Page 86 of Chasing Stars
I gesture toward the display of very realistic pre-lit, artificial Christmas trees at the back of the store. “Well, there are a lot of those,” I say with a laugh.
“Nah. We need the real deal. What do you say?” He raises his eyebrows expectantly.
“I get off in ten minutes,” I say slowly. “Let’s do it! I haven’t had a real tree since I was a little girl.”
“Well, then you’re in for a treat.” Jake grins.
Aunt Leona comes up to the counter with several packages of multicolored Christmas lights and a star that twinkles. “Jake and I always listen to Christmas music while we decorate the tree, then we order Chinese food and watch a Christmas movie.”
I grin, nodding. “That sounds wonderful, thank you for thinking to include me. Christmas may be a little sad for me this year,” I murmur. “You know, it’s my first one without my mom.”
“How could I forget, sweetie?” Aunt Leona asks, patting my hand. “I know we’re a little early, but Thanksgiving is so late this year. I like to look at the lights as long as possible.”
“Sounds good to me,” I say, grinning with excitement. I scan her items.
Joy comes out from the back, whistling to herself. “Oh, hello there!” She greets my family.I have a family!“How goes it?”
“We came to see if Jenna wanted to come with us to get a Christmas tree,” Jake says, eyeing Joy with a bit of a twinkle in his eye.
“Oh, how fun!” Joy squeals. “I love Christmas!”
Aunt Leona swipes her card, and I hand over the bag of lights.
“You good here?” I turn to Joy.
She nods with a smile. “Definitely. Go have fun.” She makes a shooing motion with her hand.
“Thanks.” I grin, turning to get my hat and coat from the closet behind me. “I’ll see you,” I say, with a wave.
“Bye!” Joy shouts. Then a moment later, “Bye, Jake.”
I can’t help but notice Jake turning over his shoulder, grinning.
Two hours later,we pull into Aunt Leona’s parking space with the cutest little Douglas fir strapped to the roof. It isn’t a huge tree, but it’s definitely got some weight to it. Aunt Leona climbs out, and we assess how to get it upstairs.
“Well, I’m going to go order our dinner and get the boxes out of the closet,” Aunt Leona says, whirling around and climbing the steps. “You two got this, right?” she calls over her shoulder.
Jake and I look at each other and burst out laughing.
Jake opens the driver’s side door and stands on the side of the car so he can reach the rope. “You go on the other side and do the same.” He gestures with a nod.
I follow his lead, but I can’t reach the tree. “I can’t get it,” I tell him, groaning.
A throat clears behind me. My blood runs cold. It’s been over a week since I’ve seen him, and I’m not prepared for the backflips my heart does immediately in his presence. I sense him before I see him. He comes up behind me, reaching around myshoulder and tugging the tree toward us. Jake tosses the utility knife without a word, Miles catches it and cuts the rope.
“I would have gotten it,” I mutter.
His breath is hot in my ear. “I know you would have,” he murmurs.
The back of my neck tingles at his closeness. I want nothing more than to turn my face toward his, kiss, and make up. But I keep my eyes focused on Jake instead.
“Step down, let me help Jake,” he commands, but instead of sounding harsh, it’s sexy as hell. I do as I’m told, stepping back to give him room.
The two men lift the tree, and with Jake in front and Miles in back, they make for the stairs.
“I really could have done it,” I call after them.
Miles turns around, offering me a quick grin that turns my insides molten.You’re mad at him, Jenna. Remember.I need a pep talk.
