Free Sleeping With Santa by Debra Druzy Page A

we’re moving.” He pulled her closer to benefit from the protection of his body against the whipping wind. “Which way should we go?”
    She tugged him in the opposite direction of the Scenic View Inn and any chance of renting a room there for the night.
    The stores were all closed along Main Street, but their holiday lights sparkled in full festiveness, making it feel more like Christmas than Thanksgiving. No traffic tonight. Just a few pedestrians. Other than that, it was like having the whole town to themselves.
    They strolled by Violet’s Valise, a lingerie shop in a purple Victorian-style building. Nick slowed the pace to browse the window dressing.
    “Those mannequins are a helluva lot better looking than ones we use for CPR training, dontcha think?” Two wore sheer red and white nighties with feathery trim. The third had painted-on silver pants and a shimmery camisole.
    She grabbed his elbow. “Let’s keep going.”
    “No. Let’s wait for them to open in ten hours.” He wrapped her in his arms. “We’ll start a line.”
    Suddenly playing coy, she shooed his hands away. “Quit it.”
    He didn’t let her get away so easy. “Why ya being so shy? I’m only teasing. I don’t like this stuff anyway.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.”
    “No, really. I prefer cotton and fleece over satin and—what is that?” He pressed his face to the glass. “Silk or something? Who likes that stuff? Give me some sturdy rayon or a polyester-blend—now that’s a fabric I can get into.”
    “You’re crazy.” She laughed.
    “Crazy about you.” He kissed her forehead. “But I’m serious. I especially like my underwear fireproof.”
    “Well, then, there’s nothing in Violet’s for you.”
    “What about you?” There was plenty that would look good on her. Better yet, scattered on the floor.
    “There’s nothing for me either.”
    “That’s not true.” He rocked her in a slow dance on the sidewalk. “I wanna take you shopping there sometime. You don’t have to get anything too—”
    “ Slutty ?”
    “I was gonna say revealing.”
    “But you mean slutty.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with slutty.”
    “Oh, really? If you like it so much, then maybe you should go after a girl like Britney. She seems interested in you, in case you didn’t notice.”
    “Yeah, I have noticed. But she’s a little too aggressive for my taste. There’s nothing wrong with wearing something a little slutty, as long as you’re wearing it for me and no one else.”
    “I don’t think so.” She pulled him away from the window.
    Nick’s stomach growled as they approached the aromatic air emanating from diner. “Hungry yet?”
    Lily flashed incredulous eyes, then glared through the glass where Britney stood behind the register. “Uh, no, thanks. I’d rather starve.” She quickened the pace.
    “Are you sure you don’t wanna talk about it?”
    “Talk about what?” She snatched her hand away.
    “Aww, come on, Lily.” He stopped in the crosswalk, caught her shoulders, and spun her to face him. “You can tell me what’s up with you two—why she has it in for you.”
    “She doesn’t like me ’cause I dated her brother. Years ago. In high school. I don’t like talking about it—same as you don’t like talking about your ex-wife .” She grinned smartly, zapping him where it hurt, and he took the bullet, not wanting to upset her by pushing the issue beyond the comfort zone.
    At the sight of oncoming headlights, Nick nudged her across the street.
    She stopped in front of Mr. Lucky’s door as some patrons stumbled out, bringing the warmth with them. “Want to go in?”
    “Wouldn’t you rather keep walking?”
    “Just one drink.”
    With a low, reluctant groan, he pulled the door handle for her. “Sure. Just one.”
    It was dark and jam-packed with post-Thanksgiving partiers. The hot, rancid air was a repulsive alternative to being wind blasted, but she wanted to come here. He couldn’t refuse.
    She