A Very Grumpy Thanksgiving (Wolf Valley: A Very Grumpy Holiday #3)

Chapter 3

THREE

Saffron

I love mornings in the bookstore, the quiet before the rush of regulars who come in for their latest reads or to sip on coffee while browsing the shelves. Shelf Indulgence had become my little corner of the world, a safe space where I could escape into books and stories—where everything made sense.

But today, I can’t seem to focus. My mind keeps drifting back to yesterday, to the feel of Nolan’s hands on my waist, steadying me when I’d nearly fallen off the roof. His touch had been firm but surprisingly gentle. And for just a moment, as he caught me, I’d let myself imagine that I was the heroine in one of my novels, and Nolan was the brooding hero coming to my rescue.

But that’s not real life, I remind myself. Nolan isn’t some fictional knight in shining armor. He’s just my grumpy neighbor, a man who barely speaks to me, let alone sees me the way I secretly wished he would.

I sigh, running my fingers along the spine of a book I was supposed to be shelving. The truth was, I had a stupid crush on him. I’d noticed him the moment he moved in next door, tall and brooding, with that jawline that looked like it belonged on the cover of one of my romance novels. But he hadn’t noticed me—not really. Not until yesterday, anyway.

The bell above the door jingles, and I glance up, expecting to see one of my regulars, but when my eyes land on Nolan standing in the doorway, all thoughts of shelving books fly right out of my head.

“Nolan?” I blurt, my heart skipping a beat.

He never comes into the bookstore. In fact, I’d never seen him set foot in here before. I’d always figured he wasn’t much of a reader.

He doesn’t say anything at first, just stands there, looking around the store like he’s searching for something. Or someone.

“Are you... looking for anything in particular?” I ask, my voice coming out a little higher than usual. I tried to steady my nerves, but it was hard when he was standing there, all serious and intense.

His gaze flicks to mine, and for a moment, I could have sworn the air between us shifted. “Yeah,” he says slowly, his voice low and rough. “I’m looking for you.”

My heart thuds in my chest.

Me? He couldn’t possibly mean that the way it sounded.

It feels like something straight out of a romance novel, and I swallow hard, trying to rein in the flood of feelings threatening to overwhelm me.

“What... what do you mean?” I manage, my voice is a little shaky as I force myself to meet his eyes.

Nolan steps further into the store, his presence suddenly filling the space in a way that makes it hard to breathe.

“I need to talk to you about something,” he says, his tone serious, and I can tell by the look on his face that this isn’t just a casual visit.

“Okay,” I say slowly, setting down the book I’d been holding. “What’s going on?”

He runs a hand through his dark hair, glancing toward the front door to make sure no one else is around before turning back to me. “I... I told my family that we’re dating.”

I blink, certain I haven’t heard him right. “What? You what?”

“I told my mom we were dating,” he repeats, rubbing the back of his neck, looking slightly uncomfortable. “It just... slipped out.”

My heart sinks. Oh. So that was why he was here. This wasn’t some romantic declaration. This was a mess.

“How does that just…slip out? Why would you do that?” I ask, feeling a knot of disappointment form in my chest.

I try to ignore that sinking feeling as I study him.

Nolan sighs, stepping closer to me, his eyes meeting mine. “Because my mom’s been trying to set me up with half the town, and I just... panicked, okay? I told her I was seeing someone, and when she asked me who, the first name that popped into my head was yours.”

I stare at him, trying to process what he was saying. “So... you lied.”

“Yeah,” he admits. “And now she expects me to bring you to Thanksgiving.”

The room feels suddenly smaller like the walls are closing in.

Thanksgiving with Nolan’s family? Pretending to be his girlfriend?

I open my mouth to say something, but no words came out.

“I know it’s a lot,” Nolan says quickly, his tone softer now. “But I’m here to make you a deal.”

“A deal?” I echo, my mind racing.

He nods, his expression serious. “I’ve seen you trying to fix up that house, Saffron. You’re going to hurt yourself—or worse—if you keep going at it alone.”

I bristle a little, even though he isn’t wrong. “I’m managing,” I mumble, though we both know I’m not.

Nolan crosses his arms, his gaze steady. “Let me help. I’ll fix the house, get it into shape so you don’t kill yourself trying to do it. In exchange, you come to Thanksgiving with me. Just pretend to be my girlfriend for one day, and we’ll call it even.”

I stare at him, my mind spinning. This feels like something straight out of one of my romance books—a grumpy, brooding hero making a deal with the heroine, all in the name of convenience. But this wasn’t a story. This was real life.

“Why me?” I ask quietly, my heart pounding. “You could have told your mom you were dating anyone. Why pick me?”

Nolan hesitates, his jaw tightening for a moment before he speaks. “Because... you’re the only person I could think of. You’re my neighbor. We see each other all the time. It just made sense.”

I don’t know what to say. Part of me wants to turn him down, to tell him this was ridiculous. But another part of me—an embarrassingly large part,is tempted. I need help with the house. That much was obvious. And spending more time with Nolan? I can’t deny that the thought makes my heart flutter.

But can I really do this? Can I pretend to be his girlfriend and not let my feelings get in the way? I already have a crush on him, and the last thing I need is to fall for him even more. I’m not sure my heart could take it.

“I don’t know,” I say, biting my lip as I look away.

“I’m not asking for much, Saffron,” Nolan says, his voice gentle. “Just one day. One Thanksgiving. In exchange, I’ll fix up your house, and you won’t have to worry about getting hurt trying to do it yourself.”

It was tempting. So tempting. And the truth was, I needed help. The house was too much for me to handle alone, and I couldn’t afford to hire anyone. Nolan’s offer was a lifeline.

But what about my heart?

I swallow hard, trying to push down the rush of emotions swirling inside me. “Okay,” I say finally, my voice soft. “It’s a deal.”

Nolan’s blue eyes met mine, and for just a moment, I think I see something flicker in his expression—something deeper, something real. But then it’s gone, replaced by the same stoic mask he always wears.

“Good,” he says, nodding once. “I’ll come by tomorrow and take a look at the house.”

I nod, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and dread settle over me. “Okay.”

As Nolan turns to leave, I watch him go, my heart still racing. This isn’t a romance novel, I remind myself. This is just a deal—a simple arrangement.

Now, I just have to make sure I don’t fall in love with him even more.