“Um, anyway,” I say. “It seems like we both have a couple of days off. Do, um, do you have any plans? Because I was thinking if you don’t, maybe we could hang out? Maybe do some fun Christmassy stuff or something?” I’m not sure where that came from, but it’s out of my mouth anyway. It definitely feels like I’m asking him for a date. And I guess maybe I am. Things have changed between us over the last day. I know I’m seeing him differently, and I hope he’s seeing me as more than just a hookup.
He looks at me for a moment, blinking. But then a smile crosses his face, and fucking hell, he’s so gorgeous.
“Yeah. That would be great. Let’s do that,” he says, and a big flock of butterflies launches in my tummy. I have no idea what I’m doing here, and it’s very possible this man will just break my damn heart. But the more time I spend with him, the more convinced I am that I need to shoot my shot. I’ll have to worry about picking up the pieces later.
Chapter 17
BEN
Idon’tknowwhatI’m doing. I shouldn’t be hanging out with Aleks. We’re just coworkers. There’s no future for us anywhere. But the problem is, I really, really like being around him. He’s not who I thought he was. He’s so far away from the entitled little shit I would have expected Kent Warren’s son to be it makes me shake my head. He was genuinely thrilled when he saw that the team was going to give him access to all the medical and caretaker benefits, even though he only just started, and technically, he isn’t even certain his job with the Sasquatch is permanent. Of course, I may have texted Carson with an update on the situation while Aleks was talking with Josie earlier. I didn’t exactly ask for Aleks to have access to all the benefits I know team employees get, but I may have implied that it would be helpful. Carson acted on it right away, which impresses me.
After making plans to do some Christmas-type activities together, I head back to my place to grab a change of clothes and shower. Without spending a lot of time overthinking it, I throw a couple of days’ worth of clothing into a bag, along with my toothbrush. Never hurts to be prepared.
My palms are sweaty as I ring the buzzer when I get back to his place. It’s ridiculous—I don’t know why I’m nervous. I slept in his bed last night, for god’s sake. And not long ago, we did a lot more than just sleep in his bed. So, I shouldn’t have anything to be so nervous about. But here I am.
He answers the buzzer, saying he’ll be right down, and when he appears, I swallow hard and wipe those sweaty palms on my jeans because he looks good enough to eat. He’s wearing dark jeans and a camel-colored Filson jacket over a red sweater, which brings out his bright green eyes. A red-and-black buffalo plaid scarf wrapped around his neck completes his outfit, and his smile makes me want to melt, even though it’s freezing out here.
"Hey," I say as soon as he opens the door, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. “You ready?”Smooth. Asking if he’s ready when you’re already walking out the door. Good job, Jacobs.
Aleks grins. “Sure am. Let’s go.”
He says he wants to go pick up some things for Josie’s house to help make things a little easier for her when she comes home, so we head to Target to grab a few practical household items before heading downtown to shop for some fun gifts for her.
Westlake Center in downtown Seattle is the main shopping hub. It’s stopped snowing, finally, but there are several inches of the white stuff on the ground, but even with the weather, the area is busy, and the giant Christmas tree in Westlake Center towers over the busy shoppers. I don’t know what possesses me to do it, but I reach out and grab Aleks’ hand as we’re walking around. He startles at first, and he looks down at our clasped hands. A smile crosses his face, and when his eyes meet mine, he looks so gorgeous I lose my breath. His bright green eyes behind his glasses, his rosy cheeks and red lips. I want to kiss him so badly I’m almost shaking, but instead, I just reach out and adjust his scarf, taking the opportunity to let my fingertips brush against his neck. His quick intake of breath makes my cock jump in my jeans, and I have to bite my lip to stop the groan from escaping.
After he finds a few fun things for Josie, including some extra cozy pj’s made from super-stretchy material that should fit over her cast, we head back to my car. At one point, the thought crosses my mind that it might be fun to pick out a Christmas tree together, but it seems like such a couple-y thing to do I don’t suggest it right away. But Aleks is so genuinely delighted over all the Christmas decorations and the gifts he picks out it makes my chest feel tight and weird. But instead of worrying that I might be having some kind of heart attack, I decide to just say, fuck it, and plunge headfirst into… whatever this is…
“So, um, how would you feel about maybe going to get a Christmas tree?” I ask hesitantly, but my nerves disappear when his face lights up like the proverbial Christmas tree.
“Oh my god, are you serious? I would love that!”
I laugh because, fuck me sideways, he’s seriously adorable.
“I was thinking we could go cut our own, but considering the time and the roads, maybe we could go to this awesome lot over in Woodinville where they have really good precut ones. What do you think?” I ask.
Aleks giggles with delight, the sound making my heart do a weird flutter in my chest. “Well, I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to cutting down my own Christmas tree, but maybe this time, we can make an exception. Let’s do it!”
I bark out another laugh, catching his enthusiasm. “Let’s see what we can find.”
The drive to the tree farm in Woodinville, northeast of Seattle, isn’t long, even with the messy roads, and before long, we’re pulling into the small, thankfully plowed parking lot. A little red barn with white trim sits beside the parking area; to one side of it is the large field where the U-cut trees grow, and the lot containing their precut selection on the other. Despite the weather, there are several families with young kids bundled up and making their way either out into the field of trees, saws in hand, or on their way back, with the lot employees helping them get the lucky trees loaded into their vehicles for the ride home.
“Alright, then, let’s find you the perfect tree,” I say as we get out of the car.
Aleks giggles again and grabs onto my arm as we head across the lot, and we each grab a red Solo cup of the hot apple cider they’re handing out at the entrance. The rows of evergreen trees stand proudly, and their sharp, clean scent fills the air, mingling with the sweet cinnamon scent of our cider.
“Wait a second,” he says, “what about a tree for you?”
“Well, honestly, I don’t usually put one up anymore," I say a little sheepishly. “I always celebrate at my mom’s house or at my stepdad’s care home when I’m not working over Christmas anyway.”
“Oh no, Dr. Jacobs, that simply will not do!” His voice is teasing. “You mean to tell me you don’t even put up your own Christmas tree, yet you’re capable of finding the so-called ‘perfect tree’?” He makes air quotes.
“Well, I do have some expertise in the area,” I say seriously. “I worked at a tree lot for a couple of seasons while I was in high school.”
“Nice! So you are actually a true expert. I’m impressed,” he says, his eyes sparkling. “So, tell me, Ben, what, in your expert opinion, makes a tree perfect?” he asks. “Would it be the height? Shape? Proper number of branches to ensure optimal ornament distribution? I need all your secrets, come on.” He gives me a pleading look, batting his lashes coquettishly.
"Well," I reply, tapping my chin thoughtfully, "those factors are all important, but the biggest thing is the tree’s personality. It has to have that certain…je ne sais quoi."
“Wooow.” He widens his eyes and pretends to rest his chin on the back of his hands like he’s enraptured by my thoughts on tree selection. “Please tell me more, oh Master Tree Whisperer.”
