“It’s everything I’m willing to share with you.”
I throw my hand over my chest. “Ouch. Here I thought we were mates.”
“Guilt doesn’t work on me.”
What a load of blether. Curiosity writhes like a snake within me. I need to know what she’s not telling me and what sort of thing she thinks she should keep from me. Over the last week, I’d thought we’d broken down more barriers than that.
It’s a wee bit disappointing, if I’m being honest.
“Are these the trees, Gavin?” Ruby calls.
My attention snaps to the rest of the group. They’re all waiting up ahead, watching us, except for Violet. Luna especially has a satisfied look on her face.
Callie was right. Her sister is eager to find her a partner in the UK. Apparently she’ll even settle for Scotland if it means having her in the same time zone.
“These are the trees.” I sweep my arm out to indicate the copse on my land. “Violet, you may select the Christmas tree so long as it fits in the house.”
Violet’s eyes light up. She squeals, jumping in the air like a hot piece of buttered corn before running toward the pine trees. Snow crunches beneath our boots as the adults follow her, admiring each tree she points out and discards.
Callie rubs her hands together and nods at the perfect tree. “How long will it take her to choose this one?”
“My money’s on the behemoth back there.” I nod toward the pine towering behind it.
Callie laughs. “Violet’s smart enough to know that’ll never fit in the house.”
“Won’t stop her from trying, I reckon.”
“Okay.” Callie leans down and scoops up a ball of snow, then pats it into a ball menacingly as she steps toward me. “What are you willing to wager?”
My blood runs hot. We’re toe to toe. The snowball between us is going to start steaming if she isn’t careful. This is an opportunity I’m not going to squander. It’s on the tip of my tongue to call back that kiss we never got to have, but she might misunderstand my intentions.
I don’t even know what my intentions would be.
Better to use this on something more appropriate. Something I want from her that she won’t give willingly, because I’m extremely confident Violet will be choosing the enormous tree back there. “One question. Total honesty. Winner gets to ask.”
Callie tosses the snowball over her shoulder and puts out her hand. “Deal.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CALLIE
Gavin’s large,gloved hand closes over mine and gives it a firm shake. The deal is made, and there’s no going back now. Not that I need to. I’m totally going to win.
Violet might only be four, but she’s smart. This tree is symmetrical, healthy, and about as big as we’ll be able to fit in the living room, so it’s definitely our winner.
Gavin gives my hand a squeeze before dropping it. “Now, when I win, you’ll be telling me the complete bucket list.”
I think I got rid of that snowball a little prematurely.
“Good luck.” I give him my sweetest smile, then cup my hands around my mouth. “Oh, Violet! I found the perfect tree!”
“Callie, that’s cheating.”
“We never said anything about influencing her.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Game on.”
“Where?!” Violet’s little voice calls. She’s running madly through the trees, Ruby and Luna following at a more sedate pace. “Where is it?”
