Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
This overwhelming happiness took me over, and I was so glad to be sharing this moment with him—with the bighearted man who was changing my world in more ways than he would ever know.
“Come,” Aidan said, getting out of the car.
I followed along behind him as we went into the cabin and found out what we had to do. Aidan signed some forms and got a saw, and we made our way out back.
“What’s your favorite holiday?” I asked as we browsed the trees.
“Hmm…” He tapped his temple playfully, as if thinking. I was pretty sure he was covering for something, maybe for mentioning his mom? “Christmas, I guess. It’s not something I’ve thought about much.”
“Oh my God, Aidan. You totally should. And Christmas is second to my birthday, which is on Christmas Eve.”
“I know,” he replied with a grin.
My pulse sped up a bit. “Wait. You remembered? Like, is it something you’ve thought about?”
Aidan chuckled. “Relax, boy. There’s no hidden story there.”
Crossing my arms, I pouted playfully.
“Which tree do you want?” he asked a moment later.
“I don’t know. Which one do you like?”
“You choose,” he replied, and I felt a bit light-headed as another rush of happiness swam through me.
Aidan didn’t rush me. It took me over thirty minutes to find the perfect tree, and he waited patiently as we browsed and chatted. When I saw the perfect one—probably eight feet tall and incredibly full and wide—I stopped. “This one. It’s perfect!”
“Looks like a good choice to me. Let’s do this.”
We took turns with the saw, cutting down our tree. Aidan wouldn’t let me pay, and a little while later, with the tree strapped to the top of the car, we were driving home and chatting about all sorts of random things.
This felt…different from any time Aidan and I had spent together, and I wanted nothing more than to live in moments like this with him for as long as I could.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Aidan
I was absolutely ridiculous. I felt a bit silly, but that didn’t stop me from researching light companies to have someone come to decorate the outside of the house while Finley was out.
I’d enjoyed our spontaneous trip to Big Bear more than I liked to admit. We had to shop for decorations afterward, and he’d loved it. It felt good to see him smile and know I was the one making it happen. He hadn’t had enough happiness in his life, and while I couldn’t give him everything he wanted, I took delight in giving him what I could.
And I knew he wanted the outside of the house decorated. I knew it would please him.
This was all…not what it was supposed to be. I didn’t mean my promise not to be with anyone else or picking out trees and holiday ornaments together, but the fact that I liked spending time with him more than I thought I would. Having Finley around had become more than just a routine. We’d slipped into this sort of life together. That was something else I hadn’t expected, and again, I didn’t know what to do with it.
Once I made the phone call and was able to get someone out quickly to take care of decorating the house, I went to work.
Absurdly, I continued to check my phone when I knew Finley would be home. The lights wouldn’t be on, so maybe he hadn’t noticed? But he paid attention well to detail, and I knew that wasn’t the case. He would have seen them, so I was surprised he hadn’t called or texted. What I didn’t want to acknowledge was that it disappointed me he hadn’t.
Forcing those thoughts from my mind—they had no business being there anyway—I finished up at work and headed home.
When I pulled up to the house, it was after dark. The Christmas lights were glowing…and were a bit obnoxious, if you asked me. It was…a lot. But the second I got out of the car, the door to the house opened and Finley came running out.
He jumped at me before I had a chance to do or think much of anything. “It’s perfect, Sir! I…I can’t believe you did this for me. Thank you!”
“It’s not a problem.” I patted his back awkwardly before letting him go. “Why wouldn’t I do this for you?” Forget that it wasn’t the kind of thing I did. I knew that wasn’t what he meant.
“I just know it had to be expensive…and you don’t care about it. I’m not sure I’m worth that kind of—”
“Stop,” I cut him off. “I’m going to make you say nice things about yourself every time you say something negative if you don’t stop.” Cupping his cheek, I angled his face toward me. “You’re worth Christmas lights. You’re worth more than that. Don’t feel differently, and don’t let anyone ever treat you differently either.”