His eyes flare like the Fourth of July. I wiggle my bottom, watching his fingers twitch.
The door swings open. “Have you seen Josh’s chocolates?” Jodi says in a huff.
Noel clears his throat, shoving his hands in his shorts pockets. “Is he on one again?”
Jodi scans the shelves. “He’s never happy. You know that.”
I stand up straight and hand the box to her. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, Glory. Hopefully, the chocolates will shut him up.” Jodi giggles as she steps towards the door.
“Best get back to it.” Noel nods towards the exit.
I follow Jodi out of the kitchen, then turn back to Noel. “You coming, then?”
“Yeah. Just need a minute.” Noel shuffles on his feet.
My eyes wander down to the tent in his shorts. “Oh.” I suck in a breath. Either he has a thing for Jodi, or my teasing is working. Christmas wishes in July might be a thing after all.
NOEL
Ipark Glory’s bike outside the studio after getting Merrick to fix it up.
She steps out of her dad’s car with two paper cups and hands me my favourite drink. “Hi, I brought tea with syrup.”
“Thanks, sprout.” I could get used to this. The sweetness from the tea perks up my senses. Or maybe it’s just her that has me firing on all cylinders. “I fixed your bike. Well, technically, Merrick fixed it, but it should be good as new. No more riding into lampposts.” A silent chuckle shakes my shoulders.
Memories of Gray and I as teenagers, helping her learn to ride her first bike, flash through my head. She has the same bright smile now as she did that day.
The sun shines on her brunette hair, giving it a honey-toned glow. “How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.” I take a sip of my tea. It tastes extra sweet and I know it’s because she made it for me. A light breeze blows between us, her zesty scent swirling around me. Wisps of her silky hair float around her face, and I itch to tuck them behind her ear.
She’s like Christmas mornings, all bright and sparkly, full of life. Being around her makes me happy, and judging by the recurring tent in my shorts, she makes my dick happy, too.
Gray’s little sister. Gray’s little sister.
My chest caves when I remind myself, no matter how much I care for Glory, she’s off-limits.
“We’re filming on the beach today. You ready to go?”
She nods her head, her eyes full of excitement, even at this crazy early hour. Maddox arrives with his golf cart, ready to take Ivy to the dock for her boat scene, while the rest of us load the rig and set onto a trailer.
I help Glory into the rental truck and I slide in behind the wheel, placing my sweet tea into the cup holder. Her smile warms my heart, and I’m a goner.
Driving down Snow Street, I glance over at Glory. Her eyes are already on me, as if she enjoys watching me drive. “So, what are your plans? Like after this. What would you like to do?”
“We could go grab something to eat. Rudolpho’s Italian or the Greek taverna do great food.”
“I meant, after the movie is over.” There’s nothing I’d love more than to wine and dine her, but it would be all over town by sunset. If Gray found out I’d taken his little sister on a date, he’d go ballistic.
“Oh.” She shuffles in her seat. “My dream is to move to LA. I’ve always admired you leaving town and living your best life.”
I can help her move to LA if that’s her dream. Damn, my motives aren’t exactly honourable. The thought of dating her in LA without prying eyes makes my pulse race. “You can do that. I’ll help you.”
“You would?” Her perky smile widens and warmth floods me.
Oh shit. LA or Candy Cane Key, it doesn't matter where we are. She'll still be Gray’s sister.
