Page 60 of Her Holiday Heartthrobs

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why this works between us. We’ve been reading each other’s minds and filling in the gaps for decades.

“Trade off accompanying her for lunch.”

“We’re not trying to smother her,” I say, although the thought of sharing lunch with her, of sharingsomethingwith her every day, is profusely enticing.

“There’s another problem.” Eli sits up straighter, clarity and the excitement of a new challenge brightening his features. “How do we get her to let us in on her weekends?”

I frown. Her nights and weekends are dedicated to her son, and that’s not something I want to change. But is there a way that we can include ourselves? Get to know Paxton. Charm him onto our side, in our favor?

Let’s face it, he’s as much a part of this as she is, and we can’t ignore that.

Besides, that little guy…there’s something about him that I feel connected to as well.

“We include her son in our plans. That’s how.”

PAIGE

I pull Paxton’s new snowsuit out to his jumping squeals ofoutside, outside, outside.Apparently, I’ve kept him inside for far too long in this cold weather, although I know he builds snowmen with my dad at least once a week when the weather allows for it.

Jackie smiles knowingly as he takes it from me. “You need to get snow proofed too.”

I smile back at him. “I don’t have anything that’s snow proof.”

“And are they planning to send you home in their sweats again?”

My cheeks burn and my spine straightens. “There will be none of that.”

“Not in front of anyone important, at least.” Jackie knocks his shoulder into me. “Go get ready for your date and let me get the wiggle monster ready.”

I don’t like handing off so much responsibility, but I nod and slip into my warm jeans, and layer on the shirts and socks.

I’m grabbing hats and gloves when I get the text from Jake. They didn’t want to overload him all at once, so we onlyintroduced him to Jake and Eli last week. Each on their own. And now, Jake’s coming up to escort us down.

Jackie is primed when he hears my chime. “Is he on his way up?”

Jake is exactly the kind of personality Jackie loves to poke at. Flirt with. I find it hilarious, and Jake takes it mostly in stride. He has more of a sense of humor than he wants to let on.

“He is.” I grab Paxton’s boots.

“Who?” He hops when he asks, flapping his arms like an owl.

“Jake. You remember Jake, right? Tall and grumpy.” Jackie nabs Paxton around the waist and sets him on the couch.

“Not grumpy. Shy.” I bend to get Paxton’s wiggling feet in his boots.

“Achy,” he says, Jake’s nickname. The goof gives them to everyone. “Fixed my car.”

“He did. Didn’t he? That was nice of him, huh?”

Paxton gives me a big nod and hops down with his boots on.

Jake knocks, and I feel the giddy smile before it blooms on my face. Jackie is at the door with Paxton before I can turn around.

“Well don’t you look rugged today in those jeans and boots. No flannel like the big guy though?” Jackie exaggerates how much he checks him out, and Jake’s smile is small but it’s there, especially in his eyes when they glint at me.

He likes Jackie, even if my best friend makes him clam up tight, like right now. Jake shifts his weight in the doorway, and I come to his rescue.

“Come in. I just have to shove my boots on and grab my bags.”

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