Chapter Eight
KENI
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It’s two weeks untilChristmas, and the holiday carols are already getting on my nerves.I pull the light strands from the box and take the staple gun with me to the dining area where Diesel stands, trying to figure out what else to do.
On the back table is a garland, “I’m thinking of wrapping the garland with the lights and going around the ceiling edges.”
He agrees, “I’ll go get the ladder.Nicki should be back with another round of drinks in a minute.”
I begin to intertwine the lights with the green garland, and every two feet, I add a red bow.
“Wow, you’re good at this.”Xander walks toward the table and points to the hanging decorations.
I smile, “Thanks, I enjoy it.”I stop to take a sip of my drink and place the pint glass back onto the table, out of the way.When Diesel returns with the ladder, Xander offers to help.
“Now that I have all this put together, it will be easier,” I say, laying the garland along the length of the back room.Nicki runs back with a couple of shots, “Looking good, kiddo!”she says, handing me the tray.
“Thanks for your help, Professor,” she turns back toward the bar.I place the tray on the side table, “It’s Xander.His name is Xander,” I call out, wiping my mouth and shaking off the burn from the fireball shot.Nicki looks over her shoulder and smiles, “Xander, it is, then.”
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XANDER
It seems she’s been drinking all afternoon, but who am I to judge?I am the one who sits behind the desk, sulking with a bottle of my own.
She grabs the open ladder and yanks it toward the wall.I can’t believe she thinks she is sober enough to climb up the ladder without any help or support.She is the most stubborn woman I have ever met.
Before I can open my mouth to protest, she bites down on the strand of garland wrapped in lights and climbs, approaching the top at record speed.In two quick strides, I am underneath her, holding the metal ladder in place.
“Um, Kendra, are you sure this is a good idea?”I ask, trying to hold the ladder not looking at her beautiful plump ass staring back at me.
“I got this,” she mumbles through her closed teeth, “hand me the staple gun,” she says.I reach down and grab it from the table.Without looking up, I held it high for her to grab.
The next thing I hear is the gun going off, “Okay, slide me over,” she says.I take the chance and look up, “What?I am not sliding the ladder over while you’re up there.You’ll fall!”I let go and placed my hands on my hips, protesting.