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“Hi, Jimmy.”

“Hi, Mrs. Nemitz.”

“Jimmy, you can call me Mom, or Silvia, whatever you prefer. Nobody I’m related to calls me Mrs. Nemitz.”

“Noted.”

Melena waited until her dad and brothers were on screen, then got up to show them around the house. I stayed on the couch and listened. Their patter was soothing. It was clear Melena loved her family, even though they exasperated her at times. When she came back and settled next to me on the couch, their attention turned to me.

“Jimmy, it’s a beautiful house. Congratulations. We hope you’ll both be very happy there.”

“Thanks.”

“We’d love to come see it in person if that’s okay. Is there a weekend you’re off work we can visit? Melena already said you usually work holidays, but we can celebrate whenever. I’m hoping you’ll let a guest cook in your kitchen or at least let me bake with you. Melena says you’re an amazing cook, but there are a few Nemitz family traditions I can’t do without.”

I smiled. It was sweet of her to ask. “Sure, Silvia, I’d love to learn Melena’s favorites. It’s a date.”

Her mom tittered to Melena’s dad off screen. “Look at that, Andrik, I have a date with a handsome man. Better watch out.”

Melena groaned. “Mom, don’t make it weird.”

“What? I have a kitchen date with a handsome man. I’m going to show him how I make my famous sweet and spicy nuts. Maybe roll some Christmas balls.”

The Nemitz siblings all groaned in unison, “Mom!”

I laughed, and Silvia subsided with a smile. We discussed dates and I confirmed a weekend near the holiday I wasn’t scheduled to work. After the call ended, Melena apologized for her mom. “I’m sorry. Her sense of humor is a little weird at times. I promise she won’t sexually harass you in your own kitchen.”

I barked a laugh. “I think she’s funny. She reminds me of you.”

“No. Don’t say that.”

I shrugged. “What? It’s the truth.”

She shook her head. “Either way, I promise she’ll behave. I appreciate you being up for hosting this year.”

“We’rehosting. It’s kind of magical. It’s been a long time since I’ve really celebrated. Andi and I usually exchange a gift, but that’s it. I’m always working and usually picking up extra shifts to cover for vacations.”

“Well, I still appreciate it. And to show my appreciation, I want to work on that shoulder you’re favoring.”

“What?”

“I see you. You didn’t tell me you tweaked it, but you’re guarding it. Let’s go, big guy. Into the bedroom and take off your shirt.”

What kind of sorcery was this? She was right. My left shoulder and upper back had been growing progressively tighter over the course of the evening. I’d overdone it. But I didn’t say anything. Still, she’d noticed.

“You just want to get me shirtless and in the bedroom.”

“Damn straight.”

She followed behind me, and I started unbuttoning my shirt. When we reached the bedroom, I made eye contact with her as I rolled it down one shoulder, then the other. I was wearing a T-shirt underneath, but I still did my best to make it dramatic.

She shook her head. “You goof. Enough with the striptease, this is business. We’ve got about a hundred more boxes to unload tomorrow and I need you fully capable.”

“Oh, I’m fully capable.”

“Jimmy.” Her voice had a warning note, but I could see the twinkle in her eyes.

I untucked my T-shirt from my slacks, and slowly inched it up my abdomen. She watched each increment of skin appear. She wasn’t exactly licking her lips, but she didn’t look away. I tugged it higher, revealing my pecs before stripping it off over my head. Her gaze ran up and down my body. “Eyes up here, Ms. Business.”