Booked for the Holidays (Park Cove Series Book 1)

by Chelsea Curto

there aren't many things in life better than a coffee and a good book on a cloudy afternoon.

Theo Gardner is breathtaking when he smiles.

“The perk about not talking to people is that they don’t have a problem with oversharing around me.” “Oh my god, Theo, thank you. You’re my hero.”

Her eyes–not quite green, not quite brown, a color stuck somewhere in the middle–are creased around the edges, laugh lines indicating years of pure euphoria. Her smile stretches from corner to corner. I’m not sure I’ve seen a more stunning sight.

She’s really fucking pretty.

I also realize my name on her lips sounds nice, really, really nice, even with impatience behind it. That’s distracting, and not good at all.

So here we are. Me, revealing a part of my life to you that not many people know about, and freaking the fuck out in the process.”

Lucky that he trusts me with this precious information. Lucky that I get to witness a part of him he doesn’t broadcast to the world. Lucky that I get to hear the prideful tone his voice takes when he says how thrilled he is with his daughter.

For the first time, I see him in his full, magnificent splendor. Shit, he’s beautiful. And hot as hell.

“You should do that more,” I whisper. His eyes, cautious and guarded, meet mine. “Do what?” “Be happy.” “Not many people give me a reason to be happy.” A pause, then, “But I think you might. Maybe.”

I kind of wanted to grab her cheeks, yank her to me and kiss her, right there, in the middle of the store on a Tuesday afternoon, just to see how she would react. I think she would have liked it. I would have liked it, too. Shit.

That goddamn mouth and the way she looks at me not like I’m someone to toss to the side, but like I’m someone to keep around. No one’s looked at me like that for a long time.

“Oh! My favorite comedian. Farley Jones. Shit. Wait. No, she got married, so I think it’s Farley Harrigan now. She’s a genius. There’s this diarrhea joke she tells and–never mind. I’d butcher it.”

Funny Feeling reference!

Doctor. Teacher. Stay-at-Home Mom. Boxer. I don’t give a crap. I want her to speak her mind, yell loudly about the things that make her happy, and not let anyone push her around.”

I think my location and time of death might be here and now.

he's done lol

“I think I could get used to being around you, Bridget Boylston.”

“I’ve been used to you for a while now, Theo Gardner, but take your time catching up. I want you to be sure. Once you start, there’s no going back.”

“I think this has the potential to be the best Christmas I’ve had in a while,” he murmurs. “Maybe ever. The jury is still out, but we’ll see.”

Sex shouldn’t be a divisive topic. We shouldn’t be ashamed of the books we read, the positions we like, or the names we want to be called in bed. We’re allowed to be loyal partners and attentive mothers, hard-working business owners, teachers or lawyers and be vocal about what satisfies us. You don’t have to pick and choose.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to getting on my knees for you, Boylston, if that’s where you want me. But it wouldn’t just be to ask for forgiveness.”

This is the moment–the horrifyingly, spectacular, incredible moment–I realize I have a crush on Theo Gardner.

I’m so… I’m so fucking excited to be her dad. And the coolest part is I’m not just a dad. I’m a girl dad, and it’s the best fucking role in the entire world. How lucky am I?”

“You have so much depth, Theo,” she starts. My name is sweet like honey, each syllable dripping in decadence and something akin to care. “I understand why you try to keep people out, but you have so much to offer. I’m so sorry anyone’s ever told you otherwise. You’re not difficult. You’re not hostile or unpleasant. You’re a little prickly, but that’s okay. Even roses have thorns. You’re loyal. Passionate. You have so much love in your heart to give and nowhere to share it because you think, and rightfully so, someone’s going to snatch it and never return. You’re… you. And it’s a really, really wonderful you.”

So if you think you’re flawed, I guess I’m flawed too, because I like those parts of you. And if being someone who

likes your flaws is wrong, then screw being right.”

“I said: you’re an idiot. I should probably throw a fucking in there, too. Yeah. Let me amend my previous statement. You’re a fucking idiot.”

Having to learn this part of life is overwhelming. It means she’s not a kid anymore. Being a woman sucks, like, 83% of the time. Between periods, birth control, having to wear a bra, underwear that goes up your ass, catcalls and taunts from men who don’t understand what no means, and having your heart broken when you least expect it, some days are bleak as hell. I told her it only gets easier from here, because being a woman is also totally badass.”

“I hate that I went out with someone else, but I needed to do it. I’ve thought about kissing you for goddamn days, and I can’t get you out of my head. I think about you when I go to sleep and when I wake up in the morning. I needed to know my feelings toward you weren’t just because I haven’t been with anyone in a while. I had to figure out if this was deeper than surface-level attraction or because you’re a beautiful woman. And it is. The date was only fine because I knew within two seconds I wasn’t interested. She didn’t make me laugh like you do. She didn’t smile at me like you do. When I got home and found you in my bed, hair sprawled out over my pillow, with an arm around my daughter I realized no one else will ever be you. That date solidified it would be the last I go on with someone who isn’t you, Bridget.”

“Fuck being your friend,” I say, using his words back on him. “I want you more.”

“So don’t. Ruin me for anyone else.” She’s a smart woman, and I’d be wise to listen to her. So, I do. I do ruin her.

“Good.” A thrust. “Fucking.” Another thrust. “Girl.” A third.

People say my name every day, but hearing him utter the word is my favorite thing in the whole world.

I want to live life with this man by my side.

“I’ve never felt like someone has seen me before.” “I do.” His voice is quiet, almost a whisper. “And I don’t plan to stop anytime soon.”

“Trust me, Bridge. Love doesn’t care who the person is. It doesn’t care how long you’ve known them. It doesn’t care if they treat you like a queen or barely know your name. When it wants to find a way, it will. There’s no playbook, unfortunately, telling us what’s right or wrong. No cheat code or answer sheet to figuring this shit out. It’s something you feel inside of you. Love is a blessing, but it’s also a goddamn curse.”

I always thought the fairy tale ending when you found the one would be pretty and follow a straight line. It doesn’t, though. It isn’t always perfect. It has roadblocks and mistakes.

A man who sees me, all of me, and still leans close, squeezes my knee twice and whispers, “Stay the night with me?”

“You’ve given me so much joy and happiness. So much direction. I can only hope I give you the same. I want to jump into pools with my clothes on and I want to dance in the fucking rain. I want to have food fights and important conversations. I want you, Bridget, more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”

For him, I’d move mountains. For him, I’d agree to everything and more.

I want to do what makes me happy. Turns out, you make me the happiest guy in the fucking world. So whatever you want is fine with me. You’re up there with Mac for me, angel. There’s no one more important than you two.”

I’m her lifeline, keeping her afloat. A place of warmth and peace. And she’s my anchor; steady. Secure. Withstanding even the roughest seas.

“I’m going to do my best to get you to smile like that every day damn, because it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

I’m glad you put out those blueberry muffins three years ago. I’m glad you didn’t toss them in the trash. I’m glad you waited for me to come back, because you’re everything I never thought existed. But you do, and I’m the lucky fuck who gets to spend every day with you.”

Bridget Camden Boylston. Maker of blueberry muffins. Keeper of my heart. Dog owner, book lover, woman I adore. Will you be my girlfriend and stay a while?”

That smile is my favorite thing in the world.

“I love you so very much, sweetheart. You don’t have to say it back. I just wanted you to know. My heart is yours. Keep it, please. Don’t ever return it.”

“It’s on your list. It makes you happy, so we’re doing it. I’d dance with you in the rain any day of the week, though.”

The chapters with you are my favorite, and it’s a tale I could read over and over again, never growing tired of it. You are the love of my life, Bridget Boylston. The reason I went through years of suffering, because whatever higher power out there knew I needed you, specifically, to be complete. And, fuck, are you not my perfect other half.”

“I love you, Theo Gardner. I want to make blueberry muffins with you by my side for the rest of my life. I want to watch you try to find your glasses until you give up and ask for my help. I want to share a bed with you and too many animals. I want to fight with you and then kiss you senseless five minutes later, because you know I can’t stay mad at you. I hate that you had to suffer, but I’m so glad the universe led me to you.”

“I love you, Bridget. I can’t wait to eat blueberry muffins with you for the rest of our lives.”