Page 98 of A Love Like Christmas Time
“Then let’s go,” I murmur, reaching for the last box of gingerbread.
“I need to eat something that’s not sweet, because I’ve eaten my way through this whole damn Christmas market and it’s really lacking some savory options.”
She keeps rambling about the food on the market, and all I can do is watch her walk beside me, her nose and cheeks red, her words turning into white puffs in front of her face.
My heart beats in my ribcage as if it wants to jump out, warmth spreading through every muscle as the realization settles, like a snowflake melting into my skin.
I love her.
I thought the realization would be scarier. But instead, it feels natural.
Being with her makes everything brighter. She makes everything ten times more fun than being on my own.
When I’m not with her, I catch myself thinking about her. And once that happens, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than by her side. Even if that means getting roped into a ridiculous gingerbread stall at the town’s Christmas market. Or building her bookshelves. I’d build her a thousand bookshelves if that meant I could spend time with her.
“Is everything okay?” Lauren glances up at me with a worried expression.
I stop her, set down the box, lean in and steal a kiss.
“Everything’s alright,” I whisper against her lips. “Better than alright.”
Chapter 37
Lauren
“Here you go.” I hand over the last gingerbread heart to a woman from out of town wearing the most beautiful pink scarf with white flowers. “Enjoy!”
“We’re officially sold out,” Caleb declares with a satisfied nod.
“Perfect timing, isn’t it?” I whisper and slide my arms around his middle, breathing a heavy sigh against his jacket. “The market ends in half an hour, anyway.”
It’s only late afternoon, and the sun is already setting, warm lights casting a warm, golden glow over the snow-covered festival.
“Let’s go!” Caleb reaches for my hand, and together we slowly trudge over the Christmas market. I’m acutely aware of the subtle stares everyone who lives in Wayward Hollow shoots our way, and I can’t help but grin, pretending I don’t notice them.
I let go of Caleb’s hand, only to hug his arm to my chest as we walk, beaming brighter than the street lights.
“What is it?” he asks, looking at me with an adorably confused expression.
“Nothing,” I reply, my grin so wide it’s about to split my face in two. “I just really like this.”
“The Christmas market?” He tilts his head, his eyebrows scrunching together in that really cute way as he thinks. “I guesswe could go visit the one in the next town over tomorrow. It’s running a day longer.”
I squeeze his arm. “Walking over it with you,” I clarify, and I could swear it brings the most adorable blush to his cheeks.
“Oh,” he says, rubbing his glove-clad palm over his face.
“Yeah,oh,” I tease him, then get on my tiptoes to press my lips against his cheek.
“God, you two are adorable,” Nic coos as we approach their booth. The crowd is slowly thinning out, with most booths already sold out of their merchandise.
But not Nic and Henry. Their dogs have infinite kisses to give.
“Come on, get over here! You two get doggie kisses on the house.” She giggles and beckons us closer.
“Perfect.” I let go of Caleb’s arm only to lace my fingers with his and pull him with me. “I want some kisses from my best boy.”
I approach Jensen Ackles, whose tail is already in helicopter mode the moment he hears my voice. “Hello, Wayward Hollow’s most handsome boy.” We come to a stop beside Jensen’s, and he completely ignores me. Instead, he immediately trots over to my boyfriend. “Hey!”
