Chapter 2

2

Ben

“ T he plans look great, and I’m so glad that the new branding will be on all of the tents. I was worried that the late change would be a problem. This festival is going to bring so many new people to town, and unveiling the plans for the resort will keep people wanting to come back.” I had a little extra pep in my step today. The festival had fallen in place, and almost every store in town had agreed to a booth.

“The idea of the Christmas Market was excellent, Ben. Our small parade down Main Street with Santa’s arrival in front of the tree is going to be the event of the year. I can just feel it.” The mayor nodded and clapped me on the back. “Alright, I need to go grab my speech for the tree lighting. I’ll see you over there.”

I glanced down the street. People were starting to leave the shops and head to the center of town, where the tree stood in front of the courthouse. They did a great job decorating it, and when the mayor threw the switch, it would be as beautiful as we had imagined. It was a big lift, that was for sure. When the mayor came to me and asked for my help, I wasn’t sure that we would be able to pull it off.

Foggy Basin has always had an event, but it has never been like this one. The idea of the resort coming to life inspired the mayor. I just wish he had been inspired about two months earlier. I had only five weeks to put this together. If it were a success, next year's event would be even better. We had put ads in all the local newspapers within an hour's drive, and hopefully, this week would bring a lot of visitors to the town. More importantly, the small businesses would see a large boost to their holiday sales.

Percy worried. I mean, he always worried, but I knew that business had been up and down. Some days, he was exhausted by the number of orders and other times, he was exhausted from fretting about how slow things had been. This was his busy season, which had been busy for me, too, but I missed him.

How fast I had gotten used to being back in town and being so head over heels in love. I loved this opportunity, and I was glad to have it, but it was really the Percy of it all that made me happy. His smile alone brightened my day. His body pressed close to mine as we sat on the couch or lay in bed, still made my heart beat faster.

I just wished we had more time.

With his business and the planning of this event, time had become highly precious to both of us. He was busy – I understood. This was his livelihood, and he cared about it. Maybe I needed to spend more time at the bakery. That way, we would be able to have more time together instead of having exhausted kisses before bed. That was the difference between us. I could leave work at the office for the most part, except for this event that overwhelmed everything. But Percy couldn’t do that. He had to do everything by himself. I understood, even if I was jealous of the bakery sometimes.

“Why are you standing in the middle of the street?” His light laugh filled me with joy, and I turned around to find him standing there, all bundled up, holding out a snowman cookie to me.

“My favorite,” I took it and munched on the little head. “I just love how you make these cookies sparkle. Thank you.”

“Are you nervous?” He grinned, and I reached out and took his hand.

“No. I have you beside me. Ready?”

“Yeah. Tammy Sue is finishing the cakes.”

“That’s great. You wanna go grab dinner together tonight, then.”

He took a deep breath. “I still have to go back and decorate them. They have to sit in the fridge overnight.”

“Oh, ok.”

“Sorry.”

“No need to be… Maybe I could come and sit with you while you decorate.” I loved watching him work. He always stuck his tongue in the side of his mouth when he concentrated, and I found it adorable.

“I mean, it’s going to be very boring. But if you want to. It’s just detail work, so I really do have to concentrate, or it will look like a fruit salad.”

“I don’t wanna…” That was his way of telling me that I would be a distraction. “It’s ok. What time do you think you’ll be done? I mean, you do have a key.”

“Your bed is much comfier than mine.”

I took a deep breath and squeezed his hand. Here was my in to what I had wanted to talk about. “My bed could be your bed if you wanted, you know?”

“Are you thinking of getting another one? You just… ah…” I saw realization spread across his cheeks. He had the cutest blush.

“Wow! That took a second.”

“Moving in? Really?”

“Too fast?”

“I… I’m not sure. I mean, it’s been over three months, but…”

“Four months, and yes, I am sure. It’s only ever been you, Percy, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“Can I think about it?” His shoulders slumped.

“As long as you need. But the offer is there. I mean, you did help me choose the place.”

“I know. I do love it. It’s much nicer than my little place. I don’t even know the last time I spent a night in my own bed.”

“So, you’re saying that your place has just become a closet?”

“With about half my clothes in it. The rest are at your place.”

“It’s a big closet. I think they’d all fit. I’d even give you half the drawers.”

“You have a three-bedroom house. I’m sure I could find room,” he snorted. “I’ve never… lived with someone before.”

“Neither have I, Perce. We were just waiting for each other and didn’t even know it.” I pressed my shoulder into his.

“Maybe we knew it a little.”

“Maybe we did. So, you’ll think about it?”

“I will.” He stopped and took my face in his hands. “You know I love you.”

I took him in my arms and kissed him in the middle of the street. I barely remember the mayor’s speech. All I could think of was Percy lying in my arms every night in a home that we both shared.