Page 59 of Here Comes Santa Paws

“Good to meet you both,” I said.

After they set their tasting trays on the table, I shook their hands.

“How’s Coal doing?”

I couldn’t help my chuckle at Elias’s enthusiasm. He probably remembered the name of every pet he’d adopted out, though with his love for Christmas names, there had probably been several Coals over the years.

“We love him so much already. He’s the perfect purring space heater,” Joel said.

Hayden laughed. “He shits a lot too.”

“You’d happily clean up after him forever.”

Hayden’s expression softened. “I would.”

Joel glanced between us. “How do you guys know each other?”

Elias smiled briefly at me before redirecting his attention to his friends. “He’s my neighbor.”

Joel raised his eyebrows and darted a glance in my direction. “Theneighbor? The Grinch to your Griswold?”

Elias’s smile turned wry. “The one and only.”

I chuckled. I liked that he talked to his friends about me. Probably too much.

He placed his hand on my back beneath my shoulder blades. It was a casual touch high enough on my back that it could be read as friendly or intimate. I surprised myself by hoping for the latter.

The newcomers seemed to struggle with biting back their laughter.

Joel turned to me. “I’m surprised he hasn’t decorated your half of the duplex yet.”

I exaggerated a grimace. “I haven’t ruled it out.”

Elias pinched my side, and I grinned at him. I lost myself to the twinkle in his eyes for several long moments. When I looked away, Elias’s friends watched us with knowing smiles.

We fell into an easy conversation as we finished our tasters. Soon, Elias and Joel began talking shop about some spring event they were excited about. Hayden and I chatted about our jobs—he was a graphic designer at a nearby college.

A few minutes later, Elias and Joel went to get us more drinks. Before Hurricane Elias stormed into my life, I would’ve rather jammed a fork into my hand than make small talk with a stranger. Blame it on the buzz—from the alcohol or Elias—but conversation with Hayden came easily.

“I’ve always admired the skill of graphic designers. It’s got to be hard to try and sell or promote or inform in a visually appealing way.”

Hayden’s eyebrows lifted. “Graphic design isn’t exactly saving lives, but I appreciate the ego boost.”

I shrugged. “Art is just as important.”

“Are you artistic?”

I opened my mouth to say no, but I remembered how Elias marched over to my framed landscapes the first time he’d been at my house and stared open-mouthed at them. “I’m a hobby photographer.”

“What do you take pictures of?”

“Landscapes, but more recently, pets.”

Hayden laughed. “Elias?”

“How’d you guess?” I deadpanned.

We talked about photography, and I was laughing at a story about one of Hayden’s coworkers when Elias and Joel approached carrying two plastic pint cups each. Elias didn’t comment, but I could see the joy in his eyes.

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