16
"What's a good gift for a woman?"
On the other end of the phone line, Aiden did not immediately respond to Noah's blurted question.
His face went hot, but they were now ten days out from Christmas, and he needed to know.
And Noah didn't have any friends—other than Jilly—to ask for advice.
"I guess it depends on who she is to you," Aiden said slowly. "Is she a business acquaintance? A friend?" He cleared his throat. "Something more?"
Wouldn't Noah like to know.
Since last weekend when his mom had visited, things had changed. It'd been a subtle change, but it was there. Jilly and the kids still came over faithfully once a day to see Honey Bear. Jilly always greeted him warmly and made conversation.
Between visits, he found himself texting her frequently. Mostly in response to her texts, though he’d initiated several conversations.
And at night...
He'd been the one to start it. That first night, Mom had been getting ready for bed, and he'd called Jilly to make sure she and the kids had gotten home safely.
A crock of an excuse, considering she lived so close. He'd wanted to talk to her, to hear her voice one more time.
She hadn't called him on his baloney, and they'd stayed up talking long after the light under his mom's door had gone out.
Noah was addicted. He couldn't get enough of Jilly.
Which was... not good.
He didn't want to want her this much. So much that he constantly wondered what she was doing. That he ached for the smallest touch of her hand. That he just wanted to be near her, in her presence.
He needed to keep her friendship, but he wanted so much more.
So no, Aiden. He didn't know what to call her.
"It's for Jilly," he admitted in a rush. "I—I don't even know if we'll see each other on Christmas, but I want to get her something."
"Do you want me to order a flower bouquet?"
"No. Not flowers." Flowers were romantic, maybe, but they wilted too quickly. He wanted something that would last.
"Something for her house? The other day she said she was still doing repairs."
He shook his head even as jealousy spiraled through him. When had Aiden talked to Jilly?
It wasn't any of his business. He knew it was probably nothing. Aidenwastoo young for her, even though they'd joked about it once.
But knowing that couldn't contain the hot emotion rolling through him.
"What about a kitten or puppy?” Aiden suggested. “The children would like that."
He shook his head again. "It would add more work for her." He wanted something he could be sure she'd appreciate. "I'll think of something." He needed a subject change. "Any word from Ms. McDane's agent about the contract revisions we asked for?"
"Nothing yet."
He wanted to get this thing wrapped.
His cell phone chimed a text message, and his heart leapt when he saw it was from Jilly.
