Page 5 of Chased at Christmas

“I think we should line the trees around the outside of the room and leave space in the center for dancing at the eclipse party. It smells like Christmas here. People will love that, and if they want to see the eclipse, they just step outside. Also, there’s a place for the band Jovie was talking about, and we could do catering off to the side there.” I drag in a deep breath. “Also, there’s no rule about phone time. You’re on your phone every time I’m looking at you.”

“I’m not on my phone all the time, and it’s general knowledge that there are no phones while you’re working.”

“You’re jealous.”

He narrows his brows and shakes his head. “No, I’m not.”

“You are! That’s why you’re being all weird. You can’t stand the fact that I’ve actually connected with another human being, can you?”

Gabe is gorgeous. There’s no doubt about it. In fact, I’m pretty sure I must have left a load of puppies on the side of the road in a past life because whatever God is up there throwing down this kind of punishment on me is ruthless. A big, strong man with dark features, a long beard, sleeves of tattoos, and atake no shit attitude that makes me cream every time he talks.Somehow, he’s into me, but completely off limits.

I’d jump on Gabe in half a second if he weren’t my brother's best friend. I’d give him whatever he wanted. I’d get on my knees. I’d beg. I’d let him have his way with me, but that’s not going to happen.

Besides that, Chevy isn’tonlymy brother, he’s my best friend, and he’s been like a father figure since our father ditched out of the picture years ago. I couldn’t repay him by messing around with his bestie.

There are plenty of nice guys out there. Sure, they might not look like Gabe, but then again, they might look like Hugh Jackman, so…

“Earth to Mira.” Gabe waves his hand in front of my face.

“What?”

“You asked me if I could get over you talking to someone else. I said I can’t. You’re right. Why’s this guy so great, anyway?”

I shrug and turn away as I walk a six-foot balsam toward the barn wall. Well, more so drag it. “Haven’t you ever met someone that you just connected with? Like you know you just met them, but somehow, it’s like you’ve known them forever?”

“Aside from you?”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t count because youhaveknown me forever. I’m talking about a complete stranger. Someone you don’t know from Adam.”

“No one justgetssomeone, plum. You have to work—”

“Don’t call me that.” I turn back toward the trees and grab another, rolling it on its trunk toward the wall beside the other.

“You used to love that name.”

“I never used to love that. No one likes being calledplum.”

“It’s a perfect description, though. You’re small and sweet like a ripe, little fruit.”

“Dear God,” I roll my neck away, “just stop. Also, I’m neither of those things.”

“You are to me.”

“Great.” My chest tightens. “Well, if you’re done sexually harassing me, I think I’ll finish this job you hired me to do.” I sound sarcastic, but in reality, I like the compliments, and I’m not sure if I want them to stop.

Gabe’s shoulders stiffen as though I’ve cut him where it counts. Maybe I went too far. I know he’s not that guy. We’ve known each other forever. He’s pressing right now because he thinks I’ll bend.

“Okay, I get it.” He holds up his hands and turns away from the trees. “What’s so special aboutthisguy, anyway?”

I snap a glance toward him and pull my phone out of my pocket, scrolling back up the messages to show him one by one how supportiveWolverinecan be, though the main reason I’m checking is to see Wolvie’s response to my last question.

Wolvie: Just outside of Rugged Mountain. You?

Rugged Mountain!He’s here, in town, with me. For a second, I wonder if that’s weird, but I haven’t told him where I’m from yet, so… maybe it’s just luck. I think the dating site algorithm looks for people nearby first.

I think.

A streak of excitement rolls through me at the thought of finally meeting up. We can do it sooner than later now, being that he’s so close.

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