“No.Youdon’t understand. That one isn’t for sale. It’s from my own personal collection.”
“I’ll pay for it.”
Aaron crossed his arms. “What are you not getting, Hunter? I said you can’t buy it.”
“Fifty dollars? One hundred?” Hunter said as he reached for his wallet.
“Jesus, Hunter,” Aaron snapped. “Not everything is for sale. You can’t just flash your cash around and get your way.”
Hunter frowned as he shoved his wallet away. Shoulders slumping, he let out a loud sigh. “I’m sorry. It’s just I really need that star or one exactly like it. It’s a life—”
The door opened, and Aaron swung around to see Garrett.
“Oh, sorry,” Garrett said. “Am I interrupting something?”
“No,” Aaron replied at the same time Hunter said, “Yes.”
Garrett looked between them. The standoff was uncomfortable, forcing him to break the silence. “Hunter stopped by for some last-minute Christmas shopping—”
“I—” Hunter started.
“You can have it.”Why did I give in?“Hold on while I get the stepladder.” Aaron berated himself the whole way to the storeroom and back again.Why do I let him get away with it?But Hunter had seemed pretty determined that no other tree topper would do.
When he returned with the ladder, Hunter and Garrett were eyeing each other in silence. Aaron ignored them and set the ladder by the tree. Within a minute he’d taken the gorgeous pale blue star from its lofty position, wrapped it securely in bubble wrap, and placed it in a box. “Do you want it gift wrapped?”
Hunter shook his head. “That’s not necessary, but thanks. How much do I owe you?”
“I said it’s not for sale.”
“But—”
“No buts. Just take it before I change my mind.”
Hunter smiled. “Thanks, Aaron. You don’t know how much this means.”
Once the door shut behind him, Garrett asked, “What was that about?”
“I’m not entirely sure.” Aaron shrugged. “But it felt a lot like a spoiled man getting his way.”
* * *
“Put up a few decorations,they said. It’ll be easy, over before you know it, they promised. It’ll befun.” Garrett groaned as he reached down to grab the end of the strand of lights. “Hmm. It’s the last time I’m falling for that one.”
Aaron guided the lights, gradually unfurling them as Garrett extended his arm to hook them from the ceiling from one of the specially installed hooks. “Cut out your grouching. It’d be a lot more fun if you stopped the whining so the rest of us didn’t have to put up with you.”
“I can take over if you like,” Hunter offered, stopping as he walked past juggling a box of foliage. “Give you a break?”
“Nah. I got it,” Garrett replied, descending the ladder so he could move it along.
“Suit yourself.” Hunter headed back to the far wall where he was fastening pine branches along the picture rails. He’d been working all afternoon and hadn’t stopped—moving tables and placing chairs, setting up the Christmas tree ready for decoration, cleaning out the kitchen area in preparation for the caterers… and unlike Garrett, he hadn’t uttered a word in complaint. He bent for more pine branches, his shirt bunching across his shoulders and highlighting the firm muscles of his back.I wonder if he works out?
“Yoo-hoo. Up here.”
Aaron became aware of Garrett tugging on the lights at the same time as he heard Garrett calling. “Sorry.”
“A bit more focus, and we might get this done quicker,” Garrett said.
“Says the pot.” Aaron chuckled as he unwound more lights.
