Page 17 of A Not So Merry Kiss-mas
“Yeah. Just a rock, I think.” I say, hoping to cover my stumble.
Am I okay? Physically, absolutely. Emotionally? That’s an entirely different answer. Though my feet may have gotten caught up, it’s really my heart that was tripped. Because I’m falling hard and fast for the woman by my side.
“Are you sure you’re all right carrying both of those?” Melanie asks for the third time about the two trees on one shoulder. The trees are five feet tall, which are on the smaller side for trees, both wrapped in netting, and I’m a firefighter. Not to brag or anything, but I’ve been trained to lift a person and carry them in this exact same position. These trees are nothing.
“You do know what I do for a living, right?” I glance over at her and wink. “This is less than my everyday workout.”
“Alright, Incredible Hulk—”
“I prefer Captain America if you don’t mind. Steve Rogers is controlled and disciplined, whereas the Hulk is overly emotional. Plus green isn’t really my color.”
“Marvel fan, I see.” Melanie’s laughter rings throughout the street, and I can feel my chest expanding knowing I’m the reason for it. “I was just saying you’re strong.”
Glancing over, I can see her watching the people across the street, a soft smile on her lips. I let my gaze linger there for a moment before facing forward and watching where I’m going. “Who’s your favorite Marvel character?”
“What makes you think I have one?” I narrow my eyes at her, only to have her chuckle. “What if I said I had two?”
“I’m not sure you can have two, but maybe this time I’ll give you a pass.”
“You’ll give me a pass?” She scoffs and gives me a mock scowl, and I counter by beaming at her. This is a pretend side of the real grumpy woman I originally met, but I can honestly say I find every version adorable. “Peter Parker and Peter Quill.”
My brows quirk. “Both Peters?”
She shrugs. “They both seem like humble people and don’t really see themselves as super. Does that make sense?”
I purse my lips for a second as I put my hand on the handle of our apartment entrance and think. The reason she likes them could be the exact reason I’m drawn to some of the other characters, but I can see what she’s saying. Then she goes and ruins it.
“Or maybe I’m just a fan of the name Peter.”
I throw my head back and howl.
“Should I change my name?” I waggle my brows at her as she walks through the door and into the building’s entryway. The tiniest laugh escapes her, and what follows almost sends me to my knees.
“The name Michael is growing on me.”
“Is that so?” I ask from behind her as we make our way up the stairs, our footsteps echoing in the hallway.
When we reach our floor, she pulls the door open and holds it for me. “I guess you’ll just have to stick around to find out.”
I don’t plan on going anywhere, anytime soon, Mel.
“Let’s leave this one here,” I say, standing the noble fir up by her door and then moving over to Mrs. Fletcher’s apartment. “When we’re done helping Mrs. F get her tree into the tree stand so it can settle overnight, we’ll do the same for yours.”
“Tree stand?” Melanie stops dead, and her mouth forms a big ‘O’.
“Yes. How else did you think it would stand up?” My grin falls off my face when I see her worrying her lip.
“I don’t have a tree stand.”
My heart aches at the disappointment written all over her face. “I have one. You can use mine.”
“But then you won’t have anything for your tree.” Her wide eyes are filled with wonder at my offer.
I shrug. “I wasn’t going to be home for Christmas Day since I’m working. We’re going to get a Christmas tree for the station, so I’m good.”
Melanie stands next to me at Mrs. Fletcher’s door with glistening eyes and smiles at me.
“What?” I knock on the door.
