And eventually, I reach Aspen.
She’s chatting animatedly with Zoe, Levi’s oldest stepdaughter and primary caregiver for Commander Crumpet. I nod to the hedgehog in Zoe’s hands.
“Has he been good enough for Santa to bring him presents this year?”
Zoe rolls her eyes as only a preteen can. “He’s a hedgehog, Uncle Cash.”
Aspen looks up at me. She’s maybe five-six. Brown hair tied up in a ponytail that I’d like to—ahem. Dressed in all black. Hazel eyes dancing.
“He gets presents all year round, don’t you, Commander Crumpet?”
The hedgehog doesn’t answer, but he does sniff at her.
“Such a good boy,” she says.
“He’s the best,” Zoe agrees.
“Does he still like to sleep in socks?” I ask.
“How do you know how he likes to sleep?” Zoe asks as Aspen glances at me again.
Fuck me, she’s pretty.
And fifteen years younger than you, you dirty old man.
I tilt my head toward her as I answer Zoe. “Aspen told me.”
“You forgot Hudson’s name the last time you were in town, but you remember how a hedgehog likes to sleep?”
Not my best moment, and I have a feeling she won’t ever let me forget that I forgot her little brother’s name. “I was jetlagged, and I’d spent the past three months working onHollow and Hunter. With Judson Clarke.”
“So what did you call Hudson?” Aspen asked me.
I clear my throat. “Juntson.”
She grins, and it makes the twinkling holiday lights seem brighter, the baking cookie scent more delicious, and the entire holiday season more magical.
“That must’ve been some epic jetlag.”
“Shot the whole film in Australia.”
“Oh, I’ve never been to Australia! Is it pretty?”
“Yeah. Very pretty. The whole country. I’ll take you next time I go.”
I realize what I’ve just said—and implied—and freeze in my tracks like I’m seventeen with my first crush instead of nearly forty with an inappropriate crush.
Zoe looks at me.
Then at Aspen.
Then pointedly back at me.Do not be an old creeper with my second-favorite pop star, Uncle Cash, or I will tell my stepdad to destroy you.
Was I this observant when I was in middle school?
She’s still in middle school, isn’t she?
“She’s busy,” Zoe deadpans.
