Page 10 of Yule Love Me

This is bigger than both of us. I can’t make any kind of promise about staying the hell out of this. I’m in it and so is she.

It’s gonna be a mess but I’m not gonna force her to follow my plan. I bet by midday she’s ready to give in.

“I’ll see you later, Pet. Enjoy your day. Just lock up when you leave.”

And with that, I lean over and kiss her soft cheek, closing my eyes when I smell the scent of my soap on her.

She’s mine. She’s always been mine and she knows it. But the woman’s gonna make me work for it.

That’s okay. I like a good battle.

CHAPTER 7

Petra

Igroan and want to hit my head off the counter when I see Mrs. Dobson on her way in. The biggest gossip in town being on my doorstep on the day after I’m spotted naked in the yard with Jeremy?

Yeah, I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with that.

Her smile is so damn smug that I want to slam the door closed and lock it right in her face.

“Hello, Petra. How are you doing today after all your excitement?”

And there’s the first volley.

I nod my head and keep the smile on my face with an effort. “I’m good, Mrs. Dobson. Couldn’t be better in fact.”

The disbelief and false sympathy on her face makes me want to scream and run.

“Oh my dear. You must have been so cold out there with Jeremy with nothing on. It was very chilly last night.”

I want to grimace and grit my teeth. But I keep the smile in place, even though it’s looking a little strained. My lips tremble with the strain of keeping it going.

“I’m totally fine. Thank you for asking. Is there something that I can help you with this morning?”

She pauses and I can see the wheels turning in her head. She can’t admit that she just showed up here to wallow in my misery and get the gossip. Her rheumy eyes dart around and light on a glass pitcher that my parents accidentally bought for the gift shop three years ago and haven’t been able to unload.

“Oh, I have been looking for something just like this for my sister in law.”

Of course she has. She hates Myrtle and always has.

I rest my hand on my chin. “Really? You two are talking again?”

A mulish look crosses her face before she smiles. “Of course. We just had a little tiff. It’s all over. We’re family after all.”

I nod my head sagely as I pick up the pitcher to wrap. “Family is so important these days. Family and friends. A small town like ours lives and dies by our ties to our friends and family.”

“Yes,” she sighs and then hands me her card and takes the package. “I’m so glad that you understand why we have to look out for each other.”

“Of course.” Hypocritical b…. I smile as she walks out the door and then groan when Jeremy comes in when she walks out. The smug smile on his face makes me want to slug him.

“Did you enjoy your morning, Pet?”

“I have never seen such a bunch of hypocritical people in my life. Every single one of them hinting about our illicit tryst and telling me that I should make sure that you’re not using me to get back at my parents. So many fucking comments. So many damn people visiting me this morning looking for little bits of nothing.”

His lip curls. “Made some sales though, huh?”

Growling, I gnash my teeth. “It’s so damn ridiculous. I can’t believe that people don’t have more interesting things to talk about and think about.”

---