Page 11 of Yours to Ho Ho Hold
I sit up in a rush. “What are you talking about? You didn’t win. We tied, so the bet’s off—”
He holds up a hand to silence me. “I think the verdict is still out about that, and I plan on proving it to you.”
I narrow my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means we’re stuck here for the next twenty-four hours, whether we like it or not.” He gestures to the window revealing a quaint scene of shops, horse-drawn carriages, and twinkling Christmas lights. It looks like a picture you’d find on a puzzle or a Christmas card.
“And?”
“And why waste it? We can either sit here and maul each other in our sleep …” He shoots me a glare. “Or we can have a little fun and make the most of it.” He tosses my book, and it lands beside me. “How about this? If you still feel like you hate Christmas after today, I’ll leave you alone. I won’t ask you for your number. I won’t even stalk you on social media.”
“I don’t have social med—”
He holds up a hand again. “But if you do have a change of heart, then you give me your number and a fair chance to woo you.”
“I don’t date.”
“Yet,” he corrects with a pointed stare. “So, what do you say? Is it a bet or what?”
I bite my lip and roll my eyes. “I hope you enjoy losing. I don’t plan on making it easy on you.”
As he laughs, his mouth pulls into a cocky smirk. “Trust me, Ebenezer. I wouldn’t dream of it, but I think I’m up for the challenge.”
ChapterFive
Drew
“This iswhat you call fun? I could have googled the picture and saved us the trouble of waiting in line.”
We stare up at the giant candy cane sculpture as snow begins to fall around us.
I reach for Holly’s mitten-covered hand, but she pulls it away and shoves it in the pocket of her bright red wool coat. The very same red she wears on her lips and my new favorite color.
“You said if I got you that chocolate chip muffin, you wouldn’t complain.” I nudge her with my elbow, and she takes a step away so I can’t reach her, but I only move closer. She’s not getting away from me that easily.
“I’m not complaining, just stating facts. Are we done here?” She turns to face me. She looks so fucking cute all wrapped up in her fuzzy hat and scarf that are so large there’s barely room for her face. Her nose is pink from the cold air, and I want to reach out and touch it. I want to pull her into me and hold her, breathe in her sweet scent of vanilla and sugar … see if she tastes as good as she smells …
But I have a feeling she wouldn’t like that very much, considering she makes a point to tell me every chance she gets.
It’s not that she doesn’t find me attractive, trust me, I know when a woman is into me, and Holly Shepherd is definitely into me. Maybe not as much as I’m into her, but I don’t think that’s actually possible, considering I’m crushing on her harder than I ever thought possible. She’s my actual dream girl, right down to her snarky, sarcastic attitude, her quick witty retorts, and the secret soft spot she’s yet to reveal, but I know is in there somewhere. She’s walking around with my balls in a death grip, and she doesn’t even know it.
“Name three things about the sculpture you love.” I shove my ungloved hands into my pockets and rock back on my heels.
“No,” she returns, narrowing her eyes in challenge.
“Come on, three things youlikethen? I’m a believer we’ll find whatever we’re looking for, so maybe you just need to look for the good? Works for me anyway. My life’s pretty great.” I shrug.
She blows out a breath and turns to face the sculpture. “Fine. But only because I don’t think you’ll let me leave until I do it.”
“That’a girl.” I wink, and maybe it’s the cold air, but I swear her cheeks get a little pinker. I clear my throat. “I’ll go first. I think it’s pretty cool this is the world’s largest candy cane sculpture, and we’re getting to see it in person. I don’t think many people can say that.”
“It’s interesting that the stripes are so … unique. They don’t match and don’t have straight edges … which gives it a … abstract feel?” She looks to me for approval, and I just laugh at her backhanded compliment. I’ll take what I can get.
“Agreed.” I nod. “I also love that it’s made of real sugar and peppermint extract.”
“It’s cool it hasn’t been eaten by ants already,” she adds.
“I love that it’s a unique, quirky thing that brings people so much joy.” I look to her in challenge and wink.
