“When we were little, after my dad… well, you know.” She squishes her face. “My mom was stuck raising my brothers and me alone. Four kids,” she groans adorably. I have to shift in my seat to get a little more comfortable.
“Anyhow, she worked hard, but during the holidays, it was always so difficult on her, you know? Moonlit Pines isn’t huge, and people aren’t rolling in it, but I figured, I don’t know…”
“Tell me,” I urge, wanting to get a deeper insight into the woman who had stolen my heart the first time we met.
“I figured a toy drive would be helpful, you know? I don’t know, it probably sounds stupid. My brothers always say I’m up to one shenanigan or another.”
“It’s not stupid.” I let my hand drop hers so I can tip her face in my direction. “You’re not stupid, Eden. I don’t think there is anything wrong with trying to help out your community and making your corner of the world a better place. I fucking think that’s admirable.”
“Thanks.” Her eyes are warm and sweet while she stares at me. “Anyhow, one of my best friends is working at city hall and we got to talking and well… let’s say she can be more persuasive than me.” she smiles. Now there are boxes all over the city including a makeshift Santa’s workshop at the brewery.”
“What’s an issue you’ve found doing this?”
“An issue?”
“Something you didn’t expect. A problem.”
“Oh.” She presses her lips together. “People hear toy drive and get toys, which, duh, it’s in the name, but no one thinks about the teenagers.” Her cheeks brighten, and I know she’s going to tell me. “You can’t tell my brothers I’m telling you this.”
“Okay,” I drawl slowly.
“My mom got help once from a boys and girls club a couple towns away. One of her friends put her in, and she got chosen. I got the prettiest Barbie,” she shares wistfully. “I still have it,” she admits, and I chuckle with her. “But my brothers, I kinda felt bad for them. They got coloring books and a little nerf ball. They were teenagers. And I noticed that’s the demographic that’s missing donations.”
“I can see that.” An idea starts to stir. “So, you stay late every night of the week?” She nods, unknowingly giving me the green light and the opportunity to make sure I see her again, and soon.
“Yeah. Plus, I get a walk-in or two, and that’s never a loss. Anyhow, if you ever want to stop by…” She lets the offer hang between us, and I don’t say anything for some goddamn reason. “Well, I better get inside so you can get home. Thanks again for the ride. It was fun hanging out.”
“Hold up.” I point at her before slipping out of the truck and make my way to the passenger side.
If she thinks she’s walking herself anywhere when she’s with me, she has another thing coming. When she called meDaddyearlier, she might have been kidding, but I saw the truth in her eyes. The interest in me.
Our souls match, and I’m done fighting the pull I feel when it comes to the gorgeous, curvy angel sitting pretty in my truck. She might be forbidden, my best friend’s sister and twelve years younger than me, but damn it, she’s mine!
I open the door and extend my hand for her. She takes it without saying a word, and we walk together toward her house. “What time do you usually leave to work in the mornings?” I ask the moment we reached her front door.
“Oh, umm, usually about eight. But I might have to leave early since—" She points at the old sedan.
“Early?” I feel my brows bunch.
“Yeah, so I can walk to the salon.”
“Walk? In the morning?” It will be freezing at that time. Way too cold for my girl.
“Yeah, it’s only a mile from here, and I can grab a ride home from one of the girls.”
“Do they usually stay later with you?” She opens her mouth, and I have a feeling she’s about to lie but decides against it. Instead, she shakes her head.
“No, but I can always bug one of my brothers.”
“I’ll be here at eight.” Probably earlier. I’ll be lucky if I’m able to sleep from the anticipation of seeing her again. “And I’ll take you home.” It’s not an offer but a statement, and she knows it. Eden looks at me and chews on her lower lip.
“What’s going on?”
“What’s going on is, I’m taking care of you.” I don’t play coy. I’m done keeping my distance.
“Taking care of…” She frowns. “I don’t need to be taken care of.” I step closer, unable to stop myself as I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her closer. She gasps but thankfully doesn’t push me away.
“Earlier, you called me something.”
