Page 61 of The Best Christmas Choir Ever

“I’m actively choosing to ignore it,” Julian said, averting his eyes. “As I do most years.”

Charlie burst into tinkling laughter. “Is that allowed?”

“I mean…we’re all adults here.”

“Except when someone’s poor, unsuspecting great-grandchildren come to visit.”

“I’ll put a PSA out to keep the kids off the fourth floor,” he teased. “And if that can’t be avoided, I’ll shove their tree into a storage closet.”

Charlie grinned wickedly. “I can’t wait to be old. Look at all the things you can get away with.”

Julian laughed, but Charlie’s grin faded quickly, a melancholy look replacing it. He knew immediately that her thoughts had strayed to Tom, and how much older she would get without him.

After talking to her last night, it was easier for him to read her. Julian knew his head was warning him for a reason, but his heart said that sometimes things worked out. They were called second chances for a reason.

Uncertainty coursed through him, catching in his chest. Was this their second chance or just an opportunity for him to be a fool?

“There!” Charlie exclaimed, getting the lights untangled. She held them up triumphantly. “I should be honored with a reward.”

“Your reward is getting to help me string the lights on the tree,” he said, taking one end of the strand and looping it around the very top branches. He continued winding the strand around the tree, until he reached the halfway point, then he passed it back to Charlie.

“I don’t want to hear another short comment,” she warned, walking around the tree with the lights looped over her arm.

“How about a little one?”

She glared at him as she rounded the tree.

“A petite one? A miniscule, teeny, wee little comment?”

“Wee?” she said. “Now you’ve gone too far.” Charlie looped the light strand around him, getting him caught against the branches.

“Charlie,” he muttered, trying to duck under the strand. But as he did he somehow got tangled in another.

“You’re making a mess of things.”

“I’m making a mess of things?” He stepped over a strand of lights, bumping into her. “Here, stop moving.” He took hold of her shoulders and switched their positions. The strand ended up at the back of his knees, with him pressing Charlie up against the tree.

“Oh yes. This is much better,” she said. “Sorta feels like you planned this.”

“You’re the one who came over to offer your help.”

“Out of the goodness of my heart.” Charlie tried to duck under his arm. “You’re in my way.”

“You’ve tied us together. Let me fix it.”

Charlie stilled, and Julian snaked his arms around her briefly, sorting out the lights.

Her brows arched playfully as he worked. “You didn’t have to arrange all this just to hold me again,” she whispered.

Julian flushed, probably the same red as the decorations judging by how hot his cheeks were. His eyes darted around the room to make sure they didn’t have an audience.

She patted his arm, chuckling a little, then stepped away once they were untangled.

Truth was, Julian wanted to be tangled up with her. He didn’t want another whirlwind fling. And he definitely didn’t want to give Charlie the chance to disappear from his life again.

Tread lightly. She was still figuring herself out. Don’t dive too deep too fast.

Charlie finished stringing the lights just as Doris carried over a box of icicle-shaped ornaments to hang on their tree.