Page 35 of A Love Like Christmas Time
“I’ll tell you if I need help,” he says absentmindedly, clearly not intending to. I stick out my tongue at his back.
“Oh, I got it. Here’s what I’ll do. Now that I have you here, we can think more about the gingerbread motifs for our Christmas market booth!”
“You realize I never actually agreed to that,” he points out, and my grin widens.
“That’s okay. You didn’t have to.” The laugh that leaves me as I walk out of the room with both of my cats hugged to me would make the Evil Queen jealous.
Chapter 14
Lauren
“Caleb built your shelves?” Nic’s head whips around to me, eyes wide before her whole face splits into a grin. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, he totally built my bookshelves.” I confirm with a nod, biting my lip to stop myself from bursting into a giggle.
“Is there an echo in here?” Kieran asks, confused. Without even looking at him, I reach for one of the pillows on his couch and chuck it his way to the other side of the room.
He called us over earlier today and asked us to help him film content. I was going to battle the chaos in my living room finally, so this was a welcome excuse to procrastinate. Also, I’m dying to learn how he films his half-naked dancing videos without cringing.
Richard, because I refuse to call a cute little creature Dick, immediately rushes after it thinking we’re playing catch and almost pummels Kieran to the ground as a result.
“I need to hear every detail.” Nic pulls her leg onto the couch to fully turn to me, hugging a pillow to her chest, her eyes glistening with curiosity.
“He came over yesterday with a big-ass toolbox and got right on it. He seemed almost enthusiastic. I didn’t realize building furniture was such a passion of his.” Nic shakes her head amusedly. “You know how he barely talks? I’m telling you, he wouldn’t shut up while he put them together. Though admittedly, it was mostly cursing and muttering insults to thedesigners and furniture-architects under his breath.” I continue, ignoring Nic’s skeptically raised eyebrow.
“And what did you do in the meantime?”
“Probably swooning and drooling,” Kieran says offhandedly, fumbling to secure his camera on a tripod.
“I did some research for—” I stop myself before I reveal what we are going to be doing for the Christmas market and clear my throat. “Research for the Christmas season.”
“Sure,” Nic says with an eye roll, then squeals happily when Richard jumps onto the couch, and flops himself on his back to expose his belly in hopes for some belly rubs. Demanding. Just like his dad.
“Considering you two came over to help, you aren’t exactly helpful,” Kieran says pointedly.
The two of us turn to him and simultaneously freeze.
“When did you take off your shirt?” Nic tilts her head, confused.
“Damn,” that’s all I can muster. I mean, I’ve seen his videos on social media. I knew he was fucking ripped. And I also knew he was covered in tattoos, but something about seeing them live right in front of my eyes is just… “Damn,” I can’t help but whisper again.
“I mean…” I clear my throat. “We’re basically your target audience. Just imagine this is a live performance. Think ‘Friends’ only with less manufactured laughter.”
“Exactly,” Nic says with a nod. “Come on, shake that ass.”
“I feel dirty,” he says jokingly, and covers his chest with his arm, twisting his upper body away from us.
“Hey, you asked us here,” Nic reminds him in a playfully scolding tone.
“Kieran, I swear to God if you do a hip thrust of any kind, I’m going to hurl,” I joke and run my fingers through Richard’s fur.
“Good to know. Now anyway, Lauren—” he throws his phone my way. A dangerous endeavor considering I never got the hang of catching things, no matter how valuable. Luckily for him, it lands right next to me on his couch.
I’m not going to lie; it’s weird to think of him as ‘hot.’ Over the months we’ve lived here, he became the brother I never knew I wanted. Now we’re sitting here, about to watch him shoot one of his thirst trap videos for TikTok, and it feels incredibly wrong.
“Pick a song, will you? I need one that has good sound effects for a transition.”
“Okay, but hear me out,” I say absentmindedly, petting Richard as I scroll through the list. “Can I pitch you an idea?”
