Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
We make our way across the slippery street. Eric’s palm rests on my lower back as he guides me to the other side. It’s warm where he touches me, reminding me of earlier when his bare hands were on me.
That was nice. Really nice.
And really messed up for me to enjoy it so much.
I’m grateful he made me change, though, because comfort is winning out over cute now that the weather is getting worse. It’s cold and the snow keeps heavily falling.
Main Street this time of year comes alive with wonderful Christmas vibes. The outside of the shops and businesses are all similar in the way that they have faux-snow painted windows, white blinking lights, and green tree wreathes on their doors. But, inside each business, they’re allowed to decorate in ways that represent their personalities and whatever they sell or offer.
I’m most excited to visit the bookstore, Smoke & Sugar, and the soap shop Mom loves so much. They’re always the most creative and my favorites by far.
The first business we go to is an insurance place. As soon as a guy behind a desk greets us, I recognize him.
“Kevin?”
Tyler and Kevin are also known as the beer bros at Moonlit Gables townhomes where we live. I’m so used to seeing them wasted or hungover that it’s strange to see Kevin wearing a dress shirt and tie. He cleans up well.
“Hey, neighbor,” Kevin says with a wide grin. “Need insurance?”
I snort out a laugh. “Nah, I’m good. Came to check out your decorations and see if you had any door prizes we could enter to win. Also, I didn’t know you sold insurance.”
“My stepdad, Monty, is Chamber of Commerce prez this year. They have him all over the place for this Christmas Extravaganza. Since he funds me and Ty’s life without too much bitching, I figured I’d do him a solid and hold down the fort.” His gaze darts over to Eric. “Who’s your new man?”
Eric strides over to him and offers a firm handshake. “I’m Eric. Pleased to meet you.”
I’m a little startled he didn’t introduce himself as my stepbrother, letting Kevin assume he’s my man. A flutter of excitement pulses in my lower belly. It’s a forbidden heat I have no business feeling, and yet I savor it anyway.
“Right on, dude,” Kevin says and gestures to a round table with a plate of cookies and some slips of paper. “Monty’s giving away a huge insurance discount. You don’t have to be an existing customer to enter.”
We both complete the form and then help ourselves to a cookie while we admire Monty’s decorations. He’s gone with a sleek green and silver theme. Lots and lots of slim, undecorated trees and realistic-looking icicles. It’s masculine and clean. Not exactly my favorite decorating style, but it’s still lovely.
“Stop by our place. We’ve been doing our annual Twelve Days of Beermas. Got some cool shit we made.” Kevin holds up his fist for me to bump. Then, he shakes Eric’s hand again. “Hope to see you around, man. Clara’s fucking awesome. She deserves someone good who takes her on a date to the insurance company.”
We laugh and then make our way outside. It feels colder than before. I’m grateful when Eric pulls me to his side. He’s warm and I fit perfectly there.
“Twelve Days of Beermas?” Eric asks with a chuckle. “Sounds interesting.”
“More like obnoxious,” I say with a shake of my head. “They have a huge advent-style wood contraption with doors they reveal their beloved beer from. It’s kind of insane.”
We make our way through several more businesses and shops, marveling over their creative ways to make themselves stand out. As the day progresses, more and more people show up on Main Street, and it gets crowded. Soon, to stay together, I have to cling to Eric’s arm while he makes his way through throngs of people. I continue to cling to him, even when we go inside a fairly empty gift shop that smells like apple cider.
“I need to get Mom something,” I tell him, pointing to cute dishes arranged on a festively decorated table. “You think she’d like a new cake stand? This one is adorable.”
An elderly woman hobbles over to us, her cane clutched in her arthritic-gnarled hand. “Looking for something in particular?”
“I like the cake stand. Beautiful, scalloped edges.”
“A local hand makes this whole line,” the woman reveals. She taps a crooked, bony finger at my hand. “When he makes an honest woman out of you, you can register for anything in the store.”
It takes a minute for me to realize she means a wedding registry.
“Oh,” I start, meaning to correct her, but get cut off as she continues.
“I had the cutest gay couple register most recently. Quite an age gap, those two, but they were most definitely in love. The youngster, Mr. Valentine, registered for this very item.”