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“I have the day off. And we have plans.”
He tilted his head to the side and looked at her. “Do I even want to ask what you have in mind?”
A smile tugged at her mouth. “Don’t you trust me?”
“I don’t know. I’m having visions of replacing plumbing or something even worse.”
That made her laugh. “What if I told you there were no repairs involved in today’s activities?”
“Then I’d ask if you made sure all of the building’s residents were on board with your plan.”
She couldn’t stop smiling and it was all his fault. There was just something about him that made her happy when she was around him. “Stop being so difficult. If someone needs you, they can leave a message. Now grab your coat.”
“Not until you tell me where we’re going.”
His pointed stare let her know that he was serious. She sighed. “Fine, if you must know we’re going to get a Christmas tree. It’s past time to put it up. And I just can’t wait any longer.”
“Why me?”
“Because you need some holiday spirit. Don’t you want to put up a Christmas tree?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Come on.” She headed into the hallway, hoping he would follow. This man needed some Christmas in his heart. And she couldn’t think of a better way to start his transformation than by picking out an evergreen.
She slipped on her winter coat. She wanted to glance back and see if Graham was following her lead, but she resisted the urge. She’d done all she could. If he didn’t want to have some Christmas fun, she wasn’t going to make him. But she would feel bad for him. Who didn’t enjoy the holiday festivities?
She’d just pulled on her knit cap when Graham said, “Are you going to just stand there all day? We have to get a Christmas tree.”
The smile returned to her face and so did the hope that there would be a Christmas miracle this year—that Graham would find his holiday spirit and her home would be saved.
* * *
Christmas tree shopping.
He didn’t have time for this.
Graham thought of the budgets he had to review, trying to cover the endeavors his father had obligated the company to participate in while trying to secure the necessary funds to cover the mounting expenses to build Toliver Tower.
&nbs
p; He had a plan to bring on a new partner who would take over some of the investments, freeing up Toliver funds. But finding the right partner was difficult. And now that he’d found someone who would be a good fit with Toliver, they were hesitant to commit in the current economic climate.
But he also realized the importance of making Alina happy. She was the key to having the Stirling residents moved out by the beginning of the year. It would give his contractors an extra two months to clear the land so they could be ready to break ground in the spring.
And most of all, she was finally doing something for herself. He hadn’t known her for long but it was long enough to know that she truly did put others’ needs before her own. Today would be different. He’d see to it.
As they headed out into the cold, crisp morning, Graham couldn’t help thinking of his father. He would say buying a Christmas tree was an utter waste of time and money. His priority needed to be on the company and fixing the financial mess he’d inherited.
But Graham’s mother would be all sorts of happy to see him doing something that wasn’t work related. He thought of calling her. His hand moved to his pocket to grab his phone. She would be happy to hear from me, wouldn’t she? He hesitated. The last conversation they’d had was harsh and some words were said that just couldn’t be taken back.
“What has you so quiet?” Alina said. “Did I pull you away from something important?”
She had but he wasn’t going to admit it. “Nothing that can’t wait until later.”
His response brought a smile to her face and it was then that he knew he’d chosen the right answer. Because when she smiled, it lit up his whole world. He didn’t even know something like that was possible. He’d certainly never felt something so intense before. And he had absolutely no idea what to do about it. And so he ignored it—pretended like it had never happened. Like any of that was possible.
“We’re almost there,” she said.
