Fuck that. She really didn’t care about that either.
She would follow her gut wherever that took her.
“So you really liked that book, huh?” she asked, no chance at making it sound like a serious question when her smile was probably all over the place.
Nate’s deep and unrestrained laughter sounded of happiness and that was all Maddy could wish for at that moment.
“Let’s just say I will be looking forward to your suggestions from now on.”
They were still speaking so close to each other, it was almost as if they were sharing a secret, not casually conversing about books with vampire sex scenes.
Yes, she was no fool. She knew very well which parts he’d found ‘illuminating and educational.’ And she was happy to recommend many more books if this was the outcome she could look forward to.
They eventually separated a bit more, enough to resume walking, his arm again around her shoulders, hers around his trim waist. This time, Madison didn’t do it because she was cold. She was pretty sure she wouldn’t feel cold again for quite some time.
It just felt like an impossible feat to put more distance between them.
“Can I interest you in some hot cocoa?” Nate’s smooth voice startled her out of her spinning thoughts.
“Why, yes, kind sir.”
Nate’s chuckle transferred from his body to hers, reverberating through her.
“I’m sorry, are we English now?”
“Don’t expect me to sound logical right now. Something must have seriously got knocked around up there,” Maddy said, pointing at her head. To say she was still feeling slightly disoriented was the least.
In the best way.
“Hey, what are your plans for the holidays?” Maddy asked as they made their way to a coffee shop that was lit up with a bazillion Christmas lights just ahead of them. “Have you decorated yet?”
“No, not yet. We don’t really make a big deal out of the holidays at home. It’s not really the most wonderful time of the year for my family.” Nate’s lips tightened in a bitter smile.
“I’m sorry, Nate. I shouldn’t have assumed.” She shook her head at herself.
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it, Mads.” His easy words were tinged with sadness.
Maddy hated seeing him like this. There was probably a good reason behind Nate’s dejected confession but she didn’t want to pry. He could tell her if and when he felt ready.
“If nothing is fixed, we could do some of the fun things you suggested a while back. Or I could be your little Christmas helper and we could decorate your place together, I certainly have the height for it.” She paused, thinking she didn’t want to put pressure on him if he didn’t feel like it. “Or we could do absolutely nothing like that. We could ban Christmas and watch something scary instead,” Maddy offered with a smile that probably looked like a wince.
Nate’s eyes softened with a chuckle and pulled her closer into his embrace.
“We can do anything you want, Mads.” She could read the sincerity in his expression.
“Are you sure?” she asked though for good measure.
“I’m sure,” he nodded.
“Okay then. But just for honesty’s sake, you shouldn’t give me carte blanche with this kind of stuff. You might find yourself doing despicable things.”
Nate was shaking his head in laughter.
“Okay, fair, so how about this. You get to do your despicable things and I get to choose something scary to watch to even things out.”
Maddy sighed. “Yeah, okay. I’ll probably spend the whole time with my face buried in my hands anyway.”
“No worries, Mads. It will be nothing you can’t handle. Promise.”
