Page 42 of Christmas for Keeps

I waiteduntil Con disappeared into the coffee shop before I crossed back to the opposite side of the street. The Latte Oasis always had a line, which should buy me some time. I didn’t want him to see me heading back to Liz’s place.

She was surprised to see me. “You’re back already. I thought it would be tomorrow.”

“I said I needed to pick up art supplies and sent him to the Latte Oasis. Who knows what we’ll be doing tomorrow?”

She took a package from under the counter, and Kerry joined us while I paid. “Connor isgorgeous,” she said. “You look so good together.”

My heart leapt, and I nodded. “His looks are only the tip of the iceberg. Con’s amazing in every way.”

Liz handed me my package. “He’ll love this, but not nearly as much as he loves you. You two don’t have sparks flying. They’re fireworks.”

Kerry gave me my receipt. “He said you’ve known each other since college?”

“That’s right. We were boyfriends for about four years, but then things happened, and—”

Liz stopped me with a hand on my arm. “We need to let him go, Kerry. He’s got a time limit if he wants to keep this present a secret.” She shifted her gaze to me. “Maybe you two could come over for dinner before he goes back to Boston? You could tell us your story then if you want to.”

“That sounds great. Just let us know when.” I looked out the window, hoping Con was still in line for coffee.

“Go,” Kerry said, patting my back. “We’ll see you next week.”

I hurried back to the SUV and hid the package, then walked back to the coffee shop. Con was next in line to order, so I joined him.

“Hey, sweetie.” He reached for my hand. “Where are your supplies?”

“I took them to the Land Cruiser before I came here. The store’s down that way.”

“Didn’t you go to Montpelier for art supplies on the day of the blizzard?”

Fuck! Why didn’t I come up with a better excuse?Trying to keep my expression innocent, I said, “That’s right. I buy some things from a store here, and what they don’t have, I get in Montpelier.” Fortunately, the person in front of us moved on, and it was Con’s turn to order.

We sipped our coffee on the walk to the SUV. When we were buckled in, I looked at him while I started the engine. “The grocery store will be really crowded. Ready for it?”

“If I’m with you, I don’t care if it takes all afternoon. Let’s go.”

Con had never heard of the Prize Pantry chain, but he must have been the only one in a fifty-mile radius. It seemed like everyone in Lamoille County was there. Failing to find a parking spot, I decided to camp out near the store’s entrance, and we eventually followed a couple to their car. The wind had picked up, and Con and I pulled our coats tight as we hurried inside.

While we waited for someone to return a cart, Con looked around in amazement. “This is something else,” he said. “I can’t recall ever setting foot in such a packed grocery store. Is this the only one in town?”

I drew circles on the sleeve of his coat. “No, there are a few, but it’s the holidays. Skiing is big in Stowe, and a lot of people have vacation houses here. Others rent places and come for the week.”

“That makes sense. Is it exciting here?”

Visions of living together raced through my mind, and if that dream became a reality, I’d be the happiest guy on earth. “It’s exciting because we’re surrounded by so much nature. Wait until we hike to the top of Mount Mansfield. It’s Vermont’s highest peak, about ten miles from my place.”Hopefullyourplace.The idea took my breath away, and I paused to center myself. Con waited with a wide smile on his face, and after a moment, I continued. “Sometimes it’s really busy, like now, but other times, it’s wonderfully quiet. I think you’ll like it both ways.”

He nodded. “I can’t wait to experience it.”

Did that mean…? Christ, if I’m not careful, I’ll say something stupid and scare him away. This is a talk we need to have at the right time, and standing in the entrance of the Prize Pantry is not it.

Someone returned a cart, and Con and I strolled through the produce section. The aisles were clogged with other shoppers as well as store employees restocking shelves, so it was slow going. We finally escaped into the deli area, but the line there was so long we agreed to forget the sliced ham and roast beef on our list.

As we inched our way down the aisles, Con let out a huff. “I know I said I didn’t mind if this took all afternoon, but it’s nuts in here. I’d much rather be home because I can think of far more interesting ways we could spend our time.”

Heat spread up my chest and prickled my cheeks and ears. “‘Interesting’ may not be exactly the right word.”

“What is, then?”

“Hm.” My dick twitched, making it hard to think, but I forced myself to focus. As crowded as the store was, someone would notice if I got hard right now. “Salacious? Erotic? Lustful or hot?” I licked my lips because my vocabulary exercise was not extinguishing the fire that was spreading through me. “Loving.” Leaning close, I whispered, “That’s the most important word, because every thrust is me saying, ‘I love you.’”

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