I huff to myself. No way in hell would I step outside of my comfort zone. I would freaking make a fool of myself.
Pushing my glasses up my nose, I smile when I see three boys throwing snowballs at each other. Their laughter and giggles mix with Christmas music and chatter.
“Look at them. Living their best life,” Grandma says next to me.
“That they are. I wish I had that when I was their age,” I muttered.
“Boy, you may not have had a good childhood when it came to friends but look at you now. I am so proud of you, and I know that your mom and dad feel the same way.”
“I know. I am proud of me too, and the guys.” I slip on some ice but correct myself, and my grandmother giggles next to me.
“Theo, darling, you would trip over fresh air if you could.”
I huff. “There was some ice.”
With a smile on her face, she pats my arm. “Sure there was.”
We walk a little farther down the street, and I look over to the bar I will be helping out in while I am here: Sidelines. I was informed that it is run by two brothers— twins— and their family is very well-known in this town.
My grandma volunteered my services to help Tatum and Tristan. She thinks it will do me some good socially, meeting and speaking to new people.
I am not doing it for the money, and if they pay me, I will donate it to the animal shelter here in town.
“Well, good afternoon to you, Miss Patty,” a sweet voice comes from behind us, and the sound sends shivers through my body.
I turn us so my grandmother can greet whoever spoke, and the air seizes in my lungs.
Standing before me is a man who is stunning beyond words. Not that I would ever tell him that. He is around my height, with dark hair that is brushed back and styled perfectly. It is shaved on the sides, and he has some facial hair—not much but it suits him.
The eyeliner he is wearing makes his green eyes pop, and those lips… Holy cow, they look kissable and shine in the sunlight thanks to the lip gloss.
Makeup on men has never been my thing, but seeing him, I am thinking maybe I do like it.
“Good afternoon, River. It is lovely to see you. I bet the salon is keeping you busy this time of year.”River.It suits him.
He smiles brightly at my grandmother and that in itself does something to me.
River steps closer, leaning in to kiss her cheek but his gaze lands on me and stays there— locking me in place with an intense, inviting stare.
Fuck me.
He looks down my body, then up, licking his lips before stepping back. It only lasted a split second but damn, it felt like an hour being under a microscope for him.
“Oh, you know it is, Miss Patty. Everyone from woman to dog needs a cut and color to be ready for that big sexy man in a red suit to bring us our most wanted gifts.” As he says, ‘most wanted,’ he looks at me again.
I clear my throat, looking across the street, and I swear I hear him chuckle. Patty must take my actions as me wanting an introduction, and I know all too well that she is more than happy to introduce me to this man.
“Where are my manners? River, this is my grandson, Theo. Honey, this is River; he owns the salon here in Silverpine. He and his girls are the ones who make my hair look this good.” The happiness in her voice tells me that she loves visiting this salon.
I bring my gaze back to River and see mischief in his eyes. He is trouble with a capital ‘T’, but I see softness in him, too.
“It is nice to meet you, Theo.” My name rolls off his tongue, and mine sticks to the roof of my mouth.
Damn it.
He doesn’t make a face or show any signs of annoyance at my lack of speaking skills, like some people. The side of his mouth tilts up in a knowing look that says he knows he is affecting me.
I cough, clearing my throat, and hold my hand out to shake his.
