Page 51 of Tinsel & Tools
He glanced down, caught me, and smirked. “Like what you see?”
“Hang the ornaments.” I rolled my eyes, heat creeping up my neck.
“Didn’t sound like a no,” he teased, placing another.
“Keep teasing, and you’ll be decorating alone.”
“You wouldn’t leave me to suffer through this all by myself.” He stretched again, standing on his toes to try for the top. His fingers slipped, and the ornament slid down a few branches.
“You’re too short,” I remarked playfully.
He shot me a look. “I’m not too short. You’re just too tall. Probably never had to climb a chair in your life.”
I stepped in and extended over him, hooking the ornament in place without effort. “Somebody’s got to finish the job.”
“Show-off. But I like that you’re taller. Kind of sexy, actually.”
I grinned. “Careful. Keep talking like that, and you’ll end up climbing me instead of a chair.”
He laughed as he brushed past me to grab another ornament. “And will that be such a bad thing?”
“Let’s finish the tree first.” I chuckled.
“Fine, and now for the important part.” He grabbed a bag of metallic tinsel.
I frowned. “Are we really putting tinsel on the tree?”
“Don’t knock it. This makes Christmas.” He took a handful and flung it across the branches, silver catching in the lights.
“It’s messy.”
“It’s perfect.” He passed me a clump. “Your turn.”
We worked opposite sides, tossing handfuls on until all the branches shimmered. At one point, he smiled and dropped a bunch in my hair, the silver strands going into my face.
I shook my head, laughing. “You’re cleaning that up.”
“Fine.” He stepped closer and plucked one free, his fingers dragging slowly through my hair before flicking it to the floor. “Actually, you wear it well.”
I grabbed a fistful from the bag and threw it back at him, silver landing across his shoulder and chest. “Now we’re even.”
He brushed at his shirt. “Now we both look ridiculous.”
“You started it,” I shot back, reaching for another handful.
Once we finished, Gavin tore open the last box and held up a silver star. “You do the honors.”
I took it from him, reached over the top branches, and set it in place. The star caught the lights, and the whole tree glowed brighter.
He tilted his head, studying it. “You’re sure it’s straight?”
“Straight enough,” I returned.
His mouth twitched like he was trying not to laugh. “I’ll let that one go.”
I shook my head, and he faced the tree.
“It’s perfect.”
