Page 75 of Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop

Whether he knew it or not, Alexander was an integral part of this community, and the Book Bitches had even managed to bully him into letting them meet Tattie. Much to his horror, they were now threateningto hold their book club meeting at his house every Thursday night, just so they could check on the little puffin.

But he had made a fresh loaf of bread and homemade soup when they’d come by.

How any woman could have hurt this poor man’s heart was beyond me.

“What’s it going to be for the last one?” Esther demanded, referring back to her whiteboard. “Narnia might be fun.”

“I really like theAlice in Wonderlandidea. It could be fun to dress all the characters in Christmas outfits instead of their usual. Think of the Cheshire cat with a Christmas bow tie,” I said. I could identify a bit with Alice, I supposed, going down the rabbit hole into an entirely new existence. Alexander gave me an approving smile, and I warmed inside. That happened pretty much every time I looked at him.

“I think it would be a lot of fun,” Meredith agreed.

“I don’t hate it,” Esther admitted, which was high praise from her.

“All in?” I looked around and everyone nodded. “Esther, will you draw this one up?”

“Of course, I’ll get on it right now.”

The rest of the ladies cleared out and Alexander helped me take the cups to the kitchen. I had to open soon, and I knew he had some end of term paperwork to deal with for work.

“Hey,” Alexander said, wrapping his hands around me from behind at the sink, nuzzling his face into my neck. “What are you doing for Christmas?”

“Oh. I don’t have any plans. Probably just watching Christmas movies here.” I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t given much thought to how I would spend Christmas, but I never had been one to make a big deal of the holiday. With a non-traditional mother who barely remembered my birthday, it wasn’t like I’d grown up with the usual Christmas routine of presents under the tree.

“Would you like to do that at my place? Tattie mentioned he has a gift for you.”

Wiping my hands on a cloth, I turned in his arms.

“Is that right? Tattie has a gift for me?”

“He does.”

“Not his father?”

“Me? I mean…” Alexander bit his lower lip, holding back a laugh, and I grinned.

“You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“I know. I just…” He looked around to make sure Esther wasn’t going to pop her head in and interrupt us. “I’ve been thinking a lot about us.”

“Is that right?” A thrill of excitement tugged at my heart. “And what have you been thinking?”

“That I like you.”

A smile split my face. “Well, I like you too, Alexander.”

“I mean more than that. More than our arrangement.” His look grew serious, and I stilled, tilting my head in question.

“I didn’t think I’d ever be here again, Rosie. Truly. And I know it seems a little fast, but I’m just … I don’t know.” Alexander shook his head and laughed. “Ifeel good, you ken? About us. I feel like this is right. I don’t want to dance around and pretend like I don’t or keep it to just friends with benefits.”

“What are you saying?” I asked, my heart thumping in my chest.

“It’s wild to me, that I’ve been so resistant to even the possibility of dating. And then suddenly, poof! There you are and now you’re all I can think about. I want this to be real. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Partners. A couple. However you want to say it.” Alexander looked at me hopefully.

“Well, sir,” I said, surprised to find I was equally as thrilled at his words. “As an early Christmas gift to you, I will say yes. Yes, I will be your partner.”

Alexander sealed it with a kiss so hot that I almost forgot Esther was there until she called out.

“Do you need me to leave? I’m getting all heated just from the fumes off you two.”

---