Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
“This is true.” That’s how it had been for me in college. I was working, going to classes, or studying.
“Now, let’s introduce you to people and eat some of these hors d'oeuvres." Mary snatches a skewer off a passing tray, handing it to me, and then takes one for herself.
"We really nailed the food," I say, taking a second bite of mine. As I glance around the living room area, I see that she was right.
The party really brings everything to life. There isn't an inch of this place that's not coated in some kind of Christmas décor. Each room even has its own theme. This one is a winter wonderland.
Mary leads me around, introducing me to people. She wasn’t lying when she said there were going to be a bunch of people from the city here. A few of them appear vaguely familiar, and I wonder if I met them at a past event with Max.
"Precious girl" I hear said behind me before arms are wrapped around me. Hollis places a kiss on my bare shoulder. "How are you doing?"
"Perfect," I tell him. He turns me in his arms.
"Are you sure?" Hollis searches my face.
"What?" I drop my voice. "Was I fidgeting?"
"No." His brows pull together. "Not at the moment. But when you do it, it's rather adorable."
"Really?"
"It's sweet innocence. There is nothing wrong with it if that's what helps you. But it also gives me a clue on how you're feeling so that I can fix it." If I had any lingering effects of the years of Max's comments, this would wash them all away.
"You’re my everything, Hollis," I blurt out before I can think about what I'm saying.
“Candy—”
“It popped out.” His hands cup my face, and he leans down close.
“Good.” His eyes stay intently fixed on mine. “I want to be your everything and more. I wish I could take you upstairs and ravish you.” He drops his forehead to mine. “But it will have to wait.”
“I’m okay with that,” I tell him. “It’s not as though we’ve had to wait for much else in this relationship.” A deep, sexy chuckle rumbles from him.
"Maybe for you, but it's been a lifetime for me."
"Hollis," I whisper. "You're making it harder for me not to lure you upstairs."
"You wouldn't have to try hard." He kisses the tip of my nose. "But there are still plans for this evening, and I'm stealing you back from Mom. The music has started in the library, and I want to dance with my fiancée."
“Yes, please. I’ve yet to see that room fully done.” We had to have a lot of furniture removed from the house so that there was room for people to mingle. Hollis pulls me close as he leads us toward the library.
A few people try to stop us, but Hollis tells them he's taking his fiancée for a dance. I love the way the word "fiancée" sounds each time one of us says it. I can't imagine how I'll be when he calls me his wife.
I'd picked the theme for the library. Well, I had a hand in them all, really. Both Mary and Polly insisted I had to add touches to each of them, saying over and over again that this was my home now too. Everyone has gone out of their way to be so kind and make me feel accepted and welcomed.
I chose to have a woodsy, rustic feel for the library. I thought that would fit. There are floor-to-ceiling wooden bookcases that wrap around the whole room. We were able to wrap garland and white Christmas lights everywhere. They are even on the ceiling, making it appear as though you are in a forest looking up at the sky.
Earlier, when I went upstairs to change and get ready, they were pulling out the last of the furniture in the library to lay down the dance floor. I don't think Mary was far off the mark when she told me that we weren't far from a wedding with all the details we'd put in for this holiday party.
The more she talks about a wedding and the more I get to know everyone in town, the more I find myself wanting one. I'd never given it much thought before.
"Is that a harp?" I ask. It's a silly question because I can see it. The rich chords fill the room. It's warm and soothing, giving the library a fairy tale-like quality to it now.
"You told me about how you loved to eat outside of the music hall at school to listen to them play, and the harp was always your favorite." It's true, and it was such an offhanded thing I must have said to him because I don't recall doing it. "Can I have this dance?" he asks.
The room is filled with people, but no one is on the dance floor yet. "Can we?"