“We’re going to be late.” I bat at North’s hands as he tries to button my coat up for me.
We spent the past few days in bed. There might have been a ton of lovemaking, but I got to know North on a deeper level too. It was nice just being together and talking to him while he told me all kinds of stories about Troping. He really does love this town.
When he went to college, he knew that he’d be back as soon as he graduated. I love that. I’d say I wish I felt the same about my small town growing up, but then I never would have found Troping. Our towns are night and day, and I think the only thing that could drive me from here would be North and a broken heart.
A few times I woke up, and he was missing from bed. When I went in search of him, he was usually in his office. Every time he saw me come in, he’d close his laptop and come to me. I knew he was doing work while I slept, but for some reason I could tell he didn’t want me to think that work came before me. Which seems ridiculous when we’ve made this arrangement of convenience.
That’s the thing about North, though. When he puts his mind to something, he does it, and he goes all in. He’s mayor of Troping and the holidays are in full swing. This is the busiest time of year for us, and I’m sure his emails are stacking up with everyone needing something.
He also seems to have his mind set on being a good husband even if it’s not completely real. I say completely real because to me it’s becoming all too real. North is way too good at being the perfect spouse. He’s even a modern-day husband. I love to cook, and it’s actually something I miss doing. My tiny apartment had a stove with only two burners and an oven I could never get above 350 degrees. But instead of letting me do all the cooking, North is always waking me up with something he’s made for the both of us.
“We can be late. I’m the mayor.” He buttons the last one on my coat before he tries to help me put on my gloves. No one has ever taken care of me the way this man does.
“You know I dress myself every day.” I teasingly roll my eyes at him.
“That was before. This is now. Speaking of, we need to go shopping or you should order some things. Your stuff barely fills your side of the closet.”
“I'm fine.” Although he’s right because my side does appear bare compared to his. The closet and dresser I had before I could easily fill, but his closet is massive!
“Fine, I'll do it myself.”
“You will not.” I slip my hands into the gloves and glare.
“I’m the boss. Remember.” He kisses me before I can reply. “You think I won’t be able to pick out things you’ll like?” he asks when he pulls away from the kiss to put on his own coat.
“Well, I love these boots, and you think they’re ugly.” I tap them together.
“I never said that. I love those boots.”
“Seriously, now you’re saying you love them?” I put my hands on my hips, not buying it.
“Yes, I told you they are practical. You think I want you slipping and falling? You could get hurt.”
“Oh.” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip and think about what he really said. Has North been sweet to me in ways I hadn’t picked up on before?
“Sweetheart, you could wear a paper bag and I’d get turned on.”
Normally I would think that’s a line, but with North, I actually believe him. The man can’t keep his hands off me. He wasn't wrong about us having chemistry. Our kisses are so natural now, and a lot of things have become that way with us already. I want to think it’s because we worked together for a bit before we got married, but North has always been so stiff. This is different. We’re different.
He hands me my purse before we’re out the side door where his SUV is already warmed up. His hand stays on my back, guiding me to the passenger side before opening the door for me.
“Is it just me or does it seem like we’ve been locked away in the house longer than we really have?” I ask as he drives toward the center of town. People turn to wave at us as we pass, and a few people hoot and shout congratulations.
“Has it been that terrible?” North’s voice drops.
“No!” I rush to say, and my voice squeaks. “I only mean so much has changed. It's hard to think we’ve only been gone a few days is all.”
“After the New Year, we’ll go on a proper honeymoon.”
“A honeymoon? To a beach?” When I think of a vacation, the beach is the first thing that comes to mind.
“If that’s what you want.”
“I’ve never seen the ocean.”
“What?” North asks, shocked.
“We didn’t really vacation unless you count driving a few hours from the house to see something. That was about it.” He’s quiet as he pulls into an empty spot in front of Frostie’s bakery. While North has told me a ton about himself, I’ve dodged a lot about my past and the girl I thought I left behind.
“Have you told your parents about us?” He finally speaks after putting the SUV into park.
“No,” I admit. I haven’t given it one thought. My parents and the people of my hometown wouldn’t believe it anyhow if they saw North. Troping might, but my hometown would laugh at the thought of me being with someone like him. “Have you?” It’s a stupid question because this is a small town that loves to gossip. Not in a mean way, but news spreads fast.
“Yes, I had to promise them a couple of Sunday dinners if they’d let me have some alone time with my new wife.”
“North!” I hiss, and my face rushes with heat “You did not say that to them. They’ll think…” I trail off, knowing I'm being ridiculous again. Of course everyone knows what we’ve been doing while holed up in the mayor’s place for two days.
“They’ll think that maybe they’ll get grandbabies soon.”
My mouth falls open because I can’t believe he said that. I watch him slip out of the SUV to come around and open the door for me. Is it a joke? It has to be. Right?
I’m still in shock as he takes my hand and leads me into the bakery then places my order for me without having to ask what I want. I know people are watching the two of us, but North keeps me tucked close to him. Everyone has been so welcoming since I came to town, but I’m still an outsider. People were always wondering who North would end up with, and I don’t think anyone ever thought it would be me. I know I hadn’t. Would it bother them?
“Coming right up,” Frostie says after North pays her. I expected her to be grilling the both of us with questions, but something is off with her.
She keeps looking behind us at one of the small tables, and I glance back to see Clause sitting there. He makes the thing look like a child’s table with his giant muscled body sitting in one of the chairs. I’ve only seen him a handful of times since he lives on the outskirts of town in a cabin. He always reminds me of a lumberjack, and I think he might be the only person in Troping that doesn’t care for Christmas or this town.
He glares toward Frostie, who pretends to not notice, but I see her peeking out of the corner of her eye. What the heck is going on between these two? And why isn’t Tinsel all over it? She always jokes he’s a serial killer, but her humor is clearly darker than mine.
“Did you see that?” I ask North when we get back into the car to make the short drive over to City Hall.
“Everyone staring at you? Yes.”
“What?” I laugh. “No one was staring at me.” I meant Clause, but now thoughts of him and Frostie are gone.
“I don’t like it,” North grunts, and I have no clue what he’s talking about.
Then again, that’s often the case with my new husband.