Page 142 of Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal
“He did,” I say as I take her hand in mine. “But he did warn me that you seem to be on the naughty list after sitting on my face.”
Her eyes widen, and she pokes me in the side, making me laugh. “You did not tell him that, did you?”
“No, but I did saybonerin front of Florence, and let’s just say, it’s her new favorite word.”
Betty covers her mouth with her hand. “Oh my God, why did you say that in front of her?”
“Cole made it seem like I could say whatever I wanted and she wouldn’t retain anything, so I was telling him about how huge you made my boner, and she repeated it.”
“First of all, what is wrong with you? Why would you talk about that?”
“It was impressive, was it not?”
Her smile tells me everything I need to know. “Doesn’t matter if it was impressive. You should keep that stuff between you and me. Also, don’t talk about boners in front of children. Dear God, Atlas.”
“Yeah, I see where I made a mistake. I apologized a lot, but Cole still wants to murder me.”
“Because his baby girl is sayingboner.”
I chuckle and then lean in close. “Honestly, it was hard to control my laughter. I went into the bathroom after it happened to change for our date, and I couldn’t stop chuckling. I almost had to punch myself to get rid of the giggles.”
“And here I am, ready to go on a date with you. There might be something wrong with me.”
“Nah, you’re making all the right choices.” But just to be safe, I tug her toward the antique store so she can’t change her mind. “How was your thinking session?”
“Could have been better,” she admits.
“Why? Couldn’t stop thinking about me?” I obnoxiously bat my lashes at her.
“Actually, yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and please don’t make a big deal about it, okay?”
“As if I’d make a big deal about something like that.”
“Atlas,” she deadpans. “You were just making a big deal about your boner. You make big deals about everything.”
“Uh, because that boner was the size of a log.”
She pauses our stride and turns toward me. “You know what? I don’t think I can do this.” She lets go of my hand, and before she can even move, I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her into my chest, making her laugh.
Whispering into her ear, I say, “I know it’s intimidating, babe, but it will fit.”
“Oh my God, I really can’t stand you right now.” She laughs as I kiss her neck. She turns and loops her arms around my neck as we stand on the edge of Ornament Park. She pulls me down and kisses me on the mouth, letting her lips part and teasing me so goddamn hard that it takes me a second to steady myself when she pulls away. Whispering, she says, “It might have been a log, but I’m the one who knows how to make said log grow, so don’t forget that.”
“Babe,” I say in a daze. “Trust me, I’ll never be forgetting that.”
Then I take her hand, and we cross the street together.
Subtly, over the town speakers, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Mel Torme plays in the background while families and couples walk out of the Polar Freeze, heading right to Santa’s house. The faux gas streetlamps are lit up, and there’s a briskness in the air and not a cloud in sight as stars glitter above us.
It’s the perfect night in Kringle with the fresh snow still covering the trees and the colored lights bouncing off the white of the snow. We couldn’t have asked for a better evening.
“Where are we headed?” she asks, pulling me in close.
“Antlers Antiques. Thought it might give you some inspiration for your cottages.”
