A Husband for the Holidays: A Battle of Wills, Small Town Romance by Keen Hilly

Author:Keen, Hilly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-11T00:00:00+00:00

I was right about the wine headache after the solstice bonfire, but I try to focus on wrapping up some work before the holidays are in full swing.

Will brings his laptop to The Base and plants himself at one of the open desks. I wasn’t going to charge him for the space, but he insists on buying a membership—the one-year plan, not the month-to-month. When Stuart told me my heart did a lopsided somersault. Will’s staying, just like he said.

Sometimes I find myself sitting with that thought. How do I feel about Will staying in Wavecrest? My answer has morphed minute by minute, but the sparky little thrill I get whenever I see him walk by my office or make friends with the other members is a giant clue.

He pops his head into my office, startling me out of my end-of-year tasks. “I’ll be right back.” Then he disappears, only to pop back in. “Don’t eat lunch until I get back.” Disappears. Reappears. “Please.” Then he’s gone.

A half hour later he’s back, holding a bag from Sakana Sushi, my favorite sushi place in town. He sets it on my desk and starts unpacking what looks like my usual order.

“How did you...how?” My mouth waters at the toro and unagi nigiri, and the large baked salmon roll.

He shrugs in that elegant, nonchalant way. “I asked what your regular was.” Simple as that. He pulls out two bottles of Sapporo beer and hands me one, and a set of chopsticks.

“Why?” I’m not sure what I’m asking. Why did you bring me my favorite lunch? Why are you in Wavecrest? Why can’t I stop thinking about you?

“I don’t need a reason to buy my wife lunch.” He winks at me and I melt a little. The word wife doesn’t irritate me anymore.

I pick up a piece of nigiri with my chopsticks, but before I can pop it in my mouth Will asks, “You ready for Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow?”

“Umm,” is my answer, then I pop the sushi in my mouth. It’s a very tasty delay tactic.

He’s looking down at his own lunch, rearranging the pieces. “Alice will be there if that helps. And my parents are usually pretty chill. They’ll love you.”

Will looks so unsure of himself that I want to lean across my desk and kiss him. “I am looking forward to it,” I say trying to make him feel better. “It’s just that I tend to avoid the holidays.”

“Do you do anything for them?” I hate the sad look on Will’s face when he asks.

“This time of year is a little rough for me. I try to keep my exposure to the cheer to a minimum.”

“You’re not close to your family?” I like that Will doesn’t beat around the bush when he asks me about my life. He said he wants to get to know me better and he’s taking the most direct route.

I shake my head. “My mom died when I was a toddler, so it was just me, my older brother, and my dad.

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