“Which means it’s out of style, but he won’t let me buy him a new one,” Jack said, lining up the boxes near the far wall.
Fitz blew Jack a kiss. “As sweet as the sentiment is, darling, I’m no longer in that industry, which means I don’t need to keep up with current fashion trends, andneitherof us needs to spend that kind of money on clothing, especially a fur coat. We live in Florida.”
“Says the guy who wears sweaters all the time. In Florida,” Ace teased. He was pretty sure the entirety of Fitz’s wardrobe consisted of designer labels, but he also knew that Fitz never paid full price for any of it. The man had a talent for finding a good bargain. He also wasn’t afraid to go to battle for his wardrobe. Watching a couple of former models face off during a designer clearance sale had been terrifying. Ace would rather face an army of squirrels on steroids.
Fitz tugged at Jack’s shirt and, with a sinful smile, pulled him close. Jack didn’t hesitate. He walked right into Fitz’s arms and smiled as Fitz kissed him.
That was Ace’s cue to head out. Mason and Lucky were already on the roof. Ace had helped carry everything they needed as soon as the truck pulled in, and as he’d promised Colton, he handed things off to them without climbing onto the roof.
Speaking of his beautiful, amazing husband. It was time for Ace’s surprise. He sent off a text for Colton to meet him as soon as he was done at the café. Clara and several of the town residents would be gathering deliveries and putting everything inside the main ballroom of the Ice Castle. As the shipments came in, with the help of Ace’s family, they’d put together a plan of action and start decorating.
As Ace had hoped, everyone was getting into the holiday spirit, and all his family members were having a great time. They still didn’t know what Leo was up to, but they weren’t worried. Leo would share with them soon enough.
Ace took a sip of hot cocoa and hummed. Damn, this was good. He needed to find out the recipe. The mounds of whipped cream and marshmallows, and the chocolate stirrer probably did a little something to enhance the taste.
The door above the café jungled, and Ace’s heart swelled. He marveled at how Colton’s smile still had the power to light Ace up inside. Colton pulled off his gloves and joined Ace at the small table near the window.
“Hey, I got your message. Everything okay?”
“Yep. Can you take a break for a bit?”
Colton plucked off a marshmallow and popped it into his mouth. “For you, my love, anything.”
“Aw. And I thought this drink was sweet.”
“No, that drink is a cavity waiting to happen,” Colton teased. He ordered himself a less impressive hot cocoa and some cookies to go. They left the café, and Colton followed Ace down the street toward the Christmas tree farm. By now, they knew their way around town pretty well.
“Why are we heading to the Christmas tree farm? We already have a tree.”
“You’ll see,” Ace replied, taking another sip of his hot drink. It started to snow, light and fluffy flakes landing softly on the snowy ground. Talk about perfect timing. They greeted Jovie in the lot and walked toward the back where the lot opened up into an expansive snowy field that led to the woods.
Colton eyed him. “Why are you being so secretive?”
“Why are you being so nosy?”
Colton laughed. “Okay. Hint taken.”
“That’s more like it.” Ace received a swat to the arm, making him laugh.
“There won’t be any squirrels involved, will there?”
“I knew it. That will haunt me for the rest of my days.”
Colton nodded. “Yes, it will.”
The sound of jingling bells suddenly filled the air, growing louder as Ace’s surprise grew closer. Colton stared at Ace.
“What is that?”
Two huge reindeer with enormous antlers rounded the bend, pulling a big red and gold sleigh. Unlike a carriage pulled by horses where the driver sat in the front, with a sleigh, the driver—Noel—stood on a small platform at the back, his butt against a raised, red tufted bench of sorts.
Next to Ace, Colton gasped. “You didn’t.”
“I did. I talked to Leo, and he put in a good word with Santa. He let Noel borrow one of the sleighs and a couple of reindeer so we could take a romantic sleigh ride.” The reindeer stopped before them, snorting loudly as they shook their heads. “This is Cupid and Vixen.”
“Of course,” Colton said with a laugh. He tentatively reached out, then stopped, glancing at Noel. “Can I touch them?”
“Of course. They like to be petted,” Noel said.
