Do you need one? I could loan you something.”
“I have one,” I said, dabbing balm on my lips. “I’ll grab a hoodie too.”
“You can keep borrowing mine,” he said, glancing at me. “You know, in case you don’t want to haul your whole wardrobe up there.”
“It’s fine. I probably should pack for at least a week. It’s not exactly convenient running home for clothes like this and there aren’t clothing stores in Little Christmas unless I want to wear holiday merch,” I said, tossing the lip balm back in my purse. “It’s like Christmas threw up over there.”
He chuckled from the driver’s seat.
“Too bad Little Christmas isn’t warm,” I said. “I already packed for that. So what was it like growing up somewhere so remote?” I asked, putting my purse back on the floor.
He shrugged. “You get used to it. You learn to plan better. Especially because you can’t just run to the big box store and get what you need.”
“Is there even takeout delivery up there?”
“In the holiday season, yeah. In the offseason? It’s one guy, Clive, and he only does runs from four to six p.m.”
“The apps matched me once with a guy who did food deliveries. He told me he travels for a living.”
He huffed a laugh.
“So is your boyfriend coming up for the wedding?” he asked. “Or are you still on the apps?”
“No, I don’t have a boyfriend,” I said, petting the dog over the center console. “How about you?”
“I’m single.”
“Oh yeah? Why? Too jaded for romance?” I teased.
“Funny, but no. I was with someone for a few years. It was serious, we were engaged, but we broke up a year ago.”
“Why?”
“She cheated on me. Some guy from her work. His wife messaged me to tell me. It was very traumatic.”
“Yikes. I’m sorry. I’m divorced, so I get it.”
He looked surprised. “What happened?” he asked.
“All the things that the prenup will ensure won’t happen to Noel.”
“Huh. So that’s why you’re so protective.”
I lolled my head to look at him. “Let’s just say I wish someone had stayed up until two in the morning negotiating my prenup.”
“Have you dated at all?” he asked. “Besides the guy who travels for work?”
I shook my head. “Nah. I sort of gave up. It’s a mess out there.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I went on a few and quit. I just don’t think I’m built for the online thing.”
I studied him. I’d snatch this guy up in a second if we matched on an app.
