Page 35 of Promise Yule Be Mine
"Nova here was telling me what a superstar I am," Emerson said.
Arlo raised his eyebrows at Nova. "Are you trying to steal my man, Nova?"
Nova gasped and after a moment shook his head emphatically. "Oh gee, no. Definitely not. Trust me. I'm just a big fan."
Both Arlo and Emerson laughed.
"Relax. I was kidding. I know he's only got eyes for me anyway," Arlo said and leaned forward to plant a kiss on his boyfriend's lips.
"That's why I'm marrying you," Emerson replied, grinning from ear to ear.
My guts took a tumble of a different kind.
They were so lucky to have each other. Why couldn't I have been this lucky? Why couldn't I have what they had? I wanted what Arlo and Emerson had. What Josh and Meredith had. What so many couples in this town had. But I reminded myself for the hundredth time that I wasn't like other guys and that love and happiness was out of my purview.
That was why I'd agreed to Jenna's wild idea. That was why this wedding was happening.
"Wait, you guys are getting married? No way. When? Do you need a wedding planner? I'll do it for free for E.S. Maxwell." Nova jumped on the spot, unable to contain his excitement, and I wouldn't have wanted him to, either.
"You are? Oh wow. We should talk," Emerson said.
Before he'd even finished his sentence, Nova had procured a card from his pocket and handed it to his favorite author.
"Thanks. We'll definitely be in touch," Emerson said and Arlo nodded. "Now, did you want a signed copy?"
Nova put his hand up and dug into his tote bag.
"Actually, I've already got one. Would you mind signing it?"
"Not at all," Emerson said, taking it from him and putting his signature and a dedication on Nova's well-worn copy.
A few moments later, and a few signed books later, we sat down and Emerson read from his next book, which had yet to be published. Nova had the biggest smile the whole time and it was absolutely infectious.
It was so cute he got so excited by something so simple as books, although there was nothing simple about books. I picked up a book from time to time, but seeing how excited it made Nova, I was tempted to get a book tonight just so I could share in his joy.
By the time Emerson finished I made sure to purchase the first book of the series, the same book Nova had and got it signed too, even if he was a local author.
“So…what do we have to do to get a free wedding? Write a book?” I asked him as I turned around to leave, but I bumped into another familiar face.
Nova blushed and looked at my friend.
"Milo!" I said.
The chocolatier gave me a brief hug and smiled at Nova. "Hey guys. What are you up to?" he asked.
Nova took over telling him about Emerson's exclusive reading and how he'd missed it and how excited he was for the next chapter and after a few moments, a smile crept across Milo's face and his gaze darted back and forth between Nova and me.
"Wow. Now I'm bummed I missed it."
"As you should be," Emerson told him. I laughed.
Milo grimaced and walked around us to apologize and chat to Emerson.
"Excuse me," said someone before we could make our escape from the book store.
It was a young man in a checkered shirt open enough to show his hirsute and dark skin underneath. He had big black eyes, a messy pomp and a kind smile.
"Hi," I said.
