Page 5 of Checked Out by the Grinch
I need my brain to relax now.
So then why is it fixating on the massive man that’s supposed to call me later? Why am I imagining what he does to make those hands so strong and rough? Why am I thinking about the way his thick frame would feel pressing into mine?
Clearly, I need help.
I grab the books from the passenger seat, tuck my coat tighter around my waist, and head inside to the jovial sounds of Evie and Kade chasing each other back and forth in the hallway.
“Hey!” Evie shines the second I step into the house. “How’d it go?”
I crack a smile and hold up the books. “I think I found something good. This guy is having them authenticated right now. I should know what they’re worth by the end of the day.”
“Oh shit!” Evie barrels into me for a hug. “That’s fantastic! You must be so relieved!”
“Cautiously optimistic,” I say, leaning down to lift Kade up for a kiss. He’s covered in red and green marker, and he smells like cinnamon. “Did Aunt Evie let you run the show while Mommy was out?”
Kade grins and wiggles down from my grip with a wild look in his eye that confirms my suspicions.
“I like seeing him happy.” Evie shrugs. “What can I say?”
“Nothing. I’m just glad you were here today. Thank you for watching him.”
“No worries. I’m always happy to spend time with the little rugrat.” She raises her brows and draws in a deep breath. “Which is why I’m thinking he should come back to my place tonight. We can finish up the Christmas project we’re working on for you, and you can have the night to yourself. I know you could use it.”
Without Evie, I’m pretty sure I’d be devastatingly lonely and unable to cope with real life. She has a sixth sense that locks in without hesitation whenever I need it.
“What about the hops?” I glance toward Kade jumping like a rabbit down the hallway. “He’s eaten a lot of sugar. Tonight will be… fun.” I raise my brows, playfully teasing.
“He’s fine. We’ll eat some veggies to offset the sugar, and he’ll be calmed back down in no time.” She grins and grabs his bag from the closet as though the night is a foregone conclusion.
“So, tell me more about the guy doing the appraisal of your books. Is he hot? Should you have a night of rough,” she glances toward Kade, then adjusts her sentence accordingly, “playwith him?”
“Yeah, I don’t think so. I mean,” I tilt my head to the side and smile, “he seems like a bit of a grump, but yeah, he’s hot. Like,hot… hot.”
“Don’t tell him that. Men are way more interested when you don’t act impressed.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “So I should just pretend I didn’t notice that his shoulders are built like a fireman in one of those charity calendars?”
“Oh damn… he does sound hot. What’s he do for a living?” She tucks into the bathroom, grabs Kade’s toothbrush, then crosses the hallway toward his room, stuffing pajamas and an outfit into the bag before grabbing his favorite dinosaur off his bed.
“No clue, but he’s got these big, strong, rough man hands.” I lean against the door frame and sigh. “I…”
“You need to get laid. How long has it been… really?”
I shrug. “I don’t know, three years.”
Her eyes widen dramatically. “Three years? No wonder you’re salivating over calluses. Call him, be upfront, and tell him exactly what you want.” She shrugs. “I did that once, and this guy totally respected it. Got me out of my dry spell.”
“You’re a virgin.”
“Well, yeah, we didn’t have sex, but we like… almost had sex. And we kissed a lot, so… call this hot, brooding, shoulder guy and offer yourself up as sacrifice. I guarantee he won’t turn you down. Men are easy.”
“Is this the kind of language my son is absorbing around you?” I land my hand on my hip playfully. “You’re corrupting him.”
“Please,” she laughs, lifting him into her arms. “He still thinks the moon follows him home. I think we’re good.”
Kade wraps his arms around Evie’s neck and hums low as though the sugar is wearing off and he’s sleepy. I’m so thankful for the relationship she has with him. It’s sweet and easy, and I know he sees her like I do, as family.
“Thank you. I could really use this break tonight.”
