“Bid on one.”
“What?”
“Bid on one.”
“Why? I don’t have any more room. I suppose I could fit one downstairs in the shop, but I already have the photo backdrop, the train table, and my cocoa stand. I’m not sure where I’d put it.”
“Not for you. For me. I don’t have a tree.”
Her heart melted. “You want a tree? And I get to pick it? You’re seriously going to put up a Christmas tree in your house?”
He shrugged. “I’ve been meaning to get one anyway.”
Cassidy wasn’t sure if she believed him or not, but she wasn’t about to talk him out of a tree.
“Alright then…” She was on a mission now. They walked hand in hand, analyzing each one. Some were too glittery, others too whimsical, and some were downright gaudy. Cassidy couldn’t believe she was even thinking that.
But then she found it—a tree that screamed Liam.
It had burlap ribbon, wooden ornaments tied with red ribbon, and pinecones dipped in white. No glitter, nothing flashing, just a simply beautiful tree.
“This one,” she whispered.
He tilted his head. “Really?”
“It’s all woody and wild, like you.” She went up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
Then, before he could beat her to it, she scribbled down a bid and folded the slip before he could peek.
“How much?”
“You’ll see.”
“That’s not how this works.”
“It’s your Christmas present,” she said, slipping the paper into the ballot box.
He tugged on her hand, pulling her forward. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t know, you’ve been pretty good to me this season,” she said, bumping his shoulder as they walked.
They made their way slowly toward the exit, Muff trotting beside them. Outside, snow had begun to fall again in big, fat flakes. She could see them clearly in the fluorescent glow of the parking lot’s lights.
There was something about being surrounded by families, laughter, and beautiful trees that made her want to open up to Liam. She wanted him to realize how much he meant to her this year—how special Christmas had been. Her first Christmas in Maple Falls.
They climbed into the truck, Muff settling between them.
“The last two nights? They were everything. I didn’t know it could be like that,” she said. “You’re the only one I’ve ever been with who’s made me, you know…”
“You know I love hearing you say that,” he said, voice low and rough as he started the truck.
“Actually, it’s all been new.”
Liam was about to put the car into drive but stopped. “What do you mean?”
Cassidy promised herself she wouldn’t blush. There was nothing to be embarrassed about. “I mean, I’ve had sex before, but like regular sex. Vanilla sex. Nothing like oral sex or dirty talk… Jean-Paul is the only other guy I’ve ever been with.”
“The only other guy?”
