Series: Like Us Series by Krista Ritchie
Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 174544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Gonna fix that too. There might be ornaments and ribbons in their attic.
Going to the lake house is a typical Cobalt, Meadows, Hale family tradition this time of year. But plans for the holidays have been up in the air. I’ve heard they’re leaving on Christmas Eve, then it changed to the week after New Year’s, then the week before. Don’t know what it’ll land on yet or if the trip will get scrapped altogether.
The roof clips are in place, and I’ve already plugged in the multicolored lights, so they’re lit in the detangled spool at my feet.
I start systematically hanging the strands, and midway into my work, Xander’s dad emerges to check on me.
He stands on the front lawn and hoists a coffee mug to his lips, one that says World’s Mightiest Dad beside a caped superhero.
I ask him, “How’s she look?” I gesture to the lit dangling lights.
“Crooked,” he says dryly.
I survey my work. “You need your glasses?”
“Where’s your coat?” Lo suddenly asks, his brows pinched like I’m nuts. He looks warm in a red fleece jacket, whereas the long sleeves of my thin T-shirt are rolled up to my elbows.
“I like the cold,” I say. “Makes my nipples hard.”
He glares, then touches his chest. “Luna’s dad.”
“Change your name for me again?” I say with a grin, walking over to another section of the roof. Smells like progress, with the lights and my relationship with Lo. Sure, I’m not his best friend (yet), and he hasn’t invited me over for a bagel and cream cheese.
But in his eyes, I’m no longer just his son’s bodyguard.
It’s something, someone, more.
Lo drinks his coffee. “I’d tell you not to fall, but I’m actually hoping it happens. Imagine that.” He feigns surprise.
“Imagine,” I smirk and focus on not slipping. Steady on my feet, I hang another strand, framing the house, one that I’ve always thought resembles Kevin McCallister’s from the Christmas flick Home Alone. It’s built for holidays and loving families.
As Lo watches me, I’m gonna pretend he’s pleased. The sharper lines of his cheekbones say otherwise, but that could just be his morning I hate the world face.
He begins to retreat inside the house.
“See ya, Luna’s dad!” I shout to him.
“Bye, Paul.”
Win some, lose some. I glance at the tattoo on my wrist. Things could’ve been so much worse by now, and the fact that I’m still even thirty feet from Loren Hale and on his property is a success worth celebrating.
No achievement is too small in my eyes. Seeing Luna sleeping this morning, celebratory. Girl sleeps hard too. Didn’t want to wake her on my way out, but now I’m wishing I left a note or something.
Not sure how much time passes while I string up the lights, and I’m not wearing a watch. Gave mine to Luna, and I’m glad she’s kept it. My phone is on the front porch with my radio. And right as I start getting antsy to contact her, a car rumbles down the road.
The black security SUV rolls up the Hale driveway, and a big fluffy Newfie the size of a mini-pony springs out first.
“Orion!” Luna calls, chasing after his leash. Once she grabs it, he tugs her towards the house, and I’m just standing here on the roof, grinning at the cutest sight in my universe. As long as she’s with me, I don’t really care which planet we’re on: hers or mine. I just still hope it can become ours.
“Your horse is trying to get loose!” I call to her.
Luna looks up, entranced by the sheer sight of me. On her parents’ roof and next to a bundle of lit Christmas lights. A grin spreads across my face. Then she jerks forward as Orion pulls harder, and she falls on her knees in the dewy grass.
“Shit,” I say and descend the ladder quickly.
The security SUV has already begun backing out of the driveway. Looks like Quinn and Frog dropped off Luna, and her bodyguards don’t need to stay at the house while she’s here.
As they leave, my boots reach the earth, and I go to help Luna. She’s picking herself up, so I collect Orion’s leash. It’s not just puppy pep, considering his littermates don’t have the same energy. Out of the Hale’s four Newfies, only Luna’s dog is this excitable and lively.
The furry guy tries jumping up on me, and he’s practically my height. “Down, down, down. Sit for your mom.” I scratch his head while he complies, and I kiss his fur. “That’s my good boy.” He slobbers all over my hand, and I wipe my palm against my jeans before I turn to Luna.
She’s here, and the sight inflates my lungs, lifts my chest. I try to read her overwhelmed expression, but I can’t decipher the entirety of it.
“You looking for me?” I ask her.