by Kellie Bean
Mom nods along, still watching me. “So, after careful consideration, we’ve decided to end our deal early. We think you’ve proven that you can juggle more than anyone else in this family, and all with a sense of determination we both admire.”
The words are barely out of my mom’s mouth before I jump up and out of the chair, rushing over to hug both of my parents. “Really!?” I ask, my arms still wrapped around dad’s neck, checking to make sure this isn’t some weird Christmas fever-dream.
“Really.” Dad says. “I’ll do you one better. We’re not going to make you stay here and talk it all out, when I’m sure there is somewhere you’d much rather be right now. We really like John, I’m sure he’s already wondering where you are.”
I’m out the door in ten seconds flat.
It’s already dark out, but the nearly full moon reflecting against the snow creates a magical glow as I make my way through Fairview toward the shelter.
Towards John.
I make it there in record time.
As soon as Fairview’s animal shelter comes into into view, my heart starts to race.
I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this nervous around a guy before, and I’m not even with him yet.
I’m so excited that I soon find myself walking a bit faster, right up until I make it to the front door.
This is it. A whole forty-five days before I thought it would happen.
Reece: I’m here. But come outside first. I’ve got a surprise for you.
John meets me on the walkway that leads from the sidewalk to the shelter’s front door.
I don’t say anything at all, b as soon as he leans in for a hug, I plant a quick kiss on his lips, pulling back after to see his expression.
“What was that for?” He asks. Even in the near-dark, I can see him blushing, which only makes me want to kiss him again, something I’ll get to do very, very soon.
“My parents let me off early for good behavior!” I joke. “We don’t need to wait forty-five days.”
“You’re not kidding?” He asks, sounding a bit bewildered.
“I never kid about kissing.”
I move in more slowly this time, letting myself savor the anticipation for a few seconds more before our lips touch again.
Our next kiss, our first real kiss is a little awkward at first. Seeing as John confessed to me a few weeks ago that he’d never actually kissed anyone before, I’m not surprised. Soon, my toes are tingling from more than just the cold.
I press my body closer to John’s, partly for warmth and partly because I’ve waited so long to be able to touch him like this.
It’s everything I imagined and so much more. Soon, the kiss leaves me breathless, forcing me to pull away while I remind myself to breathe.
“Merry Christmas.” I whisper.
“Merry Christmas.” John answers.
A dog barks from inside the building, and our moment is gone. Which is totally okay, since I know we’re going to have so many more just like it or even better.
For now, we’ve got some Christmas dog treats to go deliver.
Hand in hand, John and I head inside the animal shelter, back to the same place we first met only a few months earlier.
Back then, I never could have imagined getting to this moment. I don’t think I could have imagined much of anything that has happened since the end of summer vacation.
Instead, it is all so much better.
Also by Kellie Bean
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About the Author
Kellie Sheridan, writing as Kellie Bean.
Kellie lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and their labradoodle, Piper. And because one dog is never enough, she frequently hosts other canine visitors as a dog-sitter.
When not playing with puppies, Kellie runs Patchwork Press, along with writing her own books for young adults. Her life is basically all dogs, all the time, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Learn more at kelliesheridan.com