Page 31 of Here Comes Santa Paws

He walked to his couch, where several dog accessories were lined up. “Somehow, he’s convinced me to change a lightbulb, make him coffee, and get his mail.”

I shook my head. “I’m surprised he doesn’t have you cooking for him yet.”

Roman’s teasing smile made his devastatingly handsome face even more attractive. “I still have weeks left of working with him. You never know.”

I grinned, and a heated moment passed between us. “How long have you known he’s my grandfather?”

“Since Friday. He kept going on and on and on about his pain-in-the-ass grandson and a pain-in-the-ass dog and a pain-in-the-ass issue at the animal shelter. I put two and two together.” His teasing smirk made me dizzy.

“It’s a small world,” he said.

“Small town,” I countered. I joined him in front of his couch. “What do you need my thoughts on?”

Roman showed me the three harnesses and two sets of booties he’d picked up. “Which do you think would work best? I don’t trust the opinion of the teenager at the pet store.”

I bit my bottom lip to stop my smile. It was so adorable how all-in he was going on this. I knew he’d be great for Carol and Carol for him.

After recommending a harness and bootie set, I inched closer to him.

“You really are welcome to join us at Thanksgiving tomorrow. It’s just me, Gramps, and enough food to feed a family of ten.”

I’d idly considered inviting him but had thought it’d be too much, given the whole kiss thing. But who could turn down an invitation from a charmingly pushy old man?

He placed his hands on his hips, and the move made my mouth water. “What kind of food are we talking about?”

I began counting off on my fingers. “Turkey, stuffing, ham, mashed potatoes, baked beans, brussels sprouts, strawberry Jello salad, deviled eggs, pumpkin pie, chocolate cream pie. Hmm. Rolls? Probably more that I’m forgetting. It’s way more than we can eat, but the shelter volunteers always appreciate whatever leftovers I bring in.”

His eyes widened as the list grew. “Ham and turkey?”

“Why choose?” I shrugged.

Roman’s lips twitched. “A damn good question. What can I bring?”

I rocked on my heels as my smile grew out of control. “Maybe drinks if there’s something specific you want?”

He nodded. “How about a green bean casserole too? My mom always makes that.”

Be still my heart. “I’d love that. See you tomorrow?”

“See you then.”

I floated back to my place. I wanted to close the door behind me, slide to the ground, and kick my feet. When I opened the door, Gramps’s smug grin greeted me.

“Told you that you’d like my PT. If there was a fainting couch, you’d swoon.”

“I absolutely would not. You’re in trouble for keeping this from me. No chocolate pie for you tomorrow.”

Gramps petted the dogs as they rejoined him on the couch. “Your daddy is full of shit, isn’t he? He’s got a crush on his neighbor.”

The dogs barked. Even Krampus meowed.

Traitors. The lot of them.

It was hard to finish my dinner with a smile so wide.

Chapter 15

Roman

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