Page 89 of Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop

Alexander had showed up.

My heart fell off the ledge and completely in love with him. “Did you make these?”

“I did.”

I took a bite and moaned around them. “I love you.”

“Are you saying that to the cookie or me?”

I grinned around a mouthful of deliciousness. As soon as I’d said it, everything had clicked into place for me.

“I loveyouand I love these cookies,” I amended.

“I love you too,” Alexander said, leaning over to slant his lips across mine. I heard rustling and broke the kiss to see his hand in the Tupperware.

“Are you stealing a cookie during ourI love youkiss?” I demanded, my mouth dropping open.

“Guilty.” He shot me a cheeky grin, took a bite, and then opened the laptop he’d pulled from the bag. Settling back against the pillows, he flipped it open. “Ready for aLord of the Ringsmarathon?”

Yup, this man had my heart. Through and through. Grinning, I snuggled down, the pain and aches forgotten.

“Hey,” I said, drawing his eyes back to mine.

“Aye, lass?”

Damn it, that got me every time. Desire pooled low, even though there wasn’t much to be done about it in this moment. Snuggling closer, I grinned up at him.

“I puffin love you.”

Alexander threw his head back and laughed.

“I should find that annoying, yet I don’t. I don’t at all. I puffin love you too, Rosie.”

Epilogue

Alexander

The puffin puns had taken on a life of their own.

“You realize you’re all out of control, right?” I said, hands on hips, scanning the group in my living room.

I was having a party of sorts.

Which surprised even me, to be honest, but once word had gotten out that I was getting close to introducing the rescued puffin to Tattie, everyone wanted to come see. I allowed it on one condition, that they stayed inside and watched from the living room windows so as not to frighten the birds on their first meeting.

It had been several weeks since Rosie’s fall and she was limping along, albeit slowly. The sprain had been a particularly bad one, and she’d spent the last few weekssitting on a chair in the shop with her foot up while the Book Bitches had free rein with running the place. Even though she complained about it at times, I think Rosie secretly loved the company.

“Feeling left out?” Esther handed me a bag and I closed my eyes briefly.

I had to open my fat mouth, hadn’t I?

Sighing, I dug in the bag and pulled out a black jumper with two puffins frolicking on the front.

“Double or puffin.” Damn it, but it was perfect. Sighing, I shook my head but then shot the Book Bitches a grin. “I hate how much I like this. It’s perfect for the occasion.”

“See, Cherise? Told ya he’d love it.” Esther held out her hand and Cherise slapped some money into it, shooting me a glare.

Whoops. Grinning, I pulled the jumper over my head and turned to the room. It was more than just the Book Bitches who had joined us. Gregory, an honorary Book Bitch, was there, as were Harper, Reed, and Esther’s flame, Daniel. Sarah, one of Rosie’s recent successful matches, was here with her two children, though her new boyfriend was at work today.

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