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Dragging them toward the markets, Bryce declared in a tipsy shout, “We need gingerbread.”
“We could watch a Christmas movie.” Ava smiled, and a pretty flush rose in her cheeks. She looked totally enamoured with the idea of a childlike Christmas. He hadn’t celebrated the season since he’d left his family, and there was no way he was starting now.
“Die Hard,” Cole mumbled before he could censor himself. Shut up, you idiot. He may not have celebrated it, but he also wanted to make Ava smile. Bryce too.
She gasped, horrified. “That’s not a Christmas movie!”
“One hundred percent is.” Bryce nodded in Cole’s direction, still holding his hand, but Ava stopped walking, crossing her arms over her chest and narrowing her eyes.
“If we watchDie Hard, we’re watching a movie I pick too.” Her pout was cute. His dick took notice, and he had the urge to poke the spitfire just to see her rear up ready to attack.
“Yippee ki-yay, motherfucker,” Cole responded with a raised eyebrow. The man walking next to them with kids in tow mumbled disgruntledly, and Ava nodded sympathetically to him. The look she shot him was murderous, her eyes flashing and her lips pursed in annoyance. One look at her and Bryce was in a fit of giggles.
Cole watched as Ava’s expression softened, her lips tilting upward as she focussed on Bryce. The big oaf was like a puppy dog with boundless enthusiasm and energy, and a dose of sexy too. Bryce threw his arm around Cole’s shoulder. He was a touchy-feely drunk and Cole didn’t hate it. He didn’t let himself get close enough to anyone to cuddle, but with Bryce, he couldn’t seem to pull away.
The big man lunged for Ava again, but she dodged, shaking her head. She crossed her arms and stomped her foot, the whole tantrum losing any effect with the smile she was trying, and failing, to hide. “Oh, come on, boo,” Bryce implored, holding out his free arm to her. “Come to Brycey.”
“You’re a bloody teddy bear.” She poked Bryce in the ribs and wrapped her arms around him, adding, “And you… don’t even get me started. Christmas movie, my arse.”
Cole rolled his eyes, biting back a laugh.
“Dessert first, movies later.” Bryce steered them in the direction of the markets. Cole hadn’t imagined his night would turn out like this. Hell, his whole day had been like he was living in the twilight zone, but he was… happy. He was enjoying himself. Cole furrowed his brow, trying to think of the last time he’d been this light. He didn’t usually get drunk. It took too much control away from him, and he needed to maintain an awareness of his surroundings. He didn’t trust anyone enough to completely let go. But he wasn’t drunk either. He had a bit of a buzz, but it was quickly fading. No, this wasn’t the alcohol talking. It was being around them.
“Uh-oh, Cole’s got his thinking face on,” Bryce whisper-shouted to Ava. “Or he’s constipated.”
“I’m not fucking constipated,” Cole mumbled, trailing off as the scent of fresh baked goods hit him. His mouth watered as he breathed in the sweet spices. Bryce had his hands on the biggest bag of gingerbread he could find within seconds—the big guy moved like lightning—and Ava held up a bag of cookies to Cole, silently asking him if he wanted some. A sliver of a smile quirked up his lips and Ava’s corresponding beaming grin lifted them even further. Yeah, he liked these two. They didn’t expect anything from him, not even a conversation, but when he did reach out, they rewarded him with pretty smiles and hugs. That usually would have been enough to make him run, but Cole wanted the cookies.
Ava opened the box as soon as they’d moved onto the next stall and offered it straight to him. He was itching to dive in and devour everything, but he resisted the temptation. Barely. But how did he choose? Chocolate chip and walnut were his faves, but double chocolate and white chocolate and macadamia looked gooey and delicious. He hesitated too long, and Ava reached in, picking a chocolate chip one for him.
The cookie melted in his mouth as they walked. It was almost better than sex. Almost. The moan that bubbled up his throat as he chewed, savouring every bite, was one of undisguised ecstasy.
They stopped in different stalls, Ava buying a photograph of the view from the rise they’d broken down on. Bryce went for the soaps and bath bombs, mulling over which to pick. Cole could tell he wanted more, but he held off getting them.
He stopped at the wood carvings, in awe of the craftsmanship it took to chip away at the raw lumber until it resembled the animals and abstract people the artist had created. He ran his fingers reverently over the smooth curves and snapped his gaze up when the man behind the table spoke to him.
“They’re all made locally.”
“Are you the artist?”
“I am.” The man’s chest swelled in pride and Cole touched the wedge-tailed eagle he had at the front of the table. Even with its wings outstretched, it wasn’t large—not even half the size of an A4 piece of paper—but the detail was so intricate that it was breathtaking. Cole loved it, loved the freedom a bird in flight inspired. But that bird was a little too personal too. They mated for life, they built their nests and returned there year on year—they had a home.
Deep down, it was what he wanted, but he wouldn’t go there. Families broke apart.
He bought the keychain of the coiled snake instead.
Then he saw the boiled lollies and handmade candy canes and Cole was like a pig in mud. It wasn’t until they were browsing the roasted nut stand that he realized Ava hadn’t bought any snacks. “You in the mood for anything?” Cole asked her.
Ava tilted her head in thought and nodded slowly. “I’d like to try eggnog. But not the store-bought crap. I wonder if anyone makes it.”
“There’s a stall up the other end of the market that sells vegan food. The eggnog is delicious,” the lady behind the counter said as she handed Bryce some change. He screwed up his nose, but she continued unperturbed. “It’s made from coconut cream, cashews, and local cane sugar. There’s a bottle-o down the road, too, where you can get some whiskey for it.”
Ava smiled and Cole’s breath hitched. She was beautiful. “That’s what I’m having then.”
On their way, they paused at another handmade jewellery stall. Her fingers lingered over the turquoise opal mounted in chunky silver rings before moving on to look at the crystals. Blue, green, pink, and amethyst earrings, pendants, and hairpins were artfully displayed on pieces of driftwood and black velvet. She didn’t buy anything, but Cole knew exactly what she wanted.
Ava rushed ahead to the stall to taste the eggnog and before he could blink, she’d bought a bottle. “Oh my god, that is delicious,” she raved as she returned to them.
“Bottle shop’s up there.” Bryce pointed to the road they’d crossed as they walked to the pub. “But first, we need a Santa photo.”
