Page 22 of 12 Days of Mistletoe

“She is.” But that’s all she offers me. I guess I can’t blame her. I did try to evict her dog from the building. She rocks back onto her heels before standing. “So, you’re buying the building?”

I clear my throat. “Yeah.” My parents don’t know yet. I’m not sure how they’ll feel about the idea. But while I love teaching physical education, I have other interests. And eventually, an extra income wouldn’t hurt. I’ve always known I wanted to have a side gig. One that brought in enough income to let me travel.

Her brow furrows and she pauses to study me. Her eyes are narrowed, and one accusing word leaves her mouth: “Why?”

“Why?” I repeat. I know the answer to that question, butit feels personal. Then again, Bonnie and I are officially a “couple”—right?

Okay, maybe not, but if we’re going to get past her surliness, I might need to give her something real. “My grandparents have owned this place forever. It was the first of their three buildings. I used to help my grandfather fix leaky pipes and put in new ovens for people. I realize now I only saw one side to it. But he was always making people more comfortable and happy. I love teaching, but I love this too.”

“You’re a teacher?”

I shove both hands into my slacks pockets. We have a lot to learn. “Yes. Elementary P.E. It’s fun and easygoing. However, I’ve always known I wanted to take this place over for Gran. Only she’s been hesitant.”

Bonnie’s brows cinch as she attaches a leash to the back of Noel’s harness and starts for the door. “Is that because you get note-happy and attempt to evict perfectly nice tenants?”

“No.” I laugh as if she’s made a joke. I’m guessing she hasn’t, but I chuckle anyway. “I’m not really sure. I’m a hard worker and a fair leader. And I’ve been helping with the building forever. I know it. Inside and out.”

“Oh, yeah? A fair leader?”

“Iamfair,” I say. I don’t want anyone thinking otherwise. “Those notes weren’t meant to be passive-aggressive. I wasn’t sure you knew the rules. And technically I don’t have any real say here yet. When it became clear that you did know the rules—” I shake my head. “Well, I didn’t want anyone taking advantage of Gran. She’s worked hard to keep this place up.”

Bonnie pauses with her door half open, her winter coat in hand. “I get that. I do. And I wasn’t trying to take advantageof anyone. The thing is, I love living here. It’s hard to find a nice, safe place for a single girl to live in the city. And especially a place that allows dogs. At least on my income.” Her chest rises and falls with her deep breath. “Believe me, Elliot. I wasn’t trying to pull one past your gran. Noel is trained—professionally. She’s never a nuisance. I need her and I need this place.”

Need. Need is different from ‘want’ or ‘wish.’ My tongue itches with the desire to ask. She needs this dog and she needs this home.

ELEVEN

bonnie

For the firsttime in three years, I walk Noel out of the front of the building on her leash rather than rushing her through the back doors. Two people—Mrs. Bell, who might be the one person who knew about Noel, and Raquel Winters, the teenage girl who lives on my floor, both stop and ask if they can pet Noel.

She is a service dog—myservice dog. And when it’s stated so clearly on her back, like it is now, people are more hesitant to touch her. It’s understandable—she’s on call, at all times, but Noel loves being loved on. I don’t mind people showing her affection. And as long as she’s near me, I believe she’s aware of me and my needs.

We walk out to my Chevy Malibu, the car that Meg, my sister, bought brand new in her first year of teaching. After a few years, she decided to sell, and I was first in line to buy her car. I walk Noel over to the driver’s side door and Elliot stands across from me at the passenger door.

“What are you doing?” I ask him, my eyes falling to his hand on the door handle. “You aren’t driving with me.” I keep my voice stern, but I’m not gonna lie. A whole lot of hate melted off of me when I caught Noel and Elliot nose to nose. The way she settled in his lap and the way he looked at her gave me all the facts. This man is not a dog hater. Not even a little bit. And I can’t chide him for loving his grandmother.

“Why not? We can talk along the way and?—”

I huff. Sure, the hate is gone, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to be besties. “Elliot, this is already more than I bargained for.”

“For me, too, but we still need to get to know one another.”

My phone pings in my pocket, and at the same time, a buzz sounds on Elliot’s side of the car. We blink at one another before turning to our cells.

There are two unknown numbers attached to a new text thread. Along with one text that reads:

After you two finish at the senior center, come back to my place. We’ve got some planning to do.

-Gran

“Um.” Elliot’s eyes blink up from his phone. “Is this you?”

“Of course it’s me. Are you in multiple mistletoe schemes with your grandmother and unsuspecting girls?” I grind my teeth—I’m not exactly thrilled that May just gave him my number. But then, I suppose we’d have to swap numbers at some point.

“Uh, nope. You’re the one and only.”

I sigh and watch as he taps his phone closed.

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