Page 52 of Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop

Chapter Sixteen

Rosie

The party was a hit.

To my surprise, after only being in Scotland for a week, I had a packed house at the bookshop.

Back home, I wouldn’t have been able to even think of enough acquaintances to invite to a party to make it this busy, and here it just all felt seamless and… easy. It wasn’t effortless, as it had taken a ton of work to get the windows ready for the competition, to rearrange the bookshop to my new designs, and to prepare for the party. But the welcoming of strangers into my shop and new home? Well, oddly enough, it felt just right.

For the party, we’d decided to open the shop up, and instead of the S design I had originally considered forday-to-day shopping needs, we’d pulled the bookshelves to either end of the shop, creating a larger space for mingling. In one corner we’d piled the floor poufs next to a real Christmas tree that filled the shop with the scent of pine. The tree was nestled in a pot, its roots protected, and would return to the tree farm after Christmas. I’d pulled any extra chairs I had to the sides of the room, creating various conversation spots for people to have a seat and chat. The disco unicorn had tinsel wrapped around its neck and a Santa hat on its head.

But it was the windows that really drew the eyes.

True to their word, the Book Bitches had leaned into the Under the Sea theme and had worked tirelessly to bring it together. The main window next to the door was their crowning achievement, with the two smaller windows continuing the theme but on a smaller scale.

Alexander had shown up almost every day to help.

Neither of us had mentioned the kiss.

But I thought about it. Every night, when I finally was alone for the day and curled into bed, nestled under the thick duvet, the exhaustion of a hard day of work creeping over me, I’d imagine his lips on mine.

It had become my favorite thing to fall asleep to.

Something had shifted for me that day. I’d gone from thinking he was just a Scottish hottie that I could make jokes with Jessica about wanting, to craving his nearness. I’d moved out of a general awareness of his nearness to a full-blown crush.

Which, of course, meant that my clumsiness around him had increased. I’d lucked out by not having a bruiseon my forehead from running straight into the door, but as I turned and almost knocked over a tray of shortbread cookies, I took a breath and steadied myself.

I hadn’t been prepared for Alexander in a kilt.

It was like when I played a video game and accessed a new level I hadn’t even known existed.

Alexander in his flannel and fitted jeans, climbing up ladders and hanging up lights, had been sexy. Alexander in a nubby gray sweater, with a kilt and thick-soled boots? Jessica would book a ticket on the spot if I sent her a photo of him. He’d gone from the friendly neighborhood bird nerd to the type of man that would turn heads on the street and stop conversations when he walked into a room.

“You’re staring.”

Jolting, I turned to glare down at Esther, who wore green velvet pants and a red sweatshirt that saidMerry Christmas Stud Puffinover a puffin with an elf hat on.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I had been staring as Alexander had helped a young girl clamber onto a floor pouf so she could better see the window.

“How’s that whole ‘just friends’ thing working out?”

“Fine. Why wouldn’t it be?”

Esther trilled a note in the back of her throat, and I realized I’d need to divert her before she leaned into a cross-examination. I wasn’t ready to talk about my feelings for Alexander. They were my little secret, something to be treasured in the dark, not brought out to the light of day. We’d both been clear that neither of us were ready orwilling to have a relationship, and one accidental kiss didn’t change that. At least from my understanding of things. He’d treated me with an easygoing air all week, friendly but not flirty, and I had to presume he’d also put the kiss behind him.

Compartmentalizing for the win. If only I had that ability.

Come to think about it, it seemed that everyone else in my life had that skill. My mom, my co-workers at the discount store who I hadn’t heard from, John. Everyone else in my life had seemed to find it quite easy to walk away from me.As if I’m inconsequential.Well, that was one way to look at things.But not tonight.

“Look, Esther. There’s Edina.” I subtly pointed out the woman who we’d set our sights on matching this evening. She’d just inched her way into the party, clutching her purse and looking like she was ready to bolt at any moment.

“Och, poor lass looks like a deer in headlights. On it.” Without a word, Esther barreled across the room and unceremoniously hooked an arm through Edina’s, dragging her through the crowd of people so she’d be unable to leave easily.

“I suppose that’s one way to do it,” I breathed.

Alone for a moment, I pulled out my phone and snapped a few photos of the party before slipping out front. I wanted to photograph the windows from the outside, particularly because they were lit so beautifully, and add it to my new Highland Hearts social mediapages.

---