“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Queen of Christmas herself.” Theo’s deep voice makesmewant to shiver, but I hold it together, even as his warm gaze sweeps me up and down.
“You know who I’m dressed as?” That was my biggest concern with this costume, but I figure it looks Santa-ish enough that it won’t matter if people don’t recognize it.
“That song is a modern classic.” Then Theo leans down and speaks in an undertone. “You look good, Evie. Really good.”
An effervescent fluttering sensation starts in my belly. “Thanks. Ah, so do you. Lumberjack Santa?”
He lets out a low chuckle. “Something like that. I was going for Santa in his workshop.” He jiggles his tool belt, and I hear the sound of sleigh bells.
“Cute.” I narrowly refrain from making a joke about his jingle balls, and am immensely proud of my restraint. Look at me, not babbling inappropriately! I’m already making progress.
“Light bulb still okay?”
“Yep. Turning on and off, just like it’s supposed to.”
He laughs, as I hoped he would. “Aside from not being able to reach the ceiling, how do you like living here so far?”
“I kind of love it,” I answer honestly. “Everyone is so friendly. And lately someone’s been doing something really sweet for me, so I’m trying to think of a way to say thank you.”
He cocks an eyebrow and grins, flashing those little fangs I like so much. “That so? Got any ideas?”
“I was thinking of baking something.”
That seems to surprise him. “Do you enjoy baking?”
“Yes, but I don’t do it often.”
“Ah. Deadlines?”
“That, and I have this condition called Tiny Kitchen Syndrome.”
He nods. “I’m familiar with it. Hey, I built out an extra counter in mine, if you want to come bake upstairs. Might make it easier.”
This is so much like my borrow-a-cup-of-sugar fantasy I want to pinch myself. “You wouldn’t mind me making a mess in your kitchen? I mean, I’d clean up afterward, obviously.”
“Well, I hope I’d get to taste the results.” He grins, then gives a little shrug. “Anyway, I like cleaning. It gives my brain time to work out all the problems I’ve fed it over the course of the day. You know how sometimes you get an epiphany while you’re washing dishes or folding laundry?”
“I love those moments.” I also love that hefolds his laundry.
“Me too. But I need to give my brain those breaks, otherwise it can’t crunch the data.”
I elbow him in the arm. “You’re such a computer guy.”
“Not entirely. I like to work with my hands too.”
“Oh, I’ll just bet you do.” The suggestive comment slips out before I can think better of it. His eyebrows leap high on his forehead, and a slow smile spreads across his face. I clear my throat and rush to change the subject. “Um, I’m actually done with my latest deadline.”
“Congratulations. You’re an artist, right?”
“Yeah, I illustrate comic books.”
He looks impressed. “Like the interior pages? All the sequential art?”
I nod. “And the occasional cover too.”
“Wow. That’s so creative. And it takes a ton of skill.”
I grin. “That, and the willingness to sit hunched over my drawing tablet like a gargoyle for the majority of the day.”
