Page 41 of The Holiday Boyfriend

I knewboyfriendwas the title we'd agreed on for the holidays, and only for the holidays, but I couldn't stop my foolish heart from skipping its happy beat. We ate breakfast mostly in silence, with Jim glancing at me with a strange smile every so often. I cast him questioning looks, which only made his smile grow wider.

“Did you bump your head in your sleep last night?” I asked as we cleaned up after dinner. Jim was scrubbing the pan he used to cook. Of course, he'd somehow burnt the pan while cooking bacon.

He chuckled as he scrubbed off the last of the pieces that were stuck on the bottom of the pan. “The only thing I bumped last night was my dick into your ass,” he said as he thrust his hips into the air.

I rolled my eyes at his vulgar words but felt my cheeks heat. I grumbled under my breath about how he didn't have to phrase it like that. Jim laughed and pressed a quick kiss on my hot cheeks. “Don't worry, nobody's gone and switched out your man. I just wanted to have a nice day out in town with you.”

That had stunned me into silence.

Jim wants to go on a date with me.

I battled internally between being ecstatic and panicked. Going on a date—and a first date at that—sounded like the perfect way to spend the day, but going into town meant that we wouldn't be able to keep our relationship on the down-low anymore.

I heard some gossip after the night in town, but fortunately my parents either didn't hear the rumors or didn't believe them and hadn’t questioned me. But there would be no denying anything if we went on this date.

“You don't want to?” Probably seeing that I didn't reply, Jim glanced over with a look full of expectation. He looked so excited about today, so what could I do but agree?

TWENTY-FIVE

AUSTIN

Jim drove us to Main Street. Every year around this time, it was bustling with people exploring our little town and enjoying the events we hosted all hours of the day.

The place was already crowded even despite it being so early in the morning. If Jim hadn't insisted on a date today, I would be driving around the streets, looking for fares. December weekends were the best time to make extra cash in Wintertown, but money was worth nothing compared to a date with Jim.

We parked on a less busy street about a five minute walk from the main square. Jim walked around to my side of the car and took my hand as soon as I got out.

As we entered the more crowded area, my eyes darted from side-to-side. I couldn't stop thinking about who would see us. It was normal for Jim and me to be seen around town together but never holding hands. We were close but notthatclose.

Jim must have seen my anxious look since he squeezed my hand and said, “Relax. Everything is going to be fine. Trust me.”

I did trust Jim, so I tried to let go of the worry and enjoy the moment, but when we entered the main area and I spotted our town's worst gossip watching us from the stall he'd set up on the main square, I tensed up. His sharp eyes flickered between the two of us before moving down to our connected hands.

We were walking in the old man's direction, and I tried to pull Jim's hand to head somewhere else, but he didn't bulge. We walked into the main square and passed by Old Man Red's stall.

I braced myself for the questions that a huge gossiper like him would crave the answers to. Instead, Old Man Red smiled so widely it only deepened the wrinkles on his face. “Good morning, boys. Nice weather we're having today.”

Jim beamed back at him and turned up his charm. “It is, and looks like business has been going well too.”

Old Man Red had lived in town since long before anyone could remember. Nobody really knew where the nickname came from, but everyone in town called him Old Man Red. For a man whose favorite pastime was spreading secrets, he sure had a shit ton of secrets himself.

During the holiday season, he lured poor, unsuspecting souls with our town's legend and sold them ridiculously priced trinkets featuring our town's famous Doves. Kingsley told me Ethan had also been one of his victims.

Looking at his half-empty table, it seemed that he had done well for himself today. Old Man Red shot us a toothy grin. “The Doves of Destiny basically sell themselves. This old man is just spreading their blessings.”

I grinned. He had a way with words, but I was sure spreading blessings wasn't his only goal for selling his wares. Jim was so much better at social settings than I was and was composed as he complimented the man. “I'm sure your enchanting retelling of our town's legend also had something to do with it.”

Old Man Red let out a full-bellied laugh and clapped Jim on the shoulder. “You're one smooth talker. I can see why the women love you,” he commented.

I frowned. I didn't want to be reminded that Jim was straight and popular with women when this was supposed to be my day with him.

Jim lifted our locked fingers to show the older man. “If you'll excuse us, we're on a date,” he said with a wink.

“Good, good! Youngsters should enjoy themselves,” he said with a glint in his eyes.

We said our goodbyes and walked deeper into the square. “Are you sure it was wise to tell him this is a date?” I asked once we were out of earshot.

Jim's steps didn't falter as he brought me to the other side of the main square. “It's fine,” he casually said before pointing up at the large Christmas tree that sat in the middle of the square.

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