Page 53 of More Than Words
The question took me off guard.Ethan had explained how movie night was their special father-daughter activity.He didn’t have to come right out and say it for me to see how special it was to him.And considering I was just supposed to be his neighbor and friend and nothing more…
“I don’t think?—”
“That’s very nice?—”
Ethan and I spoke at the same time.
Quinn raised her eyebrows and looked between us.
I cleared my throat and spoke first.“Thanks for the invite, Quinn.That’s sweet.But my night is totally booked already.”
“It is?”Ethan stared at me.
Again, Quinn gave us each a look.
I focused on her before I could think too much more about it.“It is,” I told her.“I need to start dragging all my Christmas decorations out of storage so I can start putting them up.”
She perked up.“Like in the store?”
I nodded.“You bet.”
“Thewholestore?”
“Every single corner.”I smiled.“Lights, pine boughs, a window display, and…well, basically everything you can think of.”
“Candy canes?”
“Obviously.”
“Gingerbread houses?”
“Of course.”
“A tree?”
I just gave her a “duh” look.
“What about?—”
“Isn’t it a little early for Christmas decorations?”
Both Quinn and I spun and stared in abject horror at her father.
“Early?”
“Never.”
We both laughed, and he shook his head.
“I love Christmas,” I said when I’d recovered enough.“And to be honest, it’s the biggest sales season for me.I feel like I show enough restraint waiting until the start of November, to be honest.”
“Fair enough.”Ethan shrugged.“Maybe I should do a festive brew?”
“You totally should, Dad.Maybe a candy cane flavor.”
Ethan’s eyes grew wide, and he shook his head.“I should be glad you don’t know anything about beer at your age, kiddo.But…no.That would be horrible.”
“Whatever.I think it would be good.”
