AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her eyes widen before she starts dramatically shaking her head. “Nope, nuh uh. Not gonna happen. No way, sir. This is Christmas cheer in a delightful, sugary cup of love. Peppermint mocha, hot chocolate with marshmallows, or white hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. Those are your options.”
“Peppermint mocha, it is.” She dips back into the kitchen to make our drinks, and I make myself comfortable on the couch. “Hey, go ahead and turn on the TV. The remote’s on the coffee table there. I’ve got a subscription to Passionflix just for the Christmas movies. I love them all.”
Turning on the TV, I notice it’s already keyed up to play Passionflix. The ridiculous ringtone of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” scares the crap out of me when it goes off. “Oh crap, that’s me!” Setting down the cup she was holding, she runs into the living room, grabbing her phone. “Tree Lighting Ceremony has been postponed due to the blizzard craze happening outside. Looks like they’re planning it for Saturday instead. Gives us a couple days to get ready for it.”
“How do you know?”
“The Whiskey Run Christmas blog. It has the most up to date happenings, cancellations, additions, news, etcetera.”
“Interesting.”
She heads back to the kitchen, grabbing what she calls “delishiness in a cup,” and returns a couple of minutes later. Placing the mugs on coasters on the coffee table, she then grabs a blanket from the back of the couch and sits down. The couch compresses down as her slim body drops beside mine, and I can’t help but to enjoy the feel as her leg presses against mine.
“Well, hello there.” She smiles over at me.
“Hi yourself, thanks for making us drinks.”
“You’re welcome.” Reaching forward, I grab my mug and take a sip of the hot beverage. Sitting it back down on the table, my eyes find Willow’s and she giggles. “What? What is it?”
Reaching over, she goes “You’ve got a little bit of....” She wipes her finger across my cheek, close to the side of my lip, and I feel the warmth as it grazes across my skin. “Got it.”
“Oh, thanks.” Sitting back, I allow my arm to rest on the back of the couch, and she cuddles into my side. My fingers graze over the back of her bare shoulders as my hand slides down to pull her into me, her warm skin meeting my own.
Covering her legs with her blanket, she looks at me. “Are you cold?”
What man on Earth would say no to that offer? To be close to the girl he's crushing on? Not this one,I think to myself. “Freezing.” My lips curl up into a smirk.
“Liar.”
“Maybe, but if it means sharing a blanket with you, I’d do it again.”
“Charmer, too.”
I wink at her, and she shakes her head. “Okay, you. Scootch under.” Holding up the blanket, I pull it over my legs. Now I have my arm wrapped around her, my leg pressed against her, and I’m sharing her blanket. It’s the perfect spot. “Preference on movies?”
“Whatever you want to watch, Willow.” I say it because I don’t honestly care what we watch. Odds are I’ll be staring more at her than the movie anyhow just because my eyes always fall back to her.
“I like the sound of that.” She smiles wide. “I’m thinkingA Picture Perfect Christmas. It's about a photographer who returns home over Christmas to take care of her grandmother, and then gets involved with the next door neighbor who needs help taking care of his son over the holiday season. It gets a little spicy, too.”
“Sounds perfect. See where I went with that?”
“I do. Okay, now hush. It’s movie time.” Snuggling back into me, she rests her head on my shoulder and throws her leg over my own. It’s comfortable. Normal. It feels like something I would do with a girlfriend in the middle of a snowstorm. She reaches out for my hand and I give it willingly. It isn’t long before small snores emanate from the sleeping beauty beside me and my eyes grow heavy as well.
* * *
The air iscold this evening as it sweeps around Whiskey Run. The blizzard came and went. Two days later, small flakes still sprinkle down around us. My hand brushes against Willow’s as we walk through the town, and I can't help but grab a hold of it. She stirs feelings in me I haven’t felt since Lindsay left. Actually, if I’m honest with myself, I feel more for her than I ever felt for Lindsay, and it’s only been a week. It’s crazy, but I can’t help how right she feels in my life. My own Christmas miracle if you will.
Everywhere you look it's like Christmas spirit spilled over. The whole town is dancing with lights and garland. An ice rink has been set up in the middle of town square. Fraser firs, as I’m told by Willow, enclose it, each decorated in lights and ornaments. Three horses and carriages are lined up along the sidewalk, waiting for the next couple to take a ride around town square. Each horse all done up in red bows and bells. Each carriage dolled up in wreaths, garlands, lights, and bells. The drivers suited up in their best Christmas suit and top hat.
“Hey, Oliver. Did Ashley tell you how much she loved the cover you did? She won’t stop gushing about how perfect it is. I think you’ve got a fan for life.”
“I’ll never turn down good work. I’m really enjoying doing these book covers, more than I thought I would.”
“I’m glad. You do such a great job.”
“So, if I remember correctly, the lighting ceremony is at seven tonight… which means we have a couple of hours to entertain ourselves before then.”
She looks up at me. “How do you feel about ice skating?”
