Page 33 of A Cheesecake Christmas

Theo

As she looks at me from her balcony, Aria’s thick, chestnut hair hangs to one side, catching crystals of snow as she gives up a delicious laugh.

“So. We’re sharing a wall, huh?” she says. “And we have identical balconies.”

Yes. Yes, we are. And yes, we do.

“And I have a lot of work piling up, so I’ll be here for some long hours,” I say. I can’t help the grin that’s splitting my face. What could be better than daydreaming of Aria in the room next to me?

But I need to rein it in, recall my frivolous and indulgent thoughts back.

“Hey, maybe we could rig up a basket system and you could pass me some cheesecake when I get a hankering for it,” I say, grasping for a casualness I don’t feel. “You know, like a dumbwaiter that works horizontally?”

She clicks her tongue. “If you want cheesecake, you can come next door and pay for it like a civilized person.”

“Gladly. But I could pass you some cash with the basket.”

She shakes her head, but her smile is wide. “You’re impossible. I better go finish moving in. Thanks for bringing my filing cabinet up for me.” She presses her palm to her forehead. “Is your back okay?”

“It’s fit as a fiddle,” I say, and then cringe. This time my accent sounds more Irish than British.

I should just stop now. I’ll chalk it up to nerves.

I told her she was beautiful, and that Rob chump was an idiot. Not in so many words. But there was something there between us, a more powerful pull than I’ve felt with anyone. All the people I’ve dated casually have been blips on the radar of my life. They’ve fulfilled the measure of exactly what I’d hoped for—nothing more than a momentary distraction.

But Aria? Ever since I laid eyes on her two years ago, she’s been an ever-present thrum on my consciousness. She’s on a whole other plane than anyone I’ve known. And after my last breakup months ago, I’ve been trying to figure out how to move past this fascination with her. She’s with someone else and the jealousy and anger that comes with that knowledge just might do me in.

I meant what I said. She’s beautiful, yes. But she’s also underappreciated by the man who should be giving her his whole world. To me, that’s unacceptable.

I can’t bring all this up now, though, especially as we’re standing a few feet apart on our respective balconies, freezing our booties off.

“Well. Bye.” She offers a little beauty-queen wave and ducks her head back inside.

She better not think I’m done helping her.

I hear someone clear their throat behind me, so I stand up straight and turn to see Weatherby in the doorframe.

“Is there a problem with the balcony?” Weatherby asks.

“Oh, no. Not at all.” I give the railing a solid pat before moving to walk back into my office. “Do you need any help getting your furniture in?”

Weatherby shakes his head as he steps aside to let me through. “I’ve hired it out, and they’re almost done.” His gaze goes around the room. “I almost envy you, being the only one to have an office on the top floor. It’s nice and quiet up here. And you get a little balcony.”

“But your office is three times the size.”

“Yeah.” He sits down on the chair across from my desk. “It’s a nice building. I hope it ends up being a smart move for business.”

I swallow hard. This was my idea, one that, to be honest, I’m sometimes surprised came to fruition. When Jesse told me several months ago about the movement to revitalize this section of downtown and all the kickbacks businesses could get if they relocate, I told Weatherby all about it. I knew he’d been looking to either move or remodel, and the idea of being next to Camilla’s bakeshop, and therefore, my brother, was appealing.

And yeah. I wanted to be near Aria’s work. Now she’s living here, too. Bonus!

“I think it’s going to be great for business,” I say. “The office is super nice.”

And I wouldn’t trade offices with Weatherby now. Because this is a good situation. I like being right next to Aria’s new place. I like having twinning balconies.

Weatherby nods, and I can tell he’s deep in thought about something else.

“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?” I ask.

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