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“What about this one?” I point to a huge fir tree.
“I know you want to compensate for my small tree, but that is about five feet taller than my ceiling.”
I cock my head to the side and stare up at it. “I mean… maybe we just trim the trunk.”
Liam grabs my hand and pulls me farther down the line. “What about this nice pine?”
“No. They shed needles.”
“Holls, they all shed needles.” We stop at a tree, both of us eying it. “Nice and thick. Looks sturdy.”
I turn and ogle him. “We still talkin’ about a tree, Cody?”
“Says the dirty bird who takes everything and turns it into something sexual—”
I slap him across his broad chest. “I do not.”
“Oh, okay. So this tree. It’s thick, just like you like it. And long, but apparently not as long as you prefer, hence the other tree. Oh, and would you say it’s nice and wide too? Are you worried it’s not gonna fit?”
Warmth spreads across my cheeks. I shake my head slightly as his relaxed smile grows into a full-blown grin. “Those flushed cheeks tell me you are not thinking about a Christmas tree.”
I most certainly am not. “Shame there are such average trees here. It’s been a while since I’ve truly seen a real girthy and full tree.”
Liam throws his head back and bellows out a deep laugh. “You wound me, Bergner,” he says, rubbing at his chest. I lift my chin, trying to mask my laughter. I steal a peek at him, and those damn butterflies go berserk again.
“Seriously, we need to pick a tree before the holiday is over.”
Liam takes a deep breath and eyes the row of trees. “Okay. How about this one?” He takes my hand again and continues to walk us along. “A balsam fir. Gives us the perfect Christmas fragrance and is known for its sturdy branches. Perfect for decorating.”
I stare at it, surveying the branches and perfectly round shape. Letting out a deep, gratifying sigh, I nod my head and give Liam a thumbs up. “I approve.”
A cocky smile spreads across his handsome face. He returns my nod and reaches in to grab the tree. Of course, I don’t deny myself the eyeful of his tight tush.
The bell to the door rings as we enter the hardware store. I wave to Stew at the register, then weave in and out of customers toward the holiday section.
“They’re busy today,” Liam notes as we grab a cart.
“Yeah, it’s all the people waiting ’til the day before Christmas Eve to put up trees.” I wiggle my brows, reach for a set of lights, and toss them into the cart. “Soon, the humbug tree will be gone, and all will be right in the world.” I look back at him, but he seems to have lost some of his playfulness. “Did you not want to get rid of it?” What did I say to change his mood?
Liam bends forward, grabbing a set of white ornaments. “Christmas hasn’t been the same these last years. Just didn’t feel right to keep up with all the good parts when the best parts were missing.”
Shit.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
It’s a hard pill to swallow, knowing I’ve been wrong this whole time. All this falls onto my shoulders and seeing Liam’s beautiful smile dull guts me. I shift from foot to foot. Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I say, “Listen, Liam. I’m sorry—”
“There you two are.” My mom’s voice pulls me from my apology, and I slap on a cheeky smile.
“Heeey, Mom!” My voice cracks.
She takes us in as she approaches, then surveys our cart. “What are you kids up to?”
“Just getting lights and ornaments for Liam’s tree. He needed a new one. Bigger one. One that says he shouldn’t dislike Christmas because of something—”
“What she’s getting at is I needed a Christmas tree, and Holly helped me find one. We’re just here grabbing some lights.”
She shoots us suspicious glances. And then it happens. The sigh. The you two are up to no good sigh. “Okay then. Well, are you coming home tonight or having another sleepover? With Kelly Anne?”
My mouth opens and closes, but no words fall out. I clear my throat and break eye contact with my mom to look at Liam. “Well…ya know…it’s been a long time. Just gonna do this tree and head back. So much to catch up on. We really missed—”
Liam saves me again. “I’ll walk her down to Kelly Anne’s when we’re done.”
What the hell is wrong with me? “So…we’re just gonna get some stuff and be on our way. Love you.” I lean in and give my mom a kiss on the cheek. She pats Liam on the shoulders then disappears with another damn sigh.
Not much more is said. A few I like these, and what do you think of those? It’s not until we’re back at his place with the tree wrapped in lights that I speak.
