Page 69 of Christmas Wishes

“Hi. Andrew, right? I’m Keaton. Great to meet you.” Keaton squared his shoulders and aimed a frighteningly polite smile at Andrew.

“Pleasure to meet you too.”

“This sounds like an emergency call. Is your electricity out? Smoking? Weird smells?”

“Other than the wife’s cooking? No.” Andrew laughed.

Keaton chuckled politely. “Ah, I see. I totally understand that you’d like to Griswold it up and win that coveted award, but I’m sure you can understand that even the local electrician deserves a break during the holidays. We don’t want him to electrocute himself from exhaustion, then where will the festival be next year?” He smiled sweetly. “Maybe you could work on this last-minute addition for next year’s competition? I’m sure what you have already is spectacular. I can’t wait to see it.”

My dick perked up at Keaton’s assertive politeness.

“Damn, I’m sorry about that.” He slapped his palm to his forehead. “I’m an asshole. Riggs, I’ll call you after the holidays to get things checked out. I hope you have a great rest of your dinner. Round of drinks on me.” Andrew shook our hands and sincerely apologized again.

“Thanks, Andrew. I look forward to working on your project.”

Andrew aimed his chagrined smile at us once again before joining his family.

I shook my head, astonished. “That was something else.”

Keaton scrunched his face. “Did I overstep? Sorry. I get protective over people I care about. Arlo would have some stories to share about that.” He grimaced.

“I should hire you as my guard dog.”

“Woof.”

I chuckled then sobered. “For the record, I care about you too.”

Chapter34

Riggs

The house was oddlysilent when I got back from my morning appointments. I wasn’t sure what Keaton usually did in the middle of the day, but when I got off work in the evenings, I usually returned to music or podcasts playing. Maybe he was sleeping? I’d rescheduled my appointments for the rest of the day to spend more time with him, and if that meant cuddling in bed together, that was perfectly fine with me.

I checked the living room first and found Keaton staring wide-eyed at me with Joule curled on his lap.

“Don’t make any sudden movements or noise.”

I had to admit I was a little jealous that Keaton had been able to achieve what I hadn’t, but he’d put more time in than me. Mostly, I was happy that Nico’s favorite girl was getting the affection she deserved and letting herself be close to someone.Just in time for Keaton to leave too.

I’d failed Joule, and I wouldn’t let that happen again. The cat treats and toys I’d ordered online should arrive next week.

I took quiet steps to the couch and sat. Joule opened one eye and stared at me, warning me to keep my distance. I pulled my phone from my pocket and snapped a photo of Keaton staring down at her in wonder and didn’t stop to consider why I wanted that photo so badly.

“We need to have a serious conversation,” Keaton said after a moment.

My stomach dropped. The last time I’d heard that, my ex had given me an ultimatum to either move away with him or end our relationship. He’d envisioned a life bigger than what he could have—with me—in Juniper Ridge. At the time, I’d been devastated that he hadn’t loved me enough to stay, but with distance, I’d realized I hadn’t loved him enough to leave.

Would Keaton want to keep in touch after he left, or would that be ridiculous? It was impossible to gauge what the stuff between us meant with him about to be in another state, and I was under no pretense that anything long-distance was an option. We needed a stronger foundation for that kind of effort.

I hoped we could stay friends. We’d developed at least that much of a relationship. Even the tenuous connection of following each other on Instagram helped his looming departure feel less final.

“Okay. What do you want to talk about?”

“I hope it’s okay to be direct with you.”

Keaton’s honesty was one of the things I appreciated most about him. I’d had enough men in my life who tip-toed around things, expected me to read their mind, or spoke in riddles. “Always.”

Keaton turned toward me, wearing a solemn expression. I was used to his teasing smiles, flirty glances, and his body always in motion. His still composure sent a shiver up my spine.

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