Page 44 of Just A Chance

I grab the ornament he discarded and pluck one more from the display and head over to the cash register.

When I make it to the truck, Sean is already sitting inside. He hasn’t seen me yet, and I take a moment to study the disappointment in his eyes and the set of his jaw. He’s hurting. He never lets it show, but I see it now.

He blinks and looks at me, forcing another smile. He gets out and opens my door.

“My lady.”

He’s putting on a show to cover up what he’s feeling inside. I don’t want to be the reason he keeps things bottled up.

He doesn’t say anything as he maneuvers out of the parking lot.

“Sean?”

“Yeah?”

“I’d like to keep the tree at my shop if that’s okay.”

His eyes brighten, and he looks at me hopefully. “Really?”

“Would you help me set it up?”

“Of course.” He grins, for real this time, and I smile in return as he heads for my shop. This is probably a bad idea. But I’ve had worse.

***

I purse my lips and tilt my head to the side. The tree is way more crooked than I remember it being in the lot. It doesn’t help that it’s currently leaning against the wall.

I look over at Sean. “I think we need one of those standy thingys.”

Sean lifts a brow and pulls out his phone. “Siri, direct me to the nearest standy thingy.”

I roll my eyes but have to bite back a smile. “Ha ha.”

He grins. “I think I’ve got something in my truck actually.” He sprints outside and returns a few minutes later with a couple of boards, screws, and a drill gun.

“You had all that in your truck?”

“Are you telling me you don’t have any baking supplies in your vehicle?”

He’s got me there. It's like a mini bakery in the back seat of my car.

He sets about screwing the boards to the trunk to create a sturdy stand, and I have to admit, I’m impressed with his handyman skills. He finds a way to fix anything. My shop is a testament to that. Is it bad I suddenly have an itch to destroy something else to keep him around? Or to turn up the thermostat so he has to take off his shirt for this sexy lumberjack stuff?

Cool it, woman.

I take a deep breath and reign in my wild thoughts.

Sean picks up the tree and sets it on its new stand.

“It worked!”

His lips tug down, but there’s no anger in his eyes. “I’m a little offended you doubted me.”

“It will never happen again,” I tease, crossing my heart.

“I’d like that in writing.”

I shrug. “Fresh out of paper and ink.”