Page 11 of Christmas for Keeps

“And you couldn’t wait until the blizzard passed?”

He closed the dishwasher, pushed the start button, and leaned against the counter. “It wasn’t bad this morning when I started out. They were still predicting the snow would turn north. Since it doesn’t take long to drive to Montpelier, I didn’t think it would be a problem.”

“What happened?”

“Same thing as you. The storm didn’t change course, and during the time it took me to pick up my things and eat lunch at my favorite diner, the blizzard hit.”

“It’s good you have that tank to drive.”

“Absolutely. I got it my first winter here, and it’s never let me down.” He put a hand on my arm and guided me back to the great room. “Want to see some paintings?”

“Duh.” Every wall was covered with canvases. “Are all these yours?”

“Yes.”

He led me to a painting of Main Street in Stowe, looking very different from the wintry village we’d driven through earlier. “This is from last summer. A woman from Pennsylvania commissioned it, and I liked it so much I painted a second one for me.”

I leaned in close to study it. “How beautiful. Look how you mixed the colors. They’re vibrant but the shades are unusual. And your brushstrokes are different, more varied.” Looking at him, I shook my head in admiration. “You were always good, but now you’re amazing.”

He shrugged. “Art school and experience.”

“Plus a shitload of talent. I always told you you’d make it.”

He blushed, showing the shy streak that had always made me want to hold him. “I’m still a struggling artist, but I’m making progress.”

“You said a woman commissioned the painting. Do you get many commissions?”

“More and more. Word of mouth, I guess, and people find my website.”

“You have a website?”

How the fuck have I missed that? I thought I was a good internet stalker.

But you haven’t looked in a while.

No, it hurt too much.

“I hired a guy in town to build it last year, and he did a super job. We’ll look at it later.”

After showing me more paintings, Zach put on one of the playful smiles that used to get him anything he wanted. “There are more in my studio. I’ll show you soon, but for now, how about a rematch?”

“Rematch?” Was he using that as a euphemism for sex? Not the worst idea I’d ever heard, but I had to be strong for us both. A few days going down that memory lane could leave us hurting.

He scoffed. “Mario Kart. Our old game, remember?”

Sex? Could I be any fuller of myself?“We used to have a ball when we played.”

“I have several versions now. Come and see.” Taking my hand, he led me to a large entertainment center that contained an astonishing number of video games. “All theMario Kartgames are on the left. Pick the one you want to play while I get us more wine.”

I chuckled. “Trying to get me drunk?”

“Why not?” He waggled his eyebrows. “Never was hard to do, Mr. Got-Drunk-on-Three-Beers.”

I snickered while I thought about our first meeting. He’d rescued me after I got drunk at a fraternity party. “I can’t argue about that.”

He winked. “I didn’t take advantage then, and I won’t try to now.”

So, the idea of sex tonighthadcrossed his mind.

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