“Yes, those big arms, very impressive,” Kim sighs in a way that almost makes me uncomfortable. Not that I can blame her, because he does have—no. No more thinking about his arms!
“Yes, well, we can’t be at everything. We were in the city. We just got home.”
“The city,” they both grumble with unbridled disgust. Tyrone says something in the corner that sounds like, “Here we go.”
“Your Gran told us all about the city, all about your big fancy life, big fancy job, big fancy friends, meanwhile Cheryl was—”
“Bobbie!”
“I know!” I snap. Because I do know. Gran, Cheryl to them, was getting sick and fading away and I was living in the rat race ofthe city, trying to keep up. Trying to help Theo and help Jack and help Skye and who was helping Gran?
I left, and my brother followed in my footsteps, tripping and falling on his face. And where did all of that leave us? Him laying low out of state and me, right back here, no fancy job, no savings, no fiancé, no brother, no best friend and most days, no Gran. “I know,” I soften my voice. “I should have been here for Gran and I wasn’t and I’m sorry. I’m doing the best I can now.”
“And you have Benedict,” Kim adds.
“Right, yeah, now he and I can be here for her. Too little, too late, I know, but it’s something,” my voice cracks as a big hand grabs my shoulder. Tyrone pulls me into a side hug.
“We’re just glad to have you back is what she meant to say.” The sweet old man says with a gentle tone, though I’m betting his face above my head is giving the Aunties some wicked side-eye.
“Yes, we are,” Kim agrees.
Bobbie clears her throat, “Well, you should have started decorating. You know judging starts December first.”
“She knows, Barbara Ann, she’s lived here her whole life.” He shifts to look down at me. “How many years d’you help me with this place the week of Thanksgiving, huh?”
“It was the least lame shop in Juniper Falls. Still is,” I shrug, remembering helping him hang lights and set up all kinds of decor throughout the fall. The town votes for the best decorated business and best decorated home each year, and, in an effort to maximize tourism, the longer the decor is up, the more points you get. The week of Thanksgiving became a bit of a Hell Week, everyone not only making Thanksgiving dinners but also trying to one-up the Christmas decor from the year before.
Decor, not lights. Because it includes the inside and outside. Because this town is unhinged.
“Yes, but now judging doesn’t stop until Christmas Day,” Kim says excitedly.
“What?” My eyes go wide. It used to be that you had two weeks to decorate. Now I can only imagine how the insanity just builds and builds until Christmas Eve.Too bad if the gifts aren’t wrapped and there’s no Christmas dinner, kids, we gotta add another inflatable snowman out front!
“You won’t need the extra time because you’re rich now! No one can compete with a billionaire, not with that house on the hill.”
I don’t bother asking how they know which house Ben bought because of course they know. For a moment I think about protesting. But no matter the logic—we both work, it wouldn’t be fair, we are, in fact, sane—they won’t hear it. It’s Christmas in Juniper Falls. You decorate your house inside and out. The end.
“I’m sure he’ll want to keep it simple,” I say instead. They all harrumph in reply. I pretend my phone is buzzing, knowing they won’t question not hearing the sound. “Oh, that’s probably him now! I better take this!”
I make a quick exit.
I inhale the chilly air and walk toward Harper’s for an afternoon pick-me-up.
That was too much.
Too much chatting, too much guilt.
Maybe that’s what I get for trying to avoid my husband. I figured I would just slip out early this morning. I didn’t expect him to come back to Juniper Falls with me, but I guess the jet is here? And I think he just wanted the time together, which we mostly spent arguing about holiday traditions. A surprise to no one, he pretty-much loves all of it and I’m the opposite.
Still, we knew each other’s answers and arguments and somehow we still laughed so much. How does he keep doing that? Is he getting funnier?
He’s definitely getting hotter.
Now that I’ve seen the muscles he’s hiding, I’m constantly sneaking second glances at his ass, his chest, those wide shoulders. He’s absolutely wearing shirts that are a size too small and I’m not complaining.
Now that I’ve heard his other, deeper voice…Let me see you. Come for me.
Now that I’ve seen his face when he’s at my mercy.
