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“Watch it.” A voice I knew a little too well had me looking up in the nick of time to avoid crashing into my next-door neighbor. My very hot, very grumpy, very not-into-community-meetings neighbor.
Sometimes hoping hurt and rolling with the punches was the only way to avoid hitting the floor.
Yup. He was such a catch. And him being oblivious somehow made him all the hotter.
It had been thirty-five odd years since anyone had shown this level of concern over my welfare, and that it was him, my grumpiest of neighbors, had my eyes stinging. “Thank you.” I tilted his face up so he’d stop searching me for new wounds. But that brought his face level with mine, his bristly chin in my hands, hazel eyes cloudy with pain like he was the hurt one, mouth parting like he was going to deliver more scolding. And I did the only thing that made sense and slid my mouth over his.
His enthusiasm was maybe the best thing about him, and I hoped he never changed one bossy trait. The world needed more Gideon. And maybe I did too.
“You’re cute if you think I can’t be bossy and bottom at the same time.”
He deserved someone watching out for him, someone to leave a light on, and if he’d let it be me, well, I liked that. It also terrified me. But not enough to dampen how much I wanted to be someone for him.
“You came to go shopping with me?” I tilted my head, considering this very un-Paul-like development. “I thought I might.” A muscle in his cheek twitched. “Get a head start on next year. You can tell me what all I might need.” “Because you want my help with next Christmas?” “No.” Paul licked his lips as he darted his gaze everywhere but at me. “I mean, yes. Damn it. This is why I’m not good with words. I want you for next Christmas. The help is a bonus.”
“I really did want to save your Christmas.” My mouth twisted as I tried to find the right words. Paul wasn’t the only one who had a hard time speaking up. “But I also kinda wanted in your
pants. I think I might have tricked you into keeping me around.” Paul blinked, then blinked again. “Well. Can you keep on tricking me?” “Pardon?” “First, I’m not sure you noticed, but outside of letting you boss me around, I’m a tough guy.” He offered another crooked smile. “Not a pushover. No one’s weaseling their way into my life if I don’t want it. If you trapped me, I wanted to be caught.”
“Paul.” Brandon gave me a stern look. “You gave up two decades of your life for me. I can shovel a little snow.” My eyes burned, and all I could do was nod. Under the table, Gideon grabbed my hand, laced our fingers together.
