Pining For You (Man of the Month Club)

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

ALEXI

Thanks to the nice family, who we learn are the Rosses, we get the tree chopped down, roped, and tied to the truck. They refuse any payment for the tree or their troubles. Rosemary invites them to the Christmas ball at the Hayes Resort and tells them repeatedly she owes them and wants to return the favor.

On the ride home, we don’t discuss the tree make-out session. I hope the fact that she isn’t bringing it up is because it was so phenomenal that there are no words

Or she’s sitting on the other side of the truck in regret. If we don’t speak of it, it’s like it didn’t happen.

“We don’t have to talk about anything if you don’t want to,” I bait her. I need to discuss this. It’s driving me insane to not know where I stand with her.

She keeps looking out the window. “I don’t know if we should.”

Ah, yeah. I slowly nod, knowing I was right the first time. “You wanted a magical moment with a Christmas tree and it happened. You’re welcome. But just so you know, there are more magical moments where that came from, doll.” I can’t help feeling a little smug. My chest puffs out as I give her a lopsided smile.

Rosemary’s lips part slightly. She stares at me wide-eyed. When she finally speaks, her words come out slow and firm. “I was talking about what a disaster my first attempt at handling something was…”

“I think the trip went exceptional. You thought outside the box. Took charge. Went for it.”

“We’re still talking about cutting down the tree and not you sticking your tongue down my throat.”

To be fair, that statement applies to both. I’ve never had a woman make the first move up in a tree. Instead of voicing that thought, I try to comfort her. “Rosemary. You did something completely out of your comfort zone. You cared enough to go out there on your own. Give yourself some grace. You’ve got this.”

And she does. She’s got what it takes to run the company. She’s got the tree. And me.

Oh shit.

We get the tree inside the lobby and untied, and it’s fucking huge. It didn’t look that big in the country. However, inside a building—a hotel lobby—the thing is massive. It could go outside, but Rosemary is firmly set on having this tree in this spot. All suggestions are being met with Rosemary’s glare. I can’t help but admire her sticking to her vision. The woman is stubborn as a mule and unwavering. She’s determined to see this vision through.

Rosemary goes about giving everyone their tasks for tomorrow so they can begin first thing in the morning. “Alexi.”

I practically skip over to her after hearing my name.

“What do you need me to do for the decorations between the naughty and nice areas?” she asks. “We haven’t discussed it, and I don’t want to overstep.”

Rosemary Hayes doesn’t want to overstep with me? Didn’t see that one coming. “Why don’t we discuss it tomorrow over a cup of coffee? I have some ideas.”

She opens her mouth to argue, but then it snaps shut. Her chest rises with a deep breath, and I bite down on my bottom lip to keep my smirk at bay. “Of course. Not like we can do anything now. I need to get to decorating this tree.”

“Now?”

“Yes. It’s going to take a while with its size.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her that’s why you recruit people for help, but then I really look at her face. The tenderness in her eyes as she admires the tree. Her angelic smile. Rosemary isn’t being controlling; she wants to be hands-on with this. She’s excited to execute her vision.

“Why the tree?”

My question pulls her out of her trance, and her expression turns shy. Her cheeks have turned pink. “For my grandma. She always had the most beautiful live tree up in her house. We’d make new decorations for it every year. It’s my favorite memory, and I always look forward to it. This is the first year she’s not doing it. She and Grandpa said they’re too old to do it anymore. I want to surprise her, and what better place than here? It’ll mean more than if it were at one of our houses, because this is home for all of us. Their tree tradition will continue.”

No wonder she didn’t want to hire help. This is personal. A warmth fills me at what it could mean that she allowed me to be a part of it. My chest tightens and I’m having difficulty swallowing.

“Anyway.” She chuckles. “Go ahead and get some sleep. Thank you for today.”

“Hey, it was as much of a pleasure for me as it was you.” I wink.

I don’t offer to help decorate the tree. Rosemary has been sending everyone away, and she didn’t ask me to stay. I’ll come back and check on her, but for now, I’ll give her space and alone time with her tree.