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When we’re done, we both step back, and I admit I love the look of excitement on Dylan’s face. He has his hands folded under his chin and a giant smile on his face. “I’ve wanted to do the parade booth for years. I envisioned my booth, but it never looked this good in my head. Thank you for your help. It means a lot.”
I shuffle under his praise, not knowing how to accept it. “Well, you suckered me into it. It would have been bad form not to follow through.”
Dylan chuckles. “Yeah, that too.” He walks back to the table and breaks boxes down. “The day before the parade, we can bring over the supplies early. My brother said he’ll staff the booth first since he doesn’t want to see the parade. You can help him out if you want. I’d like to see the floats.”
“Yeah, okay.” At least if I’m making myself useful here, he won’t try to get me to go to the parade.
“You’ll do it?” he asks in a surprised voice.
I nod. “I don’t have to work until the beginning of the new year.”
“Well, can you help me take the decorations down? It’ll only take us a day or two.”
“I’ll help.”
Dylan’s smile warms me, and I dip my head with a small smile. “It would be nice to see you in the bar on the days you’re free. I’ll tone down the holiday music.”
I look down at him. It would be nice to see him, and I hate that damn music, but that’s who he is. I can’t very well tell him to change himself for someone he met only days ago. “It’s fine, Pickles. I’ll come hang a few days.”
We head back to the truck and slide the empty boxes into the bed. I make my way to the passenger side before I hear a thump and a curse. “You okay, Pickles?” When he doesn’t answer, I get a little nervous, thinking he fell in all that damn snow and hurry around to the back of the truck.
As I round to the other side, a snowball hits me square in the chest. I look down, stunned, and look back at Dylan, who’s laughing his ass off as he prepares more snow. Oh hell no.
Rushing forward, I scoop up some snow, pack it quickly and launch it at him. He ducks just in time and throws another snowball. It barely misses my face.
Dylan has a good arm.
We run around, throwing snowballs like a couple of kids. I will admit I laughed a few times, especially when one of my snowballs hit the top of his head. But Dylan gets more hits than I do. He’s probably had more practice.
By the time he calls for a truce, we’re both panting and sweaty. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a while. I don’t remember the last time I let myself go and had a blast like that. Too much work, not enough down time for sure.
Stephan said I needed to get some fun. Guess I accomplished that today.
We climb in the cab of the truck, still panting. “That was fun, Scrooge. I might be able to change your name soon.”
“Not too fast.”
Shaking his head, he backs out and drives us to the bar. “I’ll walk you home,” I say after he locks up.
“Thank you. The bar is closed tonight. So, no work for me and I can rest my feet.”
The walk is slow and silent, though I keep glancing at Dylan. I could have grabbed him when we were throwing snowballs, but I was having too much fun and didn’t want to screw it up with disappointment when I found out he wasn’t my fated mate. I’m not sure if I would be disappointed, but I didn’t want to run the risk of it happening and Dylan noticing.
But now we’re at his apartment. If I’m going to test the theory of if he’s my fated mate, I need to do it now.
Dylan turns around, a grin on his face. “The past two days have been fun, Scrooge. I may have judged you prematurely. I’m glad I was wrong.” He ducks his head and turns to walk into his building.
“Wait!” I call after him.
Pickles turns to me with a surprised smile. “Yeah?”
“Come here, please.” My voice sounds rough, but I can’t change that. I’m nervous, my heart rate is through the roof and my palms are sweating. It’s now or never.
Dylan walks over and stands in front of me, meeting my eyes with curiosity. “You okay, Scrooge?”
“Yeah. Just … give me your hand.” He looks down at my upturned hand, then back at me.
“What’s this about?” Dylan peels his glove off but doesn’t place his hand in mine.
