Page 9 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
“Are you sure I should stay here?” He might be extra pissed when he finds out I’m not a party planner. That I am staying under his roof under false pretenses.
“Yes, I really do think you should stay here.” She gives me a warm smile, dimples appearing in her cheeks. “That said, I should cut out. I need to get that contract wrapped up.”
“Did you find the papers?”
“Yep,” she chirps.
“I’ll leave you two to it.” Her eyes bounce between the two of us. “Welcome to New Hope, Gwen.”
“Thank you,” I tell her. To my surprise, she wraps me in a tight hug.
“If you need anything, you can call or text me,” Kindred says, sounding a tad protective over me. “You’ll give her my number.” Now it’s her giving orders to Hollis.
“I’ll do that.”
“Then I’ll see you both tomorrow.” Kindred gives me one last smile before she turns to leave. It doesn’t go unnoticed by me that she didn’t hug or kiss Hollis goodbye.
“How about I show you to your room and then I’ll get to work on making us dinner.”
“That sounds nice.” I could use a minute to myself so I can get my head on straight and think of a new plan.
“Allow me.” He takes my bag. “How long have you been a party planner?” Hollis asks as I follow beside him. If a partyplanner is coming, I’m going to be so busted. Hopefully they aren't showing up for a few more days.
“Can I be honest with you?”
“I’d prefer that.” He smirks. Dang, his smirk is all kinds of sexy. The scar on the side of his face, in a weird way, appears natural, like it has been a part of him his whole life. That it belongs there.
“This will be the first party I’m planning,” I admit, not wanting to lie more than I already have.
Though I never said I was this party planner, I know it’s still a lie with me going along with it. I just don’t want to give him this news with anyone else around. I know Kindred might be engaged to him, but this feels too personal. It’s something he should hear on his own so he can process it, and then he can choose how to tell others in his life.
It’s not my place to put his business out into the world. For all I know, he may not want anything to do with me or the baby, and then I’ll just have to be on my merry way. Which is his right. He had no part in all this.
“It’s the first I’ve thrown here,” he says, not sounding bothered by my admission.
“How long have you lived here?” I ask the basic questions, not wanting him to think I googled him and basically know most of his details.
“I had a place of my own. A cabin a few miles out of town, but once I became mayor, there was pressure for me to move into this place. It had been empty before. I think they knew I would pay for the revamp and that I wouldn’t take the funds from the city’s budget.”
“Oh wow, you redid the place?” I run my hand up the smooth staircase railing as we head up the stairs. They curve in a half circle, leading up to a balcony that overlooks the entryway.
“It was more of a facelift. I tried to keep as much of the house's history as I could, but as you can see, it still needs some touches." The walls are pretty bare. With the crown molding, you don’t need much more, but you could add personal touches. I stop when we get to the top.
"This whole area will be a dream to decorate for a party," I tell him. "Wrap garland and lights up the banister and put a Christmas tree there." I point down to one side of the entryway. "When people enter, you can set up drinks or even a bar in that area, and the coat check can be located over there.”
"Are you sure this is your first party?"
"The place was made for entertaining. I don't think it will be difficult to get it there in all its Christmas glory."
“I look forward to seeing your vision come to life. If you don’t mind, I'd like to have some sort of involvement in the planning. Not trying to step on any toes or micromanage.”
He doesn’t look like the entertaining type if I’m being honest, but I’m sure it comes with the territory of being the mayor.
“You’re the boss, and I’m sure you’ll have valuable input since you know the townspeople.” He graces me with one of those sexy smiles of his that has butterflies forming in my stomach.
“We'll do it together.” My heart gives another flutter at the wordtogether.
“Together.” I repeat it with a nod, wanting that more than anything.
