Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“I thought you had to work,” she says.
“I switched shifts with Kurt. He doesn’t give a shit about the Christmas festival. He got tickets to see some rock band he’s obsessed with. They’re playing during his shift, so we switched. I’m working Wednesday and Thursday this week.”
“Well, in that case, we’d love to go to the festival with you.” Kelsie leans into my side, and I dip my head, inhaling her sweet scent. “Jordan is excited to see Santa.”
“Perfect.” I kiss the side of her temple. “It’s a date.” And hopefully an engagement…
“You’re going to what?” My mom shrieks—in excitement or disbelief, I’m not sure.
“You don’t think it’s too soon?” Sara questions.
After Sara and Beckett announced they were expecting a little boy, we sat down and enjoyed a delicious dinner—complete with my mom’s famous homemade stuffed shells and garlic bread. Once we were all stuffed, the girls asked if they could take Cinder outside to play, and I offered to do the dishes, so I could talk to my mom and Sara alone. If I have any chance of this all happening like I want, I’ll need them on board.
“Mom and Dad got engaged pretty quick,” I note, nodding toward my mom. “And even if they didn’t, I know Kelsie’s the one. I can feel it. Since the moment I laid eyes on her and Jordan, I knew one day they’d be mine to love and care for. I wasted so many years with the wrong woman, then allowed my stupidity in staying with her to make me bitter. I just want to be with Kelsie, and I don’t see why we need to wait.”
“Okay,” Sara says. “What do you need from us?”
I look at my mom, praying she’s on board. It won’t change anything for me if she’s not, but our family is close, so I’d prefer to have the support of my family.
“I’ve got your back,” Mom says. “Always.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
KELSIE
“Good evening. This call is to inform you that school will be closed tomorrow…”
I sigh in frustration as I listen to the rest of the voicemail. Apparently, there’s a snowstorm that’s expected to come through late tonight. Jordan’s school will be closed, which means the café will also be closed. I knew it was a possibility since it’s been talked about all week on the local news, but I was hoping the weather people were wrong—it wouldn’t be the first time.
“What’s wrong?” Pierce asks, making me jump. He grips the curves of my hips and tugs me gently toward him, framing the side of my face. “Who was that?” He nods toward the phone in my hand.
I pocket it and shake my head. “No school tomorrow due to the storm.”
“Snow day,” Pierce says. “Makes sense with the amount of snow expected to come in tonight. So, why do you look like someone ruined your favorite book?”
I chuckle at his analogy. He finds it amusing and intriguing how much I enjoy reading romance novels. On a few occasions, he’s even had me read him a few scenes, jokingly saying he was taking notes. Pierce doesn’t need to take notes, though, since he’s got the whole book boyfriend thing on lock. The guy puts half of the heroes I read to shame.
“Snow day means no work.” I shrug, trying to sound nonchalant since I hate the topic of money. Pierce has plenty, and I have none, but I don’t ever want him to feel like he needs to take care of me—despite his obvious want and need to do so.
“You know,” he says, pulling me even closer and dipping his face so his lips are near my ear. “There are perks to snow days.” He tugs gently on my earlobe then kisses the sensitive spot just under my ear.
“Like what?” I groan as a shiver races through my body, making Pierce chuckle.
“Like spending the morning in bed.”
“With a five-year-old? Not happ—”
“Mommy!” Jordan yells, cutting me off.
I turn around, expecting Pierce to let go of me. Instead, he pulls me toward him, so my back is flush against his chest, his chin resting on my shoulder.
“Mommy, Pierce, guess what?” Jordan asks, stopping in front of us, a massive grin splayed across her face.
“You ate so many s’mores you turned into a marshmallow,” Pierce deadpans.
After dinner, we went outside to sit around the bonfire and roast marshmallows. I was inside using the restroom when my phone rang with the call from the school.
“What? No, silly!” Jordan cackles. “Do I look like a marshmallow?” She spreads her arms to the side, and in her thick, white jacket, she kind of does.
“You look like a fluffy, white marshmallow,” Pierce taunts, letting go of me. He grabs Jordan by the waist and lifts her, carrying her over to the couch. Dropping her down gently, he starts tickling her. “I think we need to roast this marshmallow. What do you think, Kels?”