Page 103 of The Grump

We found the vendor selling sweetcorn quickly enough.

“Two pieces, please,” Xander said.

“This is so cool. I’ve never seen it here before,” I told the vendor.

He grinned. “It’s my first year. I can’t believe I nabbed a spot. Everyone told me that no one wants corn on Christmas, but my nan always cooked it when I was a kid. Figured there might be other people who’d enjoy it. I think I’ll run out before the evening’s over.”

“Good for you. Merry Christmas,” I said as he handed us each a piece of corn. After Xander paid him, we put salt on it and then quickly moved on.

“Mm, sweetcorn for me always tastes like summer,” I exclaimed as we ate quickly. The band had changed tunes, now singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” I truly liked their spin on it.

It wasn’t even sinking in yet that the confectionery would still go on. I couldn’t wait for Xander to tell me the changes he had in mind, but not tonight. It was Christmas Eve, and I wanted to enjoy the festivities.

When I looked up, I realized he was watching me with a grin. “When did you finish yours?”

“A few minutes ago, but you were so focused that you didn’t even notice.”

“I wanted to be thorough. Something you appreciate, right?” I teased.

“Very, very much.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

He put his hand on my face, cupping my cheek. “Fucking hell, woman. You don’t know how afraid I’ve been today of losing you.” His raw honesty caught me by complete surprise. “Ron called me after he left the confectionery, and when I realized what was going on, I went insane from fear, and I don’t say that lightly. I’ve never been afraid of anything in my life. I’m usually able to think through logically, lay out options, and not panic. But in that moment, all I could think was ‘I can’t lose this woman. I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.’”

I smiled from ear to ear, then tossed the corn cob in the trash can and walked right into his arms, wrapping mine around his torso. “I love everything you’re saying. And I can’t believe I’m getting this super heartfelt confession on Christmas Eve here at the bonfire, of all places.”

He put one palm on my lower back and the other one on my nape. “I want to be open with you, Bailey, always. There’s another thing you taught me: how to wear your heart on your sleeve.”

I straightened up, looking at him. “You know, I’m so proud of that.”

Xander drew his head back, laughing. The sound reverberated all around me. It felt like a physical hug. “Woman, you’re something else, and I’m so damn proud to be your man.”

“Music to my ears.” Grinning, I looked down at the half-empty basket I was carrying.

“I’ll just drop these off by the small gift station they’ve set up so they can distribute everything to kids in need.”

“Sure, let’s go.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Xander

The gift station was a small wooden cabin far away from the main square. It had no windows.

“Why is it empty?” I inquired.

“Most vendors drop off whatever is left after the celebration is over. No one usually leaves this early.”

After Bailey put the basket on a table, I turned her around, kissing her deeply.

“Xander,” she murmured. “I just ate corn. Let me pop a praline.”

“You’re delicious no matter what, Bailey.”

I unbuttoned her coat, putting my hands on her waist. She instantly softened against me. Kissing her again, I walked her backward until we rested against a wall, then deepened the kiss until she rewarded me with a moan.

“I need you, Bailey. Right now.”

She gasped but didn’t protest. Instead, she tipped her head back, humming. I kissed down the front of her neck, pushing her jacket out of the way.

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