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Jared sat next to Lane’s bed; the Game of Thrones Monopoly Anna Beth bought Lane set up on his tray.
“I couldn’t get past the fourth season,” Jared said.
Lane made a noise of disbelief. “You have to keep watching. It’s such an epic show. Especially when they battle the White Walkers.”
Jared shrugged. “I’ll give it another shot, but no promises.”
Anna Beth backed out of the doorway and motioned with her head at Janet. “Let’s give them some more time.”
When Jared walked into Janet’s office forty-five minutes later, he shot her a puzzled look. “Hey, you ready to go?”
“Whenever you are. It looked like you were having fun.” Anna Beth stood and held her hand out to Janet. “Thank you again. There are some additional gifts in that bag, in case you get any more kids that need a little Christmas cheer. There is a list with what each box contains.”
“Thank you both.”
Anna Beth followed Jared down the hall and into the elevator. While they stood waiting, Anna Beth nudged Jared.
“Who was that kid?”
“He goes to school with Casey. Lane tried to get him suspended.”
“Wait, what? Then why were you being so friendly to him.”
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. As they stepped inside, Jared said, “I know the kids dad and he is a jerk. The way Janet said he’s been alone really got to me. He might act like a turd, but maybe it’s because he’s miserable. I wanted to give him a chance to show me another side and he did. I just had to find a common ground.”
Anna Beth’s heart swelled and her eyes filled with tears. “You are so sweet.”
She didn’t even give him a chance to respond before she kissed him, forgetting all about her makeup and green beard. When the elevator stopped, she pulled away.
“What was that for?”
“Because you still tried to help someone who hurt your family. Because you are an amazing man. Because…”
I love you.
The doors opened and Kayla stood on the other side, waiting. She glanced between them, smirking. When they stepped off, Kayla called out, “Hey, Max, you got a little green on your mouth.”
Jared chuckled, but Anna Beth didn’t react, still reeling from her realization. She’d fallen in love with Jared.
What the heck did she do now?
Twenty-Five
Jared stepped up onto the porch Saturday night to pick Anna Beth up and knocked on the door. He adjusted his tie, wishing he could just toss it into the bushes, but the party was supposed to be professional attire. The mayor put it on to thank government employees every year and this would be his first time attending with a date.
The door opened and Anna Beth stood there, one hand on the open door and the other on her hip. She wore an off-the-shoulder dress that hugged her curves until it hit her hips and flared out, transitioning from black to silver sequins. Her blonde curls were gathered on top of her head with a few pieces trailing down the side of her face and neck. She smiled, her lips the same red as her car.
“Hey.”
He swallowed, hard. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you. Sarah did my hair.”
“She did a great job.”
“Come in out of the cold while I grab my coat.”
She stepped back and let him pass by. He stopped in front of her and cupped the side of her face. “I don’t want to mess up your lipstick, but I really want to kiss you.”
