Page 40 of If You Give a Grump a Christmas Tree Farm
“I’m fine. I’m going to go to bed and upload this ad to social media.” I stand, but JJ snags my hand, stopping me.
“Hey.”
When I pause, he rubs his thumb over the back of my hand. “This was a great idea.” He nods to the laptop. “You’re really smart about this stuff; even the matching shirts turned out to be a good idea.”
“Thanks.” My eyes fill, and a second later, he’s on his feet.
“Becca, what is it? What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. “I’m not used to the compliments.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets, almost like he’s doing it to keep from reaching for me. “You deserve them, and I’msorry if you haven’t gotten them. I’m sure my brother never appreciated how great you are.”
For some insane reason, I take a step forward and press my lips to his, shocking him. I linger for a second longer than a quick peck, and his eyes flare when I pull back. “Thanks, JJ.”
Then before he can say or do anything, I walk to the bedroom and close the door. I press my back against it and touch my fingers to my lips.
God, I hope I didn’t just ruin everything.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
JJ—
Rebecca paces the living room, talking to someone who I have deduced to be her sister. “Yes, Amanda, I will be there. Have I ever missed one of her performances? Of course I’m not coming alone.”
My gut clenches with distaste at the thought she’s going out with someone, and I feel something I’ve never felt before. I think I might be fucking jealous. The thought of another man touching her has my blood boiling. She’s not mine. She’d be the best thing that ever happened to me, but I’d be the worst thing that ever happened to her, and I can’t let that happen. But I also don’t want her to be with anyone else. I run a hand down my face. What is wrong with me? This girl, that’s what.
“I’ll see you tonight at six.”
I glance at my grandfather’s watch, which I’ve worn like an old habit. It’s four thirty now.
“Love you, too.” She disconnects, and I immediately straighten from where I’ve been sitting watching her pace back and forth.
She turns toward me and wrings her hands. “I have this thing tonight. Actually, it’s my niece’s choir concert.”
“Okay.”
“I kind of told my sister I was bringing someone.”
“I heard. Am I going to meet the lucky guy?”
“Well, actually, I was hoping you’d go with me.”
And just like that, the anger and jealousy I’d felt only moments ago evaporate.
“Me?”
“Yeah, my sister has been hounding me to get back out there, and I don’t want to hear them berate me about it.”
“So, I’m pretending to be your date?”
“Um, yeah, sorta… I don’t know.” She brushes her hand over her face and plops down on the couch next to me. “Never mind, I’ll just—”
I stop her with a hand on her thigh. “I’ll go. No need to stress, darlin’.”
“Really?”
“I’ve got you.”
