Page 62 of How He Got the Girl
“Did you end up checking with her facility to make sure we can bring a live tree?”
“Yeah, it just has to be under seven feet, but I don’t think we’ll have an issue there.” I gesture to the meager selection.
Mallory moves forward, walking between the trees as if assessing the value. She finally stops beside the little one. “I think this one will be perfect for your granny’s facility.”
“Right.” My laugh is dry. I step closer, examining the other two trees, trying to decide which one is the least damaged.
“I’m serious.” Mallory grabs my arm, pulling me to her side. The small motion doesn’t go unnoticed. Something changed in Mallory after I carried her to Shayna’s car at the Winter Market. It might have been my eyes playing a cruel trick on me, but it looked like she wanted me to kiss her in the car before we came here. And when she said she wanted to talk soon, after I said that I wasn’t acting…well, let’s just say I hope we can have that conversationverysoon.
“It’s a little Charlie Brown tree, neglected by everyone else. It deserves a good home for Christmas, too.” She shrugs. “Plus, it’s small, so it should fit well in her room.”
She’s not wrong. A large tree would take up the majority of Granny’s living space.
“As long as you think we can make it look full of cheer.” I look at her and she nods, so I raise my hand to draw the attention of the lot attendant. I didn’t think that would be hard to do when we’re the only people here…with three trees. But I could’ve had all of them loaded and strapped down atop Mallory’s car in the time it takes him to walk over to us. This teenager likely hates his job, but I can’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to be working here while on winter break either.
When he reaches us, the boy sounds bored as he asks, “How can I help you?”
“We’ll take this one.” I gesture to the small tree.
“That one?” The boy’s mouth falls open. “You sure?” When I nod, he laughs. “Just take it. My parents would kill me if I made you pay for it.”
“What do you normally charge per tree?”
“Usually ten dollars per foot, but it’d feel wrong taking thirty for that.”
I reach into my pocket, grab my wallet, and pull out three hundred dollars. “I think this should more than cover allthree trees so you can go home and spend time with your family.”
The boy’s entire demeanor changes. He lights up brighter than the star atop the tree downtown. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” I give him the bills. “On one condition.”
“Anything.” He bounces on the balls of his feet.
“You drop the other two trees off somewhere they can bring joy to someone. A homeless shelter. A nursing home. Anywhere you can think of.”
The boy salutes me. “Yes, sir. Thank you.” He shoves the bills in his pocket and moves with purpose, strapping down the little tree to the top of Mallory’s car. It looks ridiculous—such a small tree atop a big car—when it could’ve easily fit in her trunk, but I’m not going to deny the kid his job.
Mallory sidles up next to me, fisting her hands on her hips. “You don’t have to give money away to impress me.”
“When I’ve been blessed, it only seems right to give to others.” I kick the gravel in the lot. Realizing what she said earlier, I smile at her. “Did you say that you’reimpressedwith me?”
“Did I?” A winter breeze hits, and she smooths back her curls.
I wrap my arms around her, surprised when she returns the embrace. “I like it when you talk sweet to me.”
She pats my chest. “Don’t get used to it.”
Can she feel the rapid racing of my heart beneath her fingertips? I wonder what her reaction would be if she knew it beat that way forher.
Always her.
Onlyher.
“I wouldn’t dare.” My lips tilt into a smile.
Mallory’s eyes dart to my lips before dragging back up to mine. She’s looking at me like she did at the Winter Market and in the car. I almost kissed her both times, but I promised myself I’d let her make the first move. I’m not going to scare her away again, but keeping that promise is extremely difficult when she’s looking at my lips likethat.
I lower my head closer to hers. Our noses brush, and I—
