Page 73 of How My Neighbour Stole Christmas
“Yeah, well, your sad attempt to try to throw me off at the hardware store didn’t work either.” He doesn’t need to know the truth. We’ll keep that just between us.
“Your sleuthing was pathetic.”
“You’re pathetic,” I shoot back as I catch movement from the corner of my eye, spotting Martha and Mae in matching track suits, headed in our direction. I turn toward them, and with my cheeriest smile, I say, “Merry Christmas.”
Blond hair bouncing up and down as they power-walk toward us, they wave as well. “Merry Christmas, Storee. What are you two up to?” Martha asks as she waggles her eyebrows.
Oh, please do not waggle your brows at us. There is absolutely nothing to waggle about—
Before I can finish my thought, Cole wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side.
Immediately, the smell of his…is that deodorant? Cologne? Whatever it is, it smells annoyingly good. Really good. Too good for someone who is so…so…sour.
“We’re just hanging out, chatting it up about our light displays,” Cole says in a charming voice, which I think shocks Martha, Mae, and me at the same time.
“Oh, how nice,” Mae says. “It’s so great seeing you two back together.I remember watching you from a distance, back when you’d sit on Cole’s porch, chatting about the holidays and sharing hot cocoa.”
“Eh, I don’t think we ever shared hot cocoa,” I say.
“Not from lack of me trying,” Cole replies with a squeeze to my shoulder.
The twins laugh.
“Oh Cole, always charming. Maybe now that Storee’s back in town, she’ll give you the chance to share a drink this time.”
“That’s what I’m hoping,” Cole says, and I feel his eyes on me.
What the hell is he up to?
“Oh please, give him a chance,” Martha says, clasping her hands. “Cole is such a good man.”
Uhh…
Please, someone, tell me what’s happening.
“Not only is he handsome, but like Martha said, he’s a very good man. He takes care of all of us around town. And you two would be so cute together.”
“That’s what I keep telling her,” Cole says, nearly making my head explode. “I still have some time—maybe I’ll impress her with my light display.”
“I believe you will,” Martha says with a wink. “Well, enjoy, and don’t hurt yourselves up on the roof.”
Martha and Mae both say their goodbyes, and once their backs are turned toward us, I push away from Cole. “What the hell was that?” I ask through clenched teeth.
“Those are called neighbors,” Cole says. “They tend to say hi to you when they see you out and about on the cul-de-sac. Kind of the nice thing to do.”
“I know what neighbors are, you nitwit. I’m talking about the hot- cocoa-sharing thing.”
“Oh, that.” He shrugs. “I don’t know, spur-of-the-moment decision.Kind of liked it, though, as they love a good romance, and that gave them the impression that you were the one holding out while I was over here trying to get your attention.”
“Uh, yeah, I know. You just made me look bad.”
He shrugs again. “Yeah, but it made me look like the ultimate hopeless romantic, so a win for me.” He pats my shoulder. “Anyway, good luck with the lights, pal.”
“I’m not your pal, and I’m not your…your hot-cocoa-sharing buddy.”
“I know. Martha and Mae are pulling for me, though, so maybe I’ll prevail by the end of this competition. Who knows? Crazier things have happened.” He winks and then turns to take off, but not before I grab his hand and tug him back.
“Do not play with me, Cole Black. You might not like what happens.”
