Page 16 of Sincerely Not Yours

He broke his stare, chasing away indecent thoughts, and looked toward the sponsored table, which was filling up. “We should get over there. You said you brought me a robe?”

“I did.” Gigi dipped down and retrieved a tote bag from underneath the table. “I picked out a navy one for you. Figured it would complement your serious business-man vibes.” She pulled a robe from the bag, a sarcastic glint in her eyes.

Harris removed his winter jacket. “That’s much better than a reindeer sweater,” he replied, accepting the robe. Gigi took his jacket, folded it up, and tucked it under the table.

“I’ve got slippers too.” As she half disappeared under the tablecloth, searching for the rest of his outfit, Harris slid the robe over his gray Henley. It was tight over his arms and across his shoulders, but he adjusted and tugged it into place, hoping it wouldn’t rip.

Gigi crawled out from under the table, setting a pair of plush navy slippers before him. When she looked up, she froze, still crouched on the carpet.

“What?” he asked. “Did I rip a seam?”

Gigi chuckled and stood. “I grabbed the biggest size we had, but the robe looks more like a blazer on you.”

He looked down at the silky hem hitting just below his hip. “Perfect fit,” he deadpanned. Gigi laughed with genuine amusement, and for a moment, their gazes locked. Something had shifted between them this afternoon. Maybe the kitten had lessened the friction? Harris could still picture the way Gigi had swooped in, immediately going soft at the sight of the stray animal and wanting to do everything she could to help him.

He smiled. The usual tightness in his chest eased.

“It’s a little snug,” he admitted.

Gigi stepped close and tugged at the lapel with both hands. As she did, her fingers rolled over his chest. “These robes weren’t meant for big, strong men.”

He swallowed, noting how her fingers had lingered for a second longer than necessary. Furthermore, he noted how he’d enjoyed that extra second.

“Tomorrow, I’ll order you a men’s XL tall, just in case we use these robes for other events.” Gigi gave him a friendly pat on the chest before stepping back.

“I’ll manage.” He cleared his throat. “As long as the slippers don’t cut off circulation to my toes.”

“You should be good there. I grabbed a size bigger than what Dean wears.”

Harris removed his boots and slid into the slippers. The cozy fleece surrounded his socked feet, and he gave Gigi a thumbs-up. “They fit.”

“Good. Nothing worse than uncomfortable shoes.” She handed him a sleep mask embroidered with the wordsSleeping Beauty. He grinned and anchored it on his forehead, just like Gigi’s mask.

Dressed for bedtime, they walked toward the sponsored table and prepped their area. As they did, Gigi explained her grand vision for a gingerbread spa, complete with candy cane lounge chairs and licorice pool noodles. Her animated descriptions entertained Harris, and to his surprise, he even made a few suggestions of his own. Her excitement peaked when he suggested adding a gumdrop hot tub. When the timed event started, they moved into an easy rhythm, since they’d already agreed on their individual tasks, and as they constructed their creation, light conversation flowed.

“You got everything you need for the kitten?” Gigi asked, piping royal icing onto the outer edge of one gingerbread wall. “The pet shop said to call if you need anything else.”

Harris nodded. “He’s all set. Settled in quickly at the house and was asleep when I left. Thanks for rounding up all his supplies.”

“No problem. It was fun to do some kitty shopping.” Gigi’s chocolate eyes glimmered. She popped a peppermint in her mouth and rolled it around. “I can’t wait to see him tomorrow at the office. Have you named him yet?”

Harris looked up from where he’d been intently adjusting the candy cane armrest of a lounge chair. “I wasn’t going to name him.”

“What? Why not?”

“I don’t want—” Harris paused. A flicker of vulnerability pulsed through him. He brushed it off. “I don’t want him to get confused when he goes to his new home, and they re-name him.” It was one thing to house the kitten and keep him safe. It was another to give him a name. Harris wouldn’t get attached. Getting attached to anything or anyone was bound to end in heartache. He’d lost enough people in his life to know.

“We can’t just call him kitten.” Gigi furrowed her brow, looking appalled by Harris’s suggestion.

He grabbed a handful of gumdrops from one of the candy bowls and assessed the color options in the palm of his hand, delaying his response. When he finally picked a purple candy, he replied with, “How about you name him?”

Gigi’s eyes widened. She stopped piping. “Really?”

“Yes. You name him. Otherwise, I’m going to keep calling him ‘kitten.’ Besides, you’re the one with the marketing background. You’ll be much more creative than me.”

Gigi’s mouth gaped. A little dollop of icing dropped from her pipette. “I’d love to!” She went back to drawing frosting shingles on the roof, energized by her new task. A bright smile captured her face, pushing warmth through Harris’s chest, and for the next ten minutes, Gigi led the conversation, rattling off name ideas.Garfield. Tank. Rufus. Archie. Cookie. Lovebug.Harris didn’t shoot down a single name. He just listened and nodded as Gigi justified and then dismissed each option.

“Oh! I’ve got it!” She gasped, setting down the frosting bag. Harris situated the last gumdrop on the edge of the hot tub. “Rudolph!”

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