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“I would love that. I pulled out the ladder, but I got nervous with the ice and all. I don’t get up and down as easily as I used to. I did call you to ask if you could stop by the other day, but Celeste answered your phone. She said she’d pass along the message. So when I didn’t hear back, I just assumed you were busy with the new bookshop,” Mom says. “I’ve got a whole new pack of lights out in the garage.”
There’s no way Hudson got that message. Nathan and I exchange a knowing glance at the mention of Celeste’s name.
“You’ve got totes of Christmas lights right here, too.” Hudson points to the three bins sitting on the living room couch.
“No, those are old ones. These I got on sale at the craft store. They’re LED!” Mom hurries into the garage and Hudson follows close behind her.
When it’s only the two of us left in the kitchen, I look at Nathan and smile. “So, what about your place? Please don’t tell me you’ve got the only house in Christmas Town without cheer,” I tease him with a laugh. “My fingers are crossed that there’s at least a wreath on your front door. I’m sure your um… girlfriend or wife, or whoever has that all sorted out for you.”
“Ha. I live alone, sweetheart, and I’ve gone full Grinch at home too. It isn’t just a work thing.” Nathan winks at me as we finished cleaning up the last of the dishes.
I hate that his admission makes me feel like floating. “Well, we can’t have that.” I step into the living room and open one of the red totes on the couch. “We’ve got to find a few things to go home with you today. Get that place cheered right up.”
“Oh no,” Nathan chuckles.
It only takes me five minutes to fill his enormous arms with all the Christmas trimmings. He’s got a wreath, an inflatable snowman, tin soldiers, and enough faux evergreen branches to make a forest. When he can’t carry anymore, I load up my arms too.
“You’ll be surprised how much happier you feel at home when you’re surrounded by all things Christmas. You won’t forget and leave them here, will you? You know what, on second thought, I should take them straight to your truck. Do you have your keys?”
“I do.” There’s a false hesitation in Nathan’s voice that makes me laugh.
I follow Nathan down the icy front path and out to his truck. He unlocks the back door and loads his new Christmas treasures into the cab. I walk around to the passenger side to do the same. Only, I fumble on the slick ice as I try to open the door.
I spiral toward the ground, sending everything in my arms sprawling out into the yard. Before I can even attempt to get to my feet, Nathan is there, offering me his hand. When I take it, the heat that bubbles between our palms is enough to have me tripping all over again. He pulls me up in a gentle, swift movement, steadying me with his hands wrapped around my back. I lean into the embrace, and even when I’m fully upright, Nathan doesn’t pull away.
“Thank you.” My words are only a whisper as his eyes lock onto mine. I feel his stare in my chest and my heartbeat quickens.
“I’ll always keep you safe. You know that, right?”
“I think I do.” We stay there, our lips inching closer together in a slow, steady rhythm that makes me weak in the knees. “I’m so happy it was you in the Santa suit.”
A slow-spreading smile grows on Nathan’s lips, and I nuzzle closer to him. His warmth spreads like hot cider throughout my body as he wraps his arms around me even tighter. With every beat of my heart, I grow more and more amazed at how powerful this connection feels. For the first time, I think that our attraction might not be one-sided after all.
Nathan stares at me and his eyes go glassy. Then he leans toward me and our lips meet in a dreamlike kiss, sealing every wish I’ve made since I was a kid. I feel the sweet peck whip through me like wildfire. When he pulls away abruptly, my lips still tingle.
He lets out a heavy sigh. “It doesn’t matter how old you are. Hudson will kill me if I kiss you. You know how he is when it comes to you. I shouldn’t do this.”
I grin up at him. “You’re already in so much trouble.”
Without another thought, I rise onto my tiptoes and kiss him again. Nathan’s hands tenderly slide up and down my back, and I savor the warmth in his embrace. We linger here, our lips meeting and tongues dancing. A blissful serenity washes over me and everything around us disappears. I’ve imagined this so many times, but the real thing surpasses anything my mind could’ve conjured up.
But the sound of the front door opening has Nathan jumping away from me. He puts space between us, turning to face the house.
Hudson walks toward us with a reel of Christmas lights dangling from his arms, his footsteps crunching loud on the icy path. “There you are. Nathan, you want to give me a hand with this?”
“No problem, your sister was just filling my truck with a bunch of Christmas Town nonsense.” Nathan’s tone is stilted, but Hudson doesn’t seem to notice.
“Ha, that I can believe,” Hudson laughs.
“Okay, I guess I’ll leave you two to it.” I step away from Nathan’s truck and head back toward the house, not sure if my feet are even touching the ground.
Five
Nathan
When we said our goodnights, I left Holly’s side slowly, savoring the moment. Warmth spread through me at the thought of her lips on mine. There’s something about Holly that is entirely irresistible. The memory of her sweet kiss swirled in my head for the rest of the night. It was the most amazing kiss of my life, and I have no idea how I am ever going to be able to look at her brother again.
The more I thought about her smile, the more I gained clarity. I realized that she’s been there all along. Back when we were kids, I couldn’t see it. But now Holly’s come into my world, and I can’t let her go.
