He nods. “Yes.”
“Then I’ll make it happen.”
“Best. Friend. Ever.”
A furious blush is now creeping up my cheeks even farther.
Get it together, Charlie,I chide myself.
I watch as Brooks hangs ornaments all over the tree. There is no rhyme or reason to it, and it’s why I love my tree so much.
It’s not perfect. Far from it, actually.
But it’s perfect to me. The memories that cling to the pine branches are of all the holidays, trips, and events that mean more to me than anything else.
By the time we’re done, it’s early evening and the sun has already set. The house smells of sugar from the cookies we made plus the scent of the fresh tree now taking up one corner of the living room. It’s like an explosion of Christmas and I love it.
Garlands hang from the fireplace with Brooks’s stocking holders sitting on the mantel. Christmas throw pillows now cover the couch. Knickknacks line the bookshelves. Every single space in the house has something Christmas on it.
With the snow falling outside and Comet happily chewing on a candy cane-shaped bone in front of the fire, it’s the epitome of a magazine spread inside my house.
After making two cups of hot chocolate with a dash of peppermint schnapps, I carry them into the living room and hand one to Brooks.
Before he even takes a sip, he grabs both cups and sets them down onto the coffee table and pulls me into a hug. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over just how good he smells.
“Thank you for this, Charlie.”
“You never have to thank me. I’m always here for you.”
I squeeze Brooks a little tighter, savoring this moment. I know Brooks will eventually move on.
It doesn’t mean I can’t make the most of the time we have together. I’ll give Brooks the perfect holiday he deserves if it’s the last thing I do.
Then move on.
Even if I might break my own heart in the process.
Chapter Six
BROOKS
UGLY SWEATER FEELINGS
The sound of the front door opening has me leaning back from the counter. Paws echo on the hardwood floor as Charlie’s voice coos down at Comet.
“Hey,” I call out. “You’re home earlier than I expected.”
“Everyone had things under control at the bar, so I wasn’t needed.” He shrugs out of his black puffer coat and hangs it on the hook next to the front door before walking into the kitchen.
Snow sticks to Charlie’s hair and pink blossoms on his cheeks. His brown eyes are happy.
Why am I noticing these things about him?
Ever since we decorated the tree, it seems a switch has been flipped. When he touched my abs, it’s like a zap of electricity flooded my veins.
Charlie was playing around. I know that. But it addled my brain more than I care to admit.
Maybe it’s because I’m in a weird limbo right now. Livingwith my best friend while I try to get back on my feet. Trying to recover from the divorce.
