Page 26 of Santa Loves Curvy Girls

After a minute, we pulled apart, and I felt him tugging his beard back on. Slowly, I blinked opened my eyes.

I had no idea who this boy was, but one thing was for sure. I’d never think about Christmas again without thinking of him.

15

NICK

The next day, I was on cloud nine.

It felt like I was walking on water, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Belle. Her soft lips. The way she closed her eyes and pulled my beard aside.

Wow.

I’d been shoveling snow for the past hour like it was nothing.

I couldn’t wait to see her again, probably at work. I wondered if asking her out again would be too soon.

Or too risky.

At the end of the day, I wasn’t supposed to let anyone know who I was. That was part of the deal. But she was getting dangerously close to finding out.

Would I really stop her if she asked? I had no idea.

To be honest, I wanted her to know. I wanted her to see the real me, now that things were happening between us. It only felt right.

I kept shoveling, feeling sort of torn inside and hoping it was okay if I ended up breaking the rules. No one had to know but us.

Right?

A lone car drove past, and I gave one of the neighbors a wave.

I leaned against my shovel, taking a rest and replaying all of the times spent with Belle. How had I never realized how great she was?

A couple of people all bundled up walked past on the opposite sidewalk, with their dog leading the way.

It was cold out, and a fresh layer of snow from last night covered the ground.

Which was why I was out here shoveling again.

By the time I finished our driveway and got going on the neighbor’s driveway, I was exhausted. Just as I was about to go back inside, I spotted a familiar figure coming my way.

Was that really…

Belle.

Getting ready to walk past me.

“Hey!” I said, then I realized there was no way she would know why I was talking to her. And that she’d recognize my voice. I cleared my throat and made myself speak a little deeper. “Hey, good morning!”

As she approached me on the sidewalk, her face went from surprise to confusion to polite friendliness.

She definitely didn’t recognize me.

“Good morning,” she called, coming to a stop near me.

I stood, leaning on my shovel. “Belle, right?” I asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

She nodded. “That’s right. We’re in the same grade, I think.”

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