Page 6 of Dad Bod Book Boyfriend for Christmas

“I know I said to meet at Fiona’s hot chocolate stand, but since my family left, I figured it was safe to meet you here.” He flashes a smile, his eyes alight with a determination I wouldn’t dream of defying.

I lock the shutter and side entrance of the little wooden hut I rented for this evening, and Jake hands me one of the hot chocolates.

“Apple and cinnamon. How did you know?” I inhale the seasonal scents I love, knowing the taste explosion is about to send me to hot chocolate heaven.

“Christy mentioned it last year,” he says, sipping his hot chocolate.

“And you remembered?” I ask, surprised he held onto such a minor detail. Warmth spreads through me, both from the drink and his thoughtfulness.

He holds my gaze for a long moment. “Yes,” he replies softly, his eyes never leaving mine.

My cheeks flush as we stroll through the fair. Around us, food and drink stalls offer holiday treats: gourmet burgers, steaming pizza slices, gingerbread-flavored donuts, and cotton candy in festive colors. The scent of roasting chestnuts and caramel fills the air, blending with the cheerful notes of a Christmas carol playing nearby.

“I thought we could go on the Ferris wheel,” Jake suggests, his fingers lacing through mine as he tugs me gently toward the line.

I squeeze his hand, warmth spreading from his touch, even through my gloves.

The creaking of the passenger cars has me wondering how safe it is, but as we get closer to the front and see how many people alight the ride with huge smiles, I figure it can’t be that bad.

Once we reach the front, Jake guides me into the passenger car, and I slide into the seat, fastening the belt. He settles beside me, and we start to rise, the hum of the Ferris wheel blending with the soft jingle of sleigh bells in the background.

“So, how did it go tonight at your stall?” he asks.

We fall into easy conversation about my small business, Custom Cuties, and the little successes I’ve had so far. I tell him about Chops and the other orders I received tonight.

“How about you? How’s work?” I ask, turning to see his face lit by the holiday lights around us.

Jake raises his eyebrows, a grin breaking across his face. “It’s going okay, but if I’m being honest, I’m ready for a bit of achange.” He shrugs, then gestures through the bars of the Ferris wheel car. “Look.”

I follow his gaze and gasp as the view unfolds. The square below is lit with Christmas lights, casting a vibrant, magical glow over the snow-covered stalls and pathways. Strings of lights drape across rooftops, and wreaths twinkle from every lamppost, creating a holiday scene from a postcard.

“Wow,” I murmur. “They always look beautiful, but from up here, it’s… picture perfect.”

When I turn back, I catch Jake snapping a photo on his phone. I blush, smiling as he looks up, clearly as caught in the moment as I am.

Jake

Riley is so beautiful that my breath catches. When she turns to look at me, her eyes wide with wonder at the view, I raise my phone, snapping a photo to capture this moment. Her cheeks are flushed from the cold, her eyes bright beneath the glow of Christmas lights as she takes in the sights like she’s seeing them for the first time.

“Haven’t you been on the Ferris wheel before?” I ask, trying to keep my tone casual, though my heart pounds. “It’s here every year.”

She shakes her head softly, her lips curving into a shy smile. “I’m not a huge fan of heights.”

“Oh, God.” A wave of guilt crashes over me as I realize what I’ve done. I can’t believe I didn’t know this. How could I be so insensitive as to bring her on a Ferris wheel on our first date when she doesn’t like heights? “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

“It’s okay,” she reassures me, her voice gentle. “It’s not a full-on phobia or anything. But I’m more comfortable when my feet are on the ground.” She gives me a slow, pretty smile that lights up her dimples, making her look even more adorable. The sight softens my heart in a way I didn’t expect, filling me with warmth.

“So, you said Christy signed you up to the Book Boyfriend Dating Agency…” I trail off, waiting for her to confirm.

“Yeah,” she replies, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “She wants me to have a great romance or something—like your brother.”

“Is that what you want?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light while my heart thrums with hope. I need to know if there’s a chance, if she’s open to the idea of us becoming something real.

“Isn’t it what everyone wants?” Her gaze drifts over the stalls below as the Ferris wheel slowly begins to turn again, pausing as couples step off and new pairs get on. “The kind of love that sticks. The kind you don’t see coming but can’t imagine living without.”

My chest tightens as I watch her. “It’s what I want,” I admit quietly, feeling exposed. “But I figured it only happens once, and it already happened to Carter.”

“That’s what I thought,” she says softly, her voice tinged with something deeper. “But then you matched with me, and… it got me wondering.”

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