Page 38 of The Bookworm Who Stole Christmas
He grins. “It was their idea to ask you.”
“Do I need to bring anything?”
This is the first time I’ve ever done something like this, so I should bring something, right?
Parker kisses my forehead. “Nope, just bring yourself. We have everything covered. Mom usually cooks for a hundred people, so there’s always spare food.”
“Oh, okay. Yeah, sure,” I reply, completely flustered.
What the hell do I wear?
Chapter Twenty-Three
MADDIE
It’s official. I’ve lost my damn mind.
I’m in love, and I’m full of holiday cheer, bang smack on Christmas Eve. And it’s all because of Parker. His infectious nature has lit me up from the inside out. He may be eleven years older than me, but he’s the funniest, most attentive person I’ve ever met, and I’ve fallen hook, line, and sinker.
The fact that he’s got me into the Christmas spirit is just another reason to add to the list of why I think he’s so amazing. Christmas is a special time, one that’s supposed to be filled with love and good deeds, and he’s given me back my appreciation of it again.
He’s shown me that Christmas is a time for giving, which is why last week, I decided to buy some children’s Christmas books to put in the shop. They came in with this morning’s delivery, and I can’t wait to get them out on the shelves for people to buy in their last-minute panic.
Having Amelia around is just the icing on the cake. I just hope she won’t mind too much that I’m dating her dad. We haven’t talked about it, and Parker hasn’t said anything.Maybe I should talk to him about it?ShouldI talk to him about it?
Oh god!
Nerves hit me, and I feel slightly sick. It’s fine. I know she doesn’t have a great relationship with her mom, and I’m not trying to replace her. I’m more of an older sister type person, thing? Oh hell.
It's fine, everything’s fine.
I laugh at my rambling thoughts, carefully taking out each book and placing them gently onto the shelves. Once I’m done, I take a step back and admire my work. My chest fills with warmth, and I giggle to myself, kind of liking the new me.
This is going to be the best Christmas ever.
I sold out of every single holiday book in the store, meaning I’ve made more money today than I have in the last six months since opening. I try to remove the goofy grin plastered all over my face, but fail miserably.
Parker messaged me earlier to say he was grabbing ice cream with Amelia, and even though I know I’m seeing them both tomorrow, I thought I’d surprise them.
I lock up the bookstore and start strolling down Main Street. I shove my hands into my pockets and walk along the icy sidewalk, trying not to slip. All the shops are shut, their lights off, and signs flipped to ‘Closed.’ Everyone’s home with their families, probably halfway through dessert or arguing over what to watch next.
I come to a stop outside the ice cream parlor, but that’s closed too.
Strange, he said they’dbe here.
The snow falls heavily around me as I search in my bag for my phone. I find it and shoot him a text.
Hey, I thought you guys were at the ice cream parlor?
Parker
Sorry, got held up. I’m still at the garage. Amelia’s with my dad.
The garage is only a couple of minutes away, so I head there, boots crunching through the snow. I tug my coat tighter around my ears, muttering under my breath about forgetting my hat. Arty didn’t wake me up like he usually does, soobviouslythis is all his fault.
The garage lights are on, glowing warm against the icy evening. I make my way to the front entrance, but freeze when I spot Parker inside with someone else. My stomach drops as I squint through the frosted glass, my heart hammering like it’s trying to escape from my chest.
The mystery woman finally turns, and I let out the biggest breath, practically fogging up the window. My heart’s still doing laps, but at least it’s not about to implode. I reach for the door, ready to step inside, until I hear something. Something that makes me stop cold.
