“Don’t make it weird, Charlie. It’s a job,” Hunter tells me.
“But you’re helping out Brooks in his time of need. I knew there was a good person under there.” I pat the jacket over Hunter’s heart.
Hunter swats me away. “Fuck you. I’m a very nice person.”
“Just kidding.” I blow a kiss in his direction. “I know you are.”
Brooks goes back around to the tree, grabbing the saw and helping out with cutting it down.
“Thank you, Hunter. I know this means a lot to Brooks,” I whisper.
“And to you.”
“And to me. I appreciate you helping him out.”
Hunter nudges my side. “Look, I might not be on board with your whole plan, but I can certainly help Brooks out.”
“Thank you.”
A light snow starts falling as we load the tree into the cart to take back to the main gate. I watch as Hunter and Brooks chat for a few minutes.
With the Christmas lights sparkling, it’s a magical night.
This is why I love the Naughty Pine Tree Farm and the holiday season.
Because even if you’re going through a hard time, things can still be magical. If only you open your eyes and look for it.
Chapter Five
CHARLIE
THE BEST LOOKING THING ON MY TREE
“How did I not know you havethismany Christmas decorations?” Brooks whines as he sets yet another box down on the living room floor. “I mean, I love Christmas, but you?”
“Stop it.” I swat at him. “You’ve never been with me to decorate.”
Brooks laughs. “Probably because I would’ve been buried under decorations and then hung up on the tree like an ornament.”
I give my best friend a syrupy sweet smile. “You’d be the prettiest ornament on my tree.”
Brooks winks at me before heading up to his room to grab his own décor. Untangling a box of garlands, I watch as Brooks bounds down the stairs.
“That’s all you have?” I’m flabbergasted at the one small, clear tote he brings out. “What happened to everything else?”
Brooks shrugs a shoulder. “It’s all I wanted to keep afterthe divorce. Everything else we bought together, but this was mine and I couldn’t get rid of it.”
My heart clangs around in my chest for my best friend. Fucking Delia. I hate her. I mean, I’ve always had it out for her because she got Brooks and I didn’t, but seeing the number she did on him?
I hate her.
“We’ll make sure it’s front and center then.” I bump my shoulder against his.
“You’re the best friend I could have ever asked for.”
Brooks’s words warm me from the inside out as he peels the lid off the container. It’s a mishmash of ornaments, knickknacks, and a special collar for Comet, complete with a bow tie.
“And don’t you forget it.”
