Kanton.
“H OW’S IT GOING?” When Shelby asked the question, I glanced at Noel, who was giddy and overjoyed at being in her happy place.
I had stepped away to accept a call from Shelby while Noel chatted it up with the tree lot owner like they were old friends when, in reality, she’d never met the guy before. I couldn’t help the smile that eased onto my face watching how happy and carefree she was.
“You’re supposed to be enjoying your trip. Not checking in on me.”
“I am enjoying my trip. We have a private chef cooking for us as we speak. I haven’t heard from you and wanted to ensure I still had a job to return to. So again, how’s it going?”
“Great, actually. I think I have a way to get to Brighton.”
“Oh yeah? Great, how?”
“Noel.”
“Noel? Who the hell is Noel? And please don’t say some Christmas angel because I might have to catch a flight to Atlanta to make sure you haven’t lost your mind.”
I smirked at her curt tone. “Noel isn’t a Christmas angel.” Or maybe she is . “You know I don’t believe in all that. She’s actually the owner of the place you rented for the week.”
“Wait! What am I missing? You’ve been talking to the owner? Was there an issue? You had to reach out to her?”
I cringed, knowing I’d have to fess up about my current situation with Noel.
“Not an issue , but her plans changed, and we arranged to share the space for the week.”
Shared Space took on an entirely new meaning with this situation, but I wasn’t complaining. My eyes again drifted to Noel until Shelby’s voice belted through the phone.
“What the fuck, Kanton? Why didn’t you call? I could have—”
“I’m more than capable of handling the situation, and I did. You’re on vacation.”
“I am, but—”
“No buts. We worked it out, and I’m grateful that this hiccup happened. She’s close to Brighton’s wife and gets invited to their Christmas Eve party yearly. Normally, she declines because she usually visits family, but this year, she’s going, and I’m her plus-one.”
Shelby was quiet, which meant I wasn’t going to like what she had to say, and sure enough . . .
“That’s a one-bedroom apartment, ” Her tone was light.
“I’m sleeping on the sofa.”
“Oh, wow. It’s worse than I thought. What did you say her name was again?”
“Noel, why?”
“I need to look her up. If you’re sharing her apartment and sleeping on the sofa, she must be something. You like her, don’t you?”
“Shelby . . .”
“What? This deal with Brighton is important, but I can’t imagine it’s important enough that you’d spend the week with a stranger, sleeping on her sofa, unless there was something about her that sweetened the pot. I will do a little digging to find out what you’re not telling me.”
I glanced at Noel, who had just happened to look at me at the same time. I held up my finger to signal that I was almost done, and she nodded and smiled.
That damn smile.
Hair piled on her head in a curly mess, and those tight jeans that hugged her long legs were also nice to look at.
All the reasons why I was sleeping on her sofa. Shelby was right, but I damn sure wasn’t about to admit she was.
“You absolutely will not do any digging. It’s not what you think, so leave it alone.”
“You’re defensive. It’s exactly what I think. Considering your last choice of partners, I might just need to do the digging.”
“Shelby, I mean it. Leave it alone.”
“Sure thing, boss.” She laughed, and I groaned. Shelby would likely have this woman’s entire life in a portfolio within the hour.
“I have to go. We’re tree shopping.”
“ Tree shopping. What the fuck, Kanton? What has this woman done to you? You hate Christmas.”
I didn’t hate it. Just didn’t like what it represented in my life. My eyes landed on Noel again, who was tugging at the branches of a tree while she had a determined look on her face as if she was thoroughly inspecting it. Or maybe I hated what Christmas used to represent in my life. The thought of adopting a new version with her wasn’t so bad.
“Goodbye, Shelby,” I rattled off and ended the call to her laughing.
When I joined Noel again, she peeked at me from the side and then pointed to the tree. “What do you think of this one?”
“I think it’s a tree.”
She rolled her eyes and pointed to the branches. “It’s not just a tree. It’s green, which means it’s healthy. The branches are full, which means it will look amazing once we decorate it, and, oh my God, the smell. It smells amazing. Try it.”
“No thanks.”
“Kanton . . .” She shot me a warning look, and Carl chuckled.
He passed by and then mumbled, “Just smell the damn tree, You won’t win this argument with her. It’s better to play nice.”
She smiled wildly. “Thank you, Carl. See? He gets it.”
“Oh, I get it all right. Been married for fifteen years. My lady is always right, and I never argue with her when she has that look on her face.”
“What look?”
I pointed to hers. “ That look. The ‘fall in line because I’m not changing my mind look,’ which you have right now.”
“Good, then smell the damn tree, ” She repeated Carl’s words, and I did as I was told and leaned into the tree, inhaling deeply. The pine scent reminded me of what my parents’ foyer smelled like, but the feelings that settled in me when I turned to find that goofy grin on Noel’s face contradicted what I usually felt about trees and Christmas.
“Still a tree,” I teased, and she shoved my shoulder, attempting to move me, but my weight was no match for hers.
She turned to Carl and pointed. “We’ll take this one.”
“Sure thing, pretty lady. You want it delivered? That’s an additional twenty-five, but I’ll waive that for you.” He winked at Noel, and I felt territorial. Carl was at least fifty and competing with Santa in the midsection, but the way Noel’s face lit up had me removing my wallet and handing over a card.
“Keep the fee and bump it up some if you can get it delivered as soon as possible.”
Her head whipped around to me. “You don’t have to do that. You already bought me a tree.”
“That you don’t like. Consider it a thank-you for getting me in with Brighton.”
“You don’t have to thank me. It’s the least I can do.”
“As is this. Take it,” I said to Carl, who glanced between us, smiled, and accepted my card.
Good man. Never turn down a sale.
“I can have it delivered this evening between eight and nine after we shut down out here. How’s that?”
I glanced down at Noel, who turned to Carl and responded. “Perfect, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank the guy beside you. Be right back with your receipt.” Carl walked away, and Noel turned to face me.
“Thank you.” She lifted onto her toes and kissed my cheek, and I’d swear her lips lingered for a moment longer than necessary, or maybe that was just me wanting her to. When her face was in full view again, I swear her cheeks blushed.
“You’re welcome. Now, can we discuss this decorating thing? I don’t think I signed on for that. I’ve done my part,” I teased, remembering how she’d mentioned we when she noted how great the tree would look decorated.
She stepped closer to me and tugged at the scarf around my neck. “I’m thinking your gracious participation can be accredited to this, so maybe when we get home, I can loan you one of my sweatshirts, and you’ll change your mind about the decorating part. Mine are two sizes too big, so I think they might work.”
“Hell no. I’m not wearing one of those.” I motioned to her sweatshirt and eased politely to the side. Her smile grew.
“Never say never, Scrooge.”
I chuckled and stepped away to accept my card from Carl, who returned with it and a notepad, which he handed to Noel.
“You’re all set. Just jot down your address and phone number, and we’ll get that tree to you.”
She giggled and accepted the notepad and pen, scribbling on it before she handed it back to Carl, who thanked us for our business, and then we were gone.