Sure, the rooftop is all set, but I still haven’t managed to do the most important thing.
“Relax, man, we’ll get it done. What do we have left?”
“The most impossible thing—a fucking tree.”
“How hard can it be?”
Thirty minutes later, Ashton feels my pain.
“This is crazy. No trees? Anywhere?”
I rest my head against the back of the car seat, my optimistic attitude gone.
“Let’s meet the girls,” Ashton says. “You and Quinn finish off the rest of your day, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
“How in the hell are you going to find a tree? We’ve been looking all day and came up empty-handed.”
“Don’t worry. I have a plan. Just stall Quinn as long as you can.”
Easier said than done.
CHAPTER6
QUINN
Icouldn’t have been happier to see Claire. As much as I love Hunter and what he’s trying to do, I’m just not in the mood. It’s a valiant effort on his part, but I’m over the holiday season and would just like to move on.
“That’s really sweet of him,” Claire says when I tell her what Hunter’s been trying to do.
“I know. I’ve just never cared much about Christmas. The only thing I wanted was to spend it with our families. With that off the table, I just don’t feel like celebrating it at all.”
“I get it, but you have to remember. Hunter is a Christmas guy, and this is your first Christmas together. He wants to make it special. He also has a weak spot for you. One pout and the guy would turn the world upside down to make it right.”
I’m well aware of the lengths that Hunter would go for me. That isn’t the issue. The issue is that I don’t want him to.
“Well, he’s not giving me a choice, so it doesn’t even matter.”
“Good for him.” Claire takes my arm as we walk. “Now, let’s talk about the important stuff—what are you going to get Hunter for Christmas?”
We make our way through the crowded store arm in arm so we don’t lose each other.
“We decided not to exchange gifts.”
“We?” Claire probes.
“Okay, I decided we aren’t exchanging gifts, but Hunter agreed.”
“Reluctantly, I’m sure. Why in the world would you want that?”
“You know I don’t care about material things. Besides, what more could I want? I have a man that loves me, an amazing home...”
“And a wardrobe to die for.”
“Exactly.” I twirl around in the form-fitting skinny jeans and cropped red sweater. “Like I said, no gifts needed, so I’m not really sure what we’re shopping for.”
We reach the lingerie section.
“You could give him this,” Claire suggests as she picks up a hanger, holding the skimpiest lingerie I have ever seen, and that’s really saying something.