Thankfully the wedding is on the twentieth, so the last weekend for the Christmas Village this year is December thirteenth. It’s a good thing that those seventy-five ornaments weren't my entire stock, but I still spent the last six days working my ass off making sure I have a decent amount.
“I knew they would. You make incredibly beautiful art, Plum,” Benson says sweetly, and I sigh. If he were my real boyfriend, I think he would probably be a pretty great one. He’s patient, understanding, and kind. Boyfriend material for sure.
“Well, thank you,” I murmur, blushing as I finish tugging my pants on with one hand.
Over the last eighteen days, Benson and Nick have met me for either pre-work coffee or a quick lunch. Just enough to make sure word gets around that we’re definitely seeing each other.
It only took about five days for Sable to start asking questions, so we sent out an official group text that Sunday.
“If this was real, I would just text Sable. She’s not much of a caller,” I tell the guys, staring at my phone screen as I pull up Sable’s contact. She texted me earlier this morning after our coffee date, so I came to the farm for dinner so we can talk about how to tell everyone.
Sable: Why have I been hearing about your coffee dates with two alphas from random customers and not my best friend… No pressure, but like, rude.
“Stella hasn’t mentioned it, but I have no doubt Val’s mentioned it to her. She’s probably just trying to be patient.” I nibble my lip, worrying about what’s currently going through my friends’ heads, and decide it can’t really wait any longer. “I can text her as well…”
“Hold on,” Benson says, grabbing my phone out of my shaking hand. “You’re too tense. Come here.” He lifts me out of my seat at their dining table and sits in the spot I was just in,bringing me down with him onto his lap. “Let’s send a group text to Rhian, Sable, and Stella with a picture of the three of us.”
Nick is sitting beside us in his own chair and scoots it closer, clearly on board with the idea.
“Okay,” I agree, and Nick pulls up the camera on his phone and positions it so you can see all three of us in frame. When I see my face on the phone screen, I sigh. “I look like I’ve been taken hostage, not like I’m in a joyful new relationship.”
Nick hands his phone to his brother and turns until he’s facing us. Then he grabs my face between his hands and pulls me in for a kiss. I hear the camera click several times as Benson takes the pictures, but I’m not paying any attention to that now.
Nick’s kiss is rough, just like him, and it steals my breath, along with every rational thought. The desire to climb into his lap is strong, but then he’s releasing me and sitting back.
“There. It’s sent,” Benson announces as I blink dumbly at Nick. The older alpha smirks back, and I need to break eye contact before I do something crazy.
Answering the slew of texts over the next hour was nerve-wracking, but once it was over I felt a little more relaxed. Lying to my friends is awkward, but it’s for a good reason, and I know they’d understand. Telling Stella would put her in the shitty position of having to either betray my trust or withhold information from her fiancé, and it doesn’t seem fair to only tell Sable. Maybe once this is all over and Kai is long gone, I’ll tell them both.
Nick’s kiss keeps crossing my mind. It was good—well, it was a good performance for the photo, anyway. Even I got caught up in it, so it must have looked convincing. I haven’t kissed either alpha since then, with the exception of a kiss to the cheek or forehead during our daily mini dates. Not that I’m expecting them to do more; they’re already putting a lot into this for me.
We attempted an official date night last night. We were all so tired from working to get everything ready for the weekend that Nick and I both fell asleep during the movie. After attempting to wake us up three times, Benson gave up and let us sleep.
It was a rather pathetic attempt at a date, so tonight we’re having a redo. Bee and Kai will be at the Christmas Village, along with my best friend Sable and her mates. This should give the three of us a chance to make this whole scheme look real and, with any luck, keep Kai at arm's length for the entire month of December.
“I’m sorry I’m running late,” I grumble, digging through my sock drawer for two socks that are at least slightly the same style. Why must the dryer only steal one of each pair? It’s inconvenient as hell.
“We work and live here, remember? We’re going to be here all night, babe. Take your time; don’t rush. And please drive the speed limit. It’s getting cold enough for the roads to freeze at night now, and I don’t want you getting hurt because you think Nick and I will be offended that you’re not here exactly at six,” he says.
“You’re going to be a fantastic boyfriend for someone someday,” I murmur thoughtlessly as I tug on my sock before shoving my feet into my favorite winter boots.
“I already am,” he teases, and I snort.
“Okay, I’ll see you soon, lover boy.”
“See you soon.”
I hang up, then do a quick double-check that I look cute in my oversized dark green sweater and candy cane leggings. I’m wearing an undershirt, and the leggings are fleece-lined, so I should be cozy tonight. My hair is down and straight, and I’ve kept my makeup simple and just added red lipstick. It’s simple but cute—exactly what I was going for.
Tonight is about testing how well we’re going to do when surrounded by more than just random townspeople. God, I hope we can pull this off convincingly. I guess it’s probably for the best that I haven’t had any free time to focus on the growing nervousness I feel whenever I’m around the two alphas. I’m overwhelmed enough as it is already.
Not giving myself the chance to overthink it more, I grab my purse and keys, then rush out the front door.
I’ve taken a single step into the hallway when I see the massive bouquet of flowers waiting by my door and sigh. I already know they’re from Kai, because there are currently fifteen days’ worth of flowers dying in this hallway because I refuse to bring any of them inside. I’ll only touch them enough to push them out of my direct path, adding them to the row of floral death.
Each one has gotten more extravagant than the last. It’s a waste, and I hate it. I hate that he thinks he can buy my attention with gifts. I hate that he thinks he needs money to impress me. I liked him just fine before he abandoned me for all that wealth he’s trying to flaunt. Now this is just a reminder of what he put before me.
The daily bouquets and shows of wealth might work on some, since a man with money is a man who can provide for his woman, but I’ve been doing just fine without him. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time now. I don’t need him to do it.
