“Do you ever rest?” Hamish asked. “Between here and the bed and breakfast, you are one busy man.”
He shrugged. “I’ll rest after the holidays. Plus, it’s not really work when you love it.”
“True,” I agreed.
“How is the bookstore going?” Hamish asked me.
“Great. Surpassed my expectations. Though, to be honest, I do expect it to quiet down after Christmas.”
“Well, yes. Such is retail. But,” Hamish said, “there is always something happening in this town throughout the year to base little events on and change up the display in your front window. There’s Valentine’s Day. Arbor Day is a big day in the park in springtime. We have tree-planting initiatives. We do stuff in the summer for the tourists.” Then his eyes lit up. “Ooh, you know, we could organize a monthly farmer’s market between your store and the youth center. I’m sure there’s some local businesses and producers who’d love that. We could have stalls for jams and sauces, wood-carved stuff from the mill. Maybe the school could sell cakes to raise money. I dunno what else, but there’s a lot of local farms and ranches who can showcase their goods. Pretty sure I heard Bryn telling Ren about her alpacas and using the wool for...” He made a confused face. “Or was it the goat’s milk. I can’t remember.”
Jayden laughed. “That’s a great idea. You should totally run for council.”
He rolled his eyes and waved that idea off, but it got me thinking... “The market day is a great idea. It would attract locals and visitors alike,” I said. “Something to think about in the new year, anyway. But before I forget, about your Christmas party dinner...”
Hamish looked at me, then he began to smile. “Yessssss. Will you be a plus-one?”
I couldn’t help but grin. “Yes. He said he’d like to come along.”
Hamish gripped my hand and made a strange high-pitchedeeeeepsound. “This is the kind of conversation I’m here for. Tell me everything.”
It was hard not to laugh because I was still so damn happy and giddy and excited, but I tried to compose myself. “Okay, so he said he wants to come with me, but,” I said, high emphasis on the but. “We might not stay long. He doesn’t like being in unfamiliar situations, and meeting a bunch of new people can be overwhelming. But he wants to try. For me. He wants to try for me.”
“Aww,” Hamish said. “He’s so sweet.”
Sweet? They had no idea.
I whipped out my phone. “Look at this,” I said, pulling up his texts. “Every morning he sends me a line of poetry.”
Hamish gasped and gripped my forearm. “Shut up. He does not.”
“He absolutely does.” I scrolled up, showing him.
“That is the most romantic thing ever,” Hamish breathed.
“I know! That’s what I told him.”
Jayden was smiling at me. “I’m telling ya, this Cupid thing needs to be studied.”
I sighed dreamily. “And this is probably going to sound lame to you guys, but it’s huge for him... He wants to practice holding my hand.”
Jayden stared. “He wants to practice?—”
There was a muted thud, and I was sure Hamish kicked him under the table to shut him up.
“That’s really sweet,” Hamish said gently. “It is a big deal for him. When I first took Chutney to the vet for a checkup, Ren told me not to expect a handshake or anything like that. Said he doesn’t like being touched.”
Pretty sure he said this for Jayden’s benefit, not mine.
I nodded. “It’s a whole thing.” I turned my hand over on the table and drew my index finger over my palm. “But he did this last night.”
Hamish put his hand to his heart. “Oh my word.”
I sighed again. “He’s the sweetest man I’ve ever met.”
“You’re perfect for each other,” Hamish whispered. There was no judgment or sarcasm, just complete understanding. Then he put his hand to his heart and leaned in so only we could hear. “Itotallyget why you don’t—asexuality is one hundred percent valid—but personally, I love the big D. If you know what I mean?—”
“Jesus,” Jayden mumbled.
