Free A Curvy Christmas by Harmony Raines Page B

at you.”
    “Ahh, a challenge. That’s more like it.” Greg pulled his coat on, and wrapped his scarf around his neck, finally digging his gloves out of his pockets and pulling them on.
    “I’m a good shot,” she countered.
    “So am I.”
    He grabbed her hand, and they ran out of the apartment, and into the falling snow. Other people had come out to enjoy the sight too, and the air was filled with happy voices, and snow balls.
    Robin balled some of the cold white powder up, and threw it at Greg, who ducked. In return he snatched up a handful of snow and threw it, hitting Robin on the arm.
    She ran after him, well waddled in all her clothes, laughing as she managed to land one in his face, timing it perfectly as looked back to throw a snowball at her.
    “Yuck,” he shouted, and she collapsed into laughter, while he tried to stop the melting snow disappearing inside his coat.
    “Sorry,” she said, laughing, and going to him to help him. But as she reached him he gathered up a handful of snow and pressed it into her face, leaving her gasping, and nearly turning the air blue with her language. “And I thought you were a gentleman.”
    “All is fair in love and war,” he laughed. “OK. Truce, I want us to still be on speaking terms by the time I show you my surprise.”
    “Funny way of showing it,” she said, still trying to recover from the shock of the cold snow against her warm skin.
    “Come on, I’ll warm you up later.” He grabbed her hand and raced off, with Robin slipping and sliding behind him.

Chapter Fourteen - Greg
    As they approached the building, he felt suddenly nervous. What if she completely hated the idea? After all she had shared with him today, this might just prove to be too much for her. But she had trusted him with her past, hopefully she would trust him with their future.
    Other people were passing them by, some walking slowly with their faces up to the sky, catching the falling snowflakes in their mouths. Others were weaving along the road, filled with too much Christmas cheer, and going home to sleep it off. It always amazed him how differently people celebrated Christmas. He suspected all those with children were making their final preparations before the new day dawned and excited faces appeared much too early, filled with eagerness to see what Santa had brought them. One day he hoped to have that ritual to go through, he hoped it would be Robin at his side, their children excitedly opening presents under the tree.
    “Here,” he said at last.
    “Did the snow get into your brain? This is an empty building.”
    “Ahh. It’s more than that, it’s an empty building filled with possibilities.”
    “What are you up to Greg?” She cupped her hands around her face and pressed it to the window. The space was big, in need of a good clean and a coat of paint.
    He took his glove off and put his hand in his pocket, drawing out the key. Fiddling with the cold metal, he managed to put it in the lock and turn it. Pushing the door, he stepped inside, and then turned to offer Robin his hand. “Coming in?”
    Looking intrigued she took his hand and followed him, her gloves cold and wet against his skin.
    “Another new enterprise?” she asked, looking around whilst he locked the door behind them.
    “That depends,” he said, smiling nervously. No. This was definitely not as easy as he thought it would be. He didn’t know her well enough to have done this.
    “On what?” She followed him deeper inside, the street lights illuminating the space just enough for them to see.
    “You.”
    Now she looked scared. “What do you mean, me?”
    “I saw this today, and something made me think of you. You and all that wonderful food you make.”
    “Is this a new gallery? Do you want me to cater for the opening party? I’ve never done anything like that, Greg. I’m not sure.”
    He took a deep breath, now he knew how nervous she must have felt telling him about her past. This was the most