Page 79 of All I Want For Christmas Is You

“As long as you know I want you with me in my bed, right here at the table…just sitting next to me at night reading. As far as what role you want to take in the household, it’s entirely up to you. If you never did anything but paint and talk to me, I’d be happy. Because all I want is to have you by my side.” He leaned in. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“I want that, too. So much. I’m just scared. It would be so easy to fall right back into my old role as housewife, making meals and doing laundry. I wouldn’t even think twice about it. But I have to make sure I don’t do that. I have to build my business and stay true to myself.” She leaned close enough for him to smell the strawberry jam on her breath. “But the truest part of me is meant to be with you.”

“Damn.” He picked up his mug just to have something to cover his dopey grin. “Okay, then.”

She caught his wrist and lowered his hand so she could kiss him. It was sweet and gentle, but a rumble deep inside foretold the crush of desire heading his way, and with his grandson sitting right there, it wasn’t a good idea.

“Go pay now, Ga-ga.”

Beau kissed her one last time. “Yep. We’ll go play, buddy.” He got up and released Colt from the chair. “First, let’s get you cleaned up. We’ve got a construction set to put together.”

Margot stayed at the table, finishing the latte he’d made for her. “Your kids are so lucky to have you.”

With Colt nestled between him and the sink, Beau turned on the faucet and waited until the water warmed. As he wiped his grandson’s mouth and hands with a dishtowel, she said, “Just to say, there’s one particularly good point in my asset column—”

“You have a deficit column?” He glanced at her over his shoulder.

“Well, to be fair, it’s extremely short.”

He chuckled, swiping while Colt twisted and ducked and fought against the wet cloth. “Go on.”

“My superpower is finding the best value. So, the first thing I’m going to do as manager of the mall is find local artists willing to cut their commission for the exposure this unique opportunity provides.”

Tossing the wet rag in the sink, he grabbed a dry one. “I’m just going to point out it’s Christmas. And you haven’t even been here twenty-four hours.”

“As I said, I dive right in. Anyhow, my first stop is the Museum of Broken Hearts to meet with Callie Bowie—do you know her?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Well, she runs it. She’s also an artist. I’m going to see if she knows anyone who can do the kind of glass work I’m looking for.”

“You already know about the museum and who runs it?” He settled his grandson on his hip.

“Sure, I do.”

“I see another superpower. She gets shit done.”

“I know, right? It’s a good one. There’s also an art gallery in Wild Wolff Village, and a woman named Phinny runs a boutique for all kinds of artisans.”

“Is this a plan for today? Or the next month?”

“Today.”

He laughed. “Okay, my little begonia.” He cut her a look, and they both shook their heads.

“I like sweetheart the best. It works for me.”

“And yet…the world is full of possibilities.” He brushed the hair out of Colt’s eyes. “So, can me and this little guy come along? Or are you riding solo?”

“I’d love to have you. And not just for the company. You’ll need to hear the costs of this project. You might not like it.”

“You know you have no budget, right?”

“Well, that’s just silly.” After finishing her coffee, she slid out of the banquette. “Every project has a budget.”

“Normally, I’d agree. But if your intention is to draw people to the mall to see an art installation, then we’d better give them one that’s worthy of their time. Now, the question is, for this new direction we’re taking, do we still need a realtor?”

“Let’s hold off on making that decision. First, we need to see if this idea is viable. If it is, we’ll need a lawyer, someone to negotiate leases and contracts.” After she rinsed out her mug and set it in the dishwasher, she wrapped her arms around him and Colt, inhaling. “Mm. I missed the smell of baby shampoo.” She lowered her face into his neck. “And you? I don’t know what soap you use or if it’s just your natural scent, but you drive me wild.”

---