Page 11 of His Off-Limits Christmas Gift

“I imagine so.”

“Huh.” I looked down at the counter and rubbed my hand along my jaw. “This helps to clarify a bit. I overheard her talking to your mom on the phone and I couldn’t help but get curious.”

“Curious?” He raised his brows. “You’recuriousabout my little sister?”

“Curious why she would say that she wanted to skip Christmas.”

He didn’t break eye contact, staring at me seriously.

“What?” I laughed. “What’s that look for?”

“It’s just weird, hearing my old friend say he’s curious about my little sister.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, shut up.”

“Hey, I know you’re all generous and full of holiday spirit and all. It makes perfect sense that you’d wonder why she was down right now. But that’s it, right? Because it would not make any sense at all—to me—if you were curious about her in any other way.”

For fuck’s sake. Possessive much?I was an only child, so I wasn’t well-versed with sibling dynamics. But, damn. Was this supposed to be normal? The guy could be friends with me but I wouldn’t be good enough for his sister? How did that make sense?

“She’s still off-limits to you, Nate,” he reminded me. While his tone was teasing, I suspected it sounded like that only so he wouldn’t seem like a complete asshole.

“Oh. No worries there,” I replied, not losing my cool despite the slight edge he was speaking with. “I’m not looking for anyone.” I sat back and held my hands up in a truce manner. “At all.”

“Still?” He blinked in surprise. “I know the divorce was nasty. Yasmin hurt you, but it’s been years.”

I nodded. “It has been years. But I’m not looking for anyone. I’m definitely not in a rush to settle down with anyone.”

My ex-wife hadn’t only cheated on me. She also broke my damn heart. That kind of an ache wasn’t easy for someone free-loving and open-hearted like me to get over.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for anything serious again.”

“Hey, I’m in the camp that believesnever say never.” He smiled. “I’ve got faith you’ll find someone to make you completely forget about Yasmin.”

Just not your sister, right?“Thanks, man.”

As we moved on to other topics, though, and set up a time to hang out and catch a game when he had a night off from this bar, I couldn’t help but wonder.

I wasn’t ready for anything serious. Even the concept of dating intimidated me. It would require me to put too much on the line.

But casual sex wasn’t a crime.

Especially if I engaged in it with Rachel. Why not see if I can’t help her move on from this ex who dumped her on Thanksgiving? Why not help her have a little more joy in the holiday season again?

The chemistry building between us was a real, tangible force I couldn’t deny. Nor could she. Iknewshe felt it. I noticed herwatching me when she thought I couldn’t see. I struggled to stay away from her. Something was there.

Maybe it might anger Brandon. But if Rachel and I both leaned on each other to get through this holiday season…

What could be so wrong with that?

5

RACHEL

My mother made it impossible for me to feel bad about escaping to New York. Every day, she called me. Not answering didn’t dissuade her. She also texted. Emailed. Left messages at the office. That one was a surprise. How she knew to find me was a mystery. I had a direct extension. Everyone did here. But I hadn’t provided it to her. Nor had Julie.

My mother had called Julie, too. Fortunately for me, she acted like my mother was a robocall and hung up immediately.

Kyle’s mother also reached out. Dad and Mr. Jones did as well.

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