Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 34941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
When I'm done and go out to find him, I come to a stop in the dining room, looking at the chaos the earlier fight caused. God, was that really only two hours ago? The guilt tries to creep back in, but I squash it down. Danny can't hurt me anymore.
At least I think he can't.
Trying to keep myself in the holiday spirit, I leave the house and find Nathan pulling the Wagoneer out of the garage for us. He gets out to greet me with a thorough kiss that leaves us both breathless and then opens the passenger door for me.
"So, what's at this farmer's market?" I ask. "We have a lot of food here."
"True, but nothing's local. And the best part is that all the profits go to the Children's Hospital."
"Oh, that's perfect! We're going to have a great meal. I'm not the best cook, but I'm sure we can look up some videos."
He chuckles. "Whatever you say, baby."
The drive seems much shorter in the daytime when it isn't storming like the world is going to end. The market is lively and festive, full of people and the scent of fresh pine and spices. There's hot apple cider and baked goods and music and people milling around, talking and laughing and admiring the lights.
"I've never been here before," I confess as we stop at a booth selling hand-knit scarves.
"It's always fun. And, well, I haven't been to this one in a while," Nathan adds, looking a bit sheepish. "Usually I'm skiing with my friends at this time of year."
"Do you still ski?"
"A little. I prefer snowboarding."
"You seem the type," I tease, and he laughs.
We move on and find some handmade ornaments that we both agree are adorable. Nathan insists on buying me a few, and I don't argue. After the ornament stall is a jewelry booth. While I'm looking at a pair of dangly silver earrings with tiny little bells hanging from the end, Nathan wanders off. I don't see him for a moment, and I frown, trying to find him in the crowd.
He reappears like he never left, a small bag in hand. I want to ask about his secretive purchase, but when I try to, he silences me with a kiss, cupping the back of my neck possessively.
"Just a little something," he murmurs, his nose brushing mine, "to remember this Christmas."
"I could never forget."
We spend the next couple of hours at the farmer's market, eating and picking out some gifts for my mom and grandma. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm starting to get tired. Nathan picks up on it quickly.
"How about we get home and put on a movie?"
"Sounds good," I admit.
We get in the Jeep and head home. Once we're there, I set up a tray of popcorn, and Nathan makes us some cocoa while I find a good movie. We decide on Love Actually and snuggle together under a blanket.
It's the most domestic, perfect Christmas Eve I've ever had, and I fall asleep halfway through the movie, tucked under Nathan's arm.
7
NOELLE
At some point, I ended up in Nathan's enormous bed, cuddled up to him like he's the world's biggest heated blanket. I slept better than I think I have in years and woke up before Nathan in a total opposite to yesterday.
We're in California, so I don't expect a white Christmas, but at least the sun is shining. I eventually figure out the French press, and by that point, Nathan has woken up and joined me in the kitchen.
"Merry Christmas," he tells me, leaning down for a kiss.
"Merry Christmas." I beam at him. "Now, are you hungry? Because I’m starving."
"Actually, I'm going for a run first." Nathan takes I step back, and I notice that instead of pajama pants, he's shirtless and in a pair of black running shorts, muscular thighs on display. Now I'm hungry in an entirely different way.
"A run?"
"Yeah." He grins at me, stretching. "But I'll take you up on that offer when I get back. Make yourself at home, sweetheart, I won't be long."
And he's gone, leaving me wondering if his idea of 'won't be long' is the same as mine.
I decide to use his absence to shower and go back upstairs after I'm dry and smelling like Nathan's soap and shampoo.
I can't believe it's Christmas already. It's so different being in a house alone with him, and I'm not sure what to do. It doesn't feel real.
I know we have the whole day ahead of us, and we can just...spend it together. The thought of it makes my stomach squirm with anticipation and excitement. I've never been alone with someone before, let alone for the holidays.
I'm not sure what to do first, and I end up standing in front of the large windows overlooking the front yard, looking out at the driveway.