Page 10 of Christmas Agreement
“So I can have a stroke when I forget about it?” I shook my head and laughed. “No way.” I picked it up and shoved it into his chest. “Put it back.”
“You’re a spoilsport,” he complained, but he set it back on the shelf.
“And you’re a child. You can have one when you’re all grown up and have your own house,” I laughed.
“Promise?”
I blinked at him. Promise? “Um, sure.”
“I’m holding you to that,” he said, his dark eyes burning into me. What the what anyway? He confused me, but that look. I felt it burn in places that shouldn’t be thinking of him, my brother’s best friend. But oh, they did.
“Are we done?” I asked.
“I guess so since you won’t let me get the snowman inflatable,” he said with a sigh. He motioned toward the cart. “This is a good start, anyway.”
“A good start?” I stared at the pile of Christmas cheer threatening to overflow the red basket. “My apartment is going to look like it got invaded by Whoville refugees.”
“With any luck,” he agreed, nodding. How was it that he was the proverbial Buddy the Elf while I was apparently The Grinch?
Unconcerned, he threaded his fingers through mine as easily as he had this morning, making it seem as if we’d been holding hands for years. We walked up to the register to pay with Rugar occasionally swiping things from the shelves we passed andadding them to our collection. The items filled the belt, and when the cashier gave me the total, I almost fainted. But before I could pull out my credit card, Rugar was already producing over his.
“No!” I protested. “It’s my apartment.”
“And it was my idea,” he insisted. He tapped his card on the reader before I could stop him.
I would never win this fight. Rugar wasNational Lampoon’sClark Griswold unleashed. I’d have to make sure he didn’t climb on the roof to hang lights or electrocute himself, but I couldn’t deny I was having a lot of fun with him. Whether we ended up good friends, boyfriend and girlfriend, or maybe even someday husband and wife, I knew I’d always be grateful for any and all time spent with him.
Six
Rugar
“So, full disclosure,” I said while we sat on the couch. The tree was set up and lit, and we decided to eat pizza by the glow of twinkle lights even though we’d planned to do that Monday. “There’s this thing tomorrow night. I was going to blow it off because I had planned to crash your evening again.”
I saw her disappointment even though she smiled. A good sign, right?
Her shoulder lifted. “Well, you don’t have to. If you have athingyou need to attend.”
“Come with me,’ I blurted, then realized I should probably give more information. “It’s a charity fundraiser. Part of the ticket sales went toToys For Totsand any additional revenue or donations tomorrow, which will probably be a lot knowing this group, will go to the food pantry. The tickets are forThe Nutcrackerat theMajestic Falls Performance Hall.I have an extra ticket if you want to come with me.”
Katie’s mouth dropped open. “Shut. Up! You know how much I love that ballet. I’ve never been able to seeThe Nutcrackerlive. When my parents were going to take me to the performance in New York City, we had to cancel because I had pneumonia.” I remembered that all too well. I’d been terrified and thoughtshe’d end up in the hospital. After my grandpa had died from a respiratory virus the year before, Katie’s illness had chilled me to my core.
“So that’s a yes?” I asked, suddenly fighting the need to hug her tight. I fisted my hands at my sides to keep from reaching for her.
“I can’t even believe you were going to blow that off! I’d give my right arm…”
“So…that’s a yes?” I repeated, somehow needing to hear it more then I could understand.
“Hell, yes,” she breathed. “Yes, yes, yes!”
“Good.” The single word didn’t come close to conveying my feelings. Now that I’d gotten my foot in the proverbial door, I was taking every single opportunity I could to be with her.
I pulled out my phone. “I’m sending our coordinator a note to tell her I’m bringing a date.”
“A date,” Katie echoed.
My gaze slid to her, my brow raising in challenge. “Yes. Problem?”
“Nope.” She fiddled with her plate. “Nope, no problem.”
