Page 83 of Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal
I take a sip of my water and tilt my head as I look up at him. “That you’re sweet. That you’re goofy. That you and I seem like the same rambling person.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, that’s true.”
“That you’re sensitive, a good friend, someone who is welcoming to all.”
“I mean, I’m not going to steer you wrong on that.”
I chuckle. “You’re making it hard not to like you.”
His brows raise, and he leans in a little. “Are you saying... I’m not on your hate list?”
“I don’t have a hate list, but if I were to have a hate list, your name would not be on it.”
The smile that crosses his lips nearly makes me weak in the knees. Consider me almost fainting. What did they call it in historical times? Swooning?
Yup, I’m swooning.
“Well then, I think that’s cause for celebration.” He holds out his hand, and I stare down at it for a moment. When I don’t take it, he reaches for my hand and interlaces our fingers together.
Nervous, I ask, “What kind of celebration?”
“A true Kringle celebration.”
“What does that entail?”
“Well, you want to learn what this town is about, right?”
“Yes.” I nod.
“Then it’s time to experience it, but you have to give in to the entire experience. Think you can do that?”
I wet my lips, knowing if Uncle Dwight ever knew about this, he’d probably murder me, but then again, the temptation is real. I can always pass it off as research, getting close to the enemy. He doesn’t have to know it’s because I truly, desperately want to see Atlas smile again.
“And what constitutes the whole experience?”
He smirks. “Everything. Traditions, food, music, shopping... everything.”
I mull it over, giving it some thought, only for him to squeeze my hand.
“Come on. Say yes. I promise it will be fun.”
I have no doubt about that.
He’s a fun guy. I can see that already from the time I’ve spent with him.
“You know you want to,” he jokingly says, and he’s right.
I do.
I really do.
I oddly want to see where this night could take us. I want to learn about the Kringle traditions. I want to spend just a touch more time with him, even though Uncle Dwight would probably have a heart attack, but he’s not here.
It can’t hurt, right?
“Okay, yeah, let’s do it.”
A large smile stretches across his lips before he nods toward the sky and says, “Then look up.”
