Page 110 of The Twelve Months of Christmas
Arianna looked hot in her red top and those white shorts that showed off those perfect legs. His hands itched to take a little road trip along all her great curves and start some fireworks of their own. He stuffed them in his back pockets in an effort to smother the urge.
“We won’t get the view we would at Molly’s house but I bet we can see something,” Arianna said.
“I want to watch,” put in Sophie.
“From bed. You’ll be able to see out your window,” Arianna told her. “Go on in and brush your teeth. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“No fair,” Sophie said, and trudged off.
“I remember those days,” Alden said. “It seemed like all the fun stuff happened after us kids went to bed.”
“She got to stay up for the fireworks at the Christmas-in-June party, and she’s had plenty of fun today. Thanks for including us.”
“Glad to,” he said.
She pointed to the house. “I’ll just go in and get her settled and see if I can find something for us to drink.”
“I’ll take Buster home and be back,” he said.
“Great.”
Thanks to doggie drugs Buster was feeling laid-back and happy to get settled on his doggie bed. “I know, I shouldn’t go over there,” Alden said as he laid Buster down. “But what could I do? She invited me. Anyway, we’re just gonna keep things cool. We don’t need to get serious. Of course, I like her a lot,” he continued. “But, like I told Mom, the timing’s not right.”
Buster gave a combination sigh-snort.
“You think I should go for it?”
Buster yawned.
Alden took that as a yes. “I’ll come back if it gets too loud,” he promised, then hurried next door even though he knew Arianna would still be busy getting her daughter tucked in and her mom settled. He plunked down on the top porch step and leaned against the post and thought about the first time he’d seen Arianna out on this porch. She’d been screaming into her phone. Not a good first impression.
After meeting her ex, he could see why she’d screamed. The guy was an asshat.
How had she wound up with him, anyway?
The door opened and she came out, bearing two bottles of beer. She handed him one and sat down on the other side of the step, facing him. “It was a great night. Thanks.”
“What do you mean was?” he joked. “I’m still here.”
She giggled. “That you are.” She looked away, bit her lip.
“What?” he prompted.
“I’m kind of wondering why.”
“Why? What do you mean?”
“I mean, are you here as my neighbor? My friend?”
“Both,” he said earnestly.
She nodded, took a draw on her beer bottle.
“Uh, is that okay?” he ventured.
“Oh, yes, yes, of course. I just...wanted to be clear. I mean.” She sighed. “I suck at relationships.”
“If you’re thinking about that loser I met earlier...”
