Eli glanced down. Noah was looking up at him, his expression open, curious. And for a second, Eli had the sensation of beingseen.
“I really am here to help my sister,” Eli said. “But right now, work’s… slow. Life’s in a transition phase.”
“Is that code for ‘kinda sucks right now’?” Noah asked gently.
Eli hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, something like that.”
Noah stilled. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re here.”
The words rang with sincerity.
“Because you needed another set of hands?” Eli tried to deflect.
“Because you’re you,” Noah said.
Eli’s stomach did that annoying swoop again. He fumbled with the lights. “You barely know me.”
Noah shrugged. “It feels as if I know enough to be glad you’re in my town for a while. The rest we can figure out.”
We.
That shouldn’t have felt as good as it did.
He cleared his throat. “What about you? Have you always been… Christmas Guy?”
“God, no. That’s just my winter job title.”
Eli stepped back to check the lights, then glanced at him. “And the rest of the year?”
“Carpentry.” Noah tugged at the hem of his hoodie. “I build custom furniture most days. Tables, shelves, benches, that kind of thing. People call me when their chairs wobble or their porch is falling off.”
“So you’re useful,” Eli said. “How terrible.”
“I know.” Noah sighed dramatically. “It’s a burden being this competent.”
He was joking, but Eli could see the pride lying beneath his words, the way his shoulders squared when he talked about building things that lasted.
“You never wanted to leave?” Eli asked.
Noah shrugged. “Thought about it once or twice. I went away to college too, came back—and stayed. I like knowing which hardware store aisle the screws are on. I like recognizing the dogs on Main Street.”
“You know thedogson Main Street,” Eli repeated.
“Look, that golden retriever at the pharmacy is basically my child,” Noah said. “Don’t disrespect our bond.”
Eli snorted. “You and my sister should start a Mapleford fan club.”
“Already a member,” Noah said. “She supplies the pastries. I supply the unnecessarily elaborate light displays.”
The easy-flowing banter startled Eli. He’d forgotten what it was like to talk to someone new without feeling like he had to prove something. With Noah, it felt simple. Fun.
Dangerous.
Noah shivered. “Okay, I think we’re done out here. Let’s get inside and start on the windows.” They headed indoors, where Noah set up a ladder. He took a step back. “You okay with heights?”
“I’m okay with ladders,” Eli corrected. “Heights depend on the emotional circumstances.”
“I’ll hold it steady,” Noah offered. “I’ve only ever dropped one person.” Eli’s eyes widened, and Noah grinned. “Kidding.”
