Page 66 of How My Neighbour Stole Christmas
“Like what?” he asks. “A man so attractive that you can’t seem to stop thinking about his appearance last night?”
I toss my arms in the air and turn away from him to head towardthe hardware store. “I give up. You clearly can’t communicate like an adult.”
“I’m communicating just fine. I think you’re the one getting tongue-tied,” he says and then leans close to me. “Maybe because of mystackedabs.”
Irritated, I pick up my pace, walking faster so I don’t need to be near him.
Sure, was that the wrong choice of words? Absolutely. But I’m not…I’m not good under high-pressure situations. I tend to say things I don’t want people to hear. Hence the last few minutes.
“Where are you headed?” he says, barely breaking a sweat as he keeps up with my pace.
Damn him.
“None of your business.”
“Is it the hardware store to see what kind of light display you should be creating?”
“Uh…no,” I say, even though that’s exactly where I’m headed.
“You know, I was the one who helped your aunt Cindy with her light display the last few years. So if you need help, I’d be more than happy to dress in my lederhosen again and hang lights for you, give you another good show.”
My nostrils flare.
My fists clench at my sides.
And then I stop on the sidewalk and turn toward him and say, “Why on earth would I want your help with something you failed at? Aunt Cindy said the last few light displays put her in last place, so clearly you have no idea what you’re doing. Keep your mediocre work to yourself while I work out a plan to annihilate you.”
“Is that your trash talk?” he asks.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I say very immaturely, continuing my trek toward the hardware store.
“I wouldn’t, actually,” he says as he continues walking at my side.
Looks like we’re going to the hardware store together. Great.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Cole
A blush crept up her cheeks; she worried she’d be caught.
Surely she didn’t think him attractive! Surely she did not.
He was mean, conniving, the absolute worst of them all.
His ears were too big for his head, his lips entirely too small.
But of course, those were lies told to make her feel better.
The truth was his pelvic thrust made her wetter and wetter.
“You know, it’s not thatcold out,” I say as I walk next to a very disgruntled Storee Taylor.
Fuck, do I love seeing her like this.
Her cheeks pink with anger.
Her upper lip snarled with irritation.
