Candy Canes in Chicago: Holiday Instalove Romance by Mazzy King

Author:Mazzy King [King, Mazzy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MZK Publishing
Published: 2021-12-06T16:00:00+00:00

Seven

Jack

At five thirty, I pull into Alice’s driveway, practically on fire with anticipation. It’s already dark out, but that’s the perfect backdrop for what I have planned for tonight.

I hop out of the truck and head to the front door, then ring the bell. A moment later, it opens, and the most beautiful woman in the world beams out at me. She’s dressed in snug dark jeans, a roomy chestnut sweater that falls off one rounded, golden shoulder, and calf-high cognac boots. They’ve got a chunky heel, but they’re flat, which is good since we’re going to be doing some walking. Her cheeks are slightly flushed, and her eyes are bright.

Looks like she’s looking forward to tonight too.

“You look gorgeous,” I tell her.

She smiles, tucking a lock of dark hair behind her ear. “Thank you. I hope I dressed okay for your plans?”

“You look amazing.”

She giggles softly. “Okay. Let me grab my coat.” She reaches for a camel-colored peacoat and a chunky scarf. “Grandma,” she calls up the staircase. “I’m leaving.” She glances at me. “She’s watching movies and eating snacks in bed with Frisker. She’s very cozy.”

“Okay, hon,” I faintly hear Alice reply. “You have a wonderful time. Goodnight, Jack!”

I grin. “Goodnight, Alice.”

We head outside, and I open the truck door for her. It’s about a forty-five-minute drive to the city. We listen to Christmas music and chat the rest of the way. Sophie opens up to me about her situation with her parents, their fraught relationship, and the fact that they’re going to be in town in a few days...to see her.

“I still haven’t really decided how I feel about it,” she admits.

I glance over, then lightly place my hand on top of hers. “There couldn’t be a better time to make amends. Right?”

She gives me a small smile. “You might be right. So...Norah wasn’t upset about you leaving?”

I acknowledge her change of subject and won’t push on the topic of her parents. “A little, but not too much. She and my parents are going to have a Christmas movie marathon, so she’s pretty excited about that. She’ll be asleep when I get back anyway, so she won’t miss me too much.” I’m definitely second fiddle to Koda and Bear anyway, I’ve come to realize, so as long as she’s with them, she’s a happy girl.

We coast into the city, and I head for the Loop. We snag a spot in a parking garage, then head out into the evening.

The Loop is ablaze with Christmas lights and cheer. I glance over at Sophie, and can’t help smiling at the way her face lights up. I thought she could use some Christmas cheer, and it seems I was right.

“To your left,” I say in a cheesy tour guide voice, “you’ll see the historic department store Macy’s, which is famed for their holiday window displays.” I gesture as we come upon the huge building.”

“I’ve never seen these in person!” Eagerly, Sophie pulls me toward the window to look at the first of the brightly colored displays.

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