“The one that’s been in the shed forever?” I couldn’t imagine how my dad roped him into that project, or better yet, why he wanted to get it running after all these years. As far as I knew, that thing had never made it out of our driveway.
“That’s the one. The only thing I’m counting on is that he’s smart enough not to try it in the snow if they do get it running. I have a feeling your handyman will get it going though.”
“Probably.” I smirked. “He does have an engineering degree and he’s naturally gifted at fixing things.” I thought about all of the things he had taught himself to do. “Well, most things.”
“When he’s not fixing things and working at the motel, what do you do together?” My mother turned down the radio.
I thought about our routine at the beach cottage. I was learning as much as I could about condo management and sales, while Grey was working with construction engineers on strategies to maintain as much of the Palm’s original structure as possible. By the time we got home, we were exhausted.
“We like to cook together.” I chewed on my lip. “And we do this thing on the deck almost every night where we have a drink and watch the sunset. It’s become a daily ritual.”
“Ok.” She nodded her head, but I couldn’t tell what level of approval that meant.
“And sometimes we go over to Pete’s and have dinner and drinks. Most of our friends hang out there.”
“That’s the bar across the street, right?” She turned the car into an open slot in front of the studio.
“Yes.” I wasn’t sure if the line of questioning meant anything. “Mom, is there something else you’re trying to ask me?”
She reached in the backseat for her bag and mat. “No, honey. I just want to know what your life with Grey is like. That’s all.” She unclipped her seat belt and pushed open the car door. “Come on. Class is waiting.”
I followed her into the studio, not exactly sure I had given her the right answers.
The rest of the week flew by. I always forgot that part about the holidays. It seemed like if we didn’t have work and responsibilities at home that our vacation should linger on, but it was the opposite. Before I knew it, it was Thursday night and Grey and I were headed to Wonderland Lights.
Spending the evening with Mason wasn’t at the top of his priority list, but at least he was giving it a try.
“And why is it we are going on a double date? I’d be fine hanging out at the house with your parents if you wanted a girls’ night with Taylor.”
Ok, maybe he wasn’t completely open to the experience.
I pointed to our exit. “Turn there.” I could see a line of cars from the highway. “Because it’s Christmas and Christmas is about friends and family. Taylor’s my friend and Mason is your—”
“Don’t say it. Don’t even try that, Eden. Mason and I are business partners.” Grey slowed the car in the lane in front of us.
“Sorry. I just want you to have family. I’m not trying to put you two together. If it wasn’t my only chance to see Taylor while I’m home, I wouldn’t have suggested it.”
His hand clutched mine against my leg. “I know you’re trying to help.” He turned toward me. “But you’ve got to let Mason and I figure this out. Right now we are business partners.”
“That’s something.” I smiled. I pulled out my phone to text Taylor and let her know we were somewhere in this pack of cars.
“Have you ever been here before?” Grey asked.
“No, but I always wanted to go. They have hayrides that take you through the lights, and there’s hot chocolate. I love hot chocolate.”
“Then I will make sure you get all the hot chocolate you want.” He leaned across the console and brushed his lips against mine.
I sighed as I felt the tender kiss spread warmth throughout my limbs. I leaned into him, eager to taste more of his lips. A car honked behind us.
“I better watch the line.” Grey straightened his shoulders and focused on the steering wheel.
I giggled. I could tell the kiss had him breathing heavier too.
My phone buzzed. “It’s Taylor. She said they are waiting for us outside the ticket booth.”
“Great,” Grey muttered.
“We’re going to have fun.” I curled my fingers against the inside of his thigh. “And just think about all the fun we’ll have tonight when we’re alone.” I smiled when he cleared his throat.
I wasn’t sure what it was about Christmas sex, but we had officially taken things to an entirely new level. Maybe it was the romance of the tree and the lights, or the late night cocktails and being surrounded by a snowy wonderland. Maybe it was because there was no stress waiting for us when we woke up each morning. It was Grey, me, and Christmas. Whatever magic it was, it had taken our physical relationship to a place I didn’t even know existed.
One of the parking lot ushers, dressed like an elf, flagged us into an open spot at the end of one of the fields. We pulled on our gloves and started the short walk to the ticket office.
Taylor ran toward me before we were inside the gate.