Christmas on Main Collection

Epilogue

Epilogue

CHRISTMAS EVE

AURORA

“Can I take off the blindfold?” I ask.

I’m tempted to make some kind of joke about how we should add this blindfold to the bedroom, but with my luck, he'd pull it off, and I'd find us surrounded by most of the town.

“I fully intend on using it later with you,” Paz says. Without looking, I know we must be all alone.

My foot catches on something hard, and I nearly topple over, but Paz is quick to catch me.

“Careful,” he says. “Is this going to be a thing with you?”

“That’s entirely possible.” I chuckle. “Is that a deal breaker with you?”

“Nothing about you is a deal breaker.”

I suddenly feel the scruff of his beard on my cheek as he kisses me.

I want more, but since we are outside, I don't think getting caught having sex on the roof only a few days after getting caught in the shop would be a good idea.

“Can I take this off?” I ask.

“Not yet.” He lets go of my hand. “Don’t move.”

“There’s no chance of that,” I say. I’ve already almost fallen once. I don’t want to do it again.

With my eyes covered, my other senses kick into overdrive. I can still hear the sounds of the people in town, but somehow, they sound far away. Are we on the roof? Paz did lead me up some stairs, but I’ve never been up here before. I didn’t even know that we could get up here.

Suddenly, there's a sound of a cord being pulled quickly, followed by the rumble of a motor. I can't imagine what he has planned, but I can't wait to find out. Paz was gone all morning and told me it was because he had to travel two towns over to get my Christmas present.

The anticipation of what it could be is almost killing me. Something cold hits my cheek and then another on my arm.

“Is it raining?” I ask, reaching out for Paz.

He chuckles. “No.”

“Then what is it?” I ask as he helps me peel the mask back off my face. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust. The night sky is inky black, and the lights from the surrounding businesses are burning bright.

We are on the roof, but I’m still not sure what this has to do with my Christmas present.

“Look up,” Paz instructs me.

I do, and that's when I see them. The fluffy white flecks of snow fall down over both of us. My mind knows that it's artificial. We are in a part of California where there isn't snow, but my heart still soars at the sight of it. This is the best present he could have given me.

“I love it,” I say, reaching out and trying to catch the flakes. “How did you do this?”

"I have a friend who works in Hollywood, and he helped me find a place to rent a snow machine.”

“This is incredible. I love it almost as much as I love you.”

He beams with pride and pulls me into his arms.

"I just wish I could give you your gift up here," I say, and I show him the strap of my new bra.

Paz takes a step to the left to show me a small tent, all set up with what looks like a cozy bed situation inside.

“You really thought of everything.” I laugh.

“I tried.”

“Old me would want to capture this moment to share with my followers, but I think I want this only between us.”

“Well,” Paz wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. “We could still use the camera.”

“Let’s do this.”