Early Bird Special Read Online Free Page B

came out earlier and earlier these days, this year already starting in October. I slowed my pace as I passed every decorated tree, from the one covered in purples and pinks from the top to the bottom, to the fake Douglas Fir filled with ornaments from every old time movie imaginable. The needles poked me gently as I grazed my hand down the branch.
    "Careful."
    A needle jabbed my hand as I jumped. I shook my hand to ease the pain, and, as I turned around, Shane stood there. He smiled, and reached out for me. I went to grab his hand, until I realized he only intended to point to my wound.
    "Sorry. You okay?"
    I pressed my other hand against where the needle pricked me, and the skin began to itch. "Yeah. I'll be fine."
    We stared at each other, and I took in his fluttering eyes, dark hair, and imagined his scruff scratching me as he kissed me. When we first met, I didn't realize how cute he was. Of course, when I first met him outside, he was anything short of annoying.
    "Can I help you find anything?"
    "What?" I shook my head. Find anything? Did I come for something? "Oh!" Is this what people meant when they referred to being love struck? I mean, I wasn't in love, obviously, but my heart sure sped up. "Sorry. No."
    "Back so soon, then? Did you forget something?"
    Shoot. What the hell was I supposed to say? "Um ...." Right now I wanted to take every pine in that tree and stick myself with it. At least that would be less painful than this.
    "Tell you what, Francie, when you think of what it is, come find me. I'll be over in toys."
    He started to walk away, but I found myself calling out his name. "Shane!"
    Think. Think. Think. He turned around and I blurted, "Got a second to chat?"
    "Sure." He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and checked the time. "I'm about due for a break. I really don't want to hang out in the store. I know it's cold, but do you want to head outside?"
    I was so nervous I doubted the cold would even bother me. I followed him through the "restricted" double doors, a spark of danger igniting me as we entered the the territory. He led me through a small stocking area to a steel door leading outside. He snatched his jacket from a hook and tossed it on before we went out.
    The air wasn't as bitter in the back of the building. The wind moved past us instead of against us, my hair only lightly grazing my face. The building overlooked more buildings, not providing much in the way of scenery. Shane would have to do. I was okay with that.
    A bench sat against the the wall, and Shane motioned for me to take a seat. Even through my jeans the bench was freezing. I shoved my hands underneath my butt. "It's sure cold out." I stumbled over the words to begin a conversation, but at least it was a start.
    Shane took a seat next to me, so close his knees almost touched mine. "It's only November. If you think this is cold, just wait."
    The winter months weren't my favorite. The cold weather wasn't even the culprit. Okay, I wasn't a fan, but the winter months my business slowed down as well. Occasionally someone hired me for a holiday party, but my business boomed in the summer months. Weddings, graduations, people hired me for all their gatherings. My income decreased significantly between October and April. "I hate the winter."
    "Really? I love it. I especially enjoy this time of year."
    "You like you're working today? I can't believe stores are now opening on Thanksgiving."
    He crossed his legs. "I don't mind. I don't have anything else going on."
    "You don't?" My family and I may spend Thanksgiving (and the day after Thanksgiving) hitting up deals around town, but we still sat down for a meal together at some point in the day. How could he not have any plans?
    Shane touched his finger to his chin. "I get that reaction a lot. Actually, we celebrate whenever we can. My mom is a nurse and often works the holidays. My dad is a cop, so, same deal. And I'm an only child."
    My chance presented itself. "My brother Teddy and me