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“Because I want to be your friend”

The air rushed out of ue with him To ask him what all those moments at his party were about Why he seemed particularly interested in whether or not Ethan and I had anything beyond friendship Why he said he wanted to kissEthan I didn’t iine what happened between us in the kitchen I couldn’t have Yet, I couldn’t trust myself where Carson was concerned Our past indicated that all those things didn’t matter Of course he wanted to be friends

When his sharp blue eyesotherwise I hated myself for it because that was just one more way Carson Brooks had won

Reaching across lovebox and pulled out a piece of paper I recognized as the list I made

His hand brushed my arm for the briefest of moments, and I suppressed the shiver it caused

“Ready?” he asked

???

We took our third cartful of items to the car Stuffed inside the back of Carson’s Jeep was everything to make Christmas special Toys for the kids, clothes, new pajamas, books We even found a fantastic deal on towels and sheets for each family

All in all, it had been a good trip The added donations Carson procured went a long way If one good thing came out of our punishment, it was that these adopted fa Christmas

At least so of my own crappy holiday somewhat bearable

“Last stop,” Carson said

“Yes Let’s do this” My feet ached, and I was starving

As we headed toward the perfume shop, I said, “I think it’s kind of cute that so hone”

“It just goes to show that you’re never too old to take pride in yourself Why shouldn’t they s some Oakleys and the latest Gucci scent I’ll be pimpin’ it till the day I die All the old ladies will be swooning at my feet”

I snorted “Dropping like flies at the bottom of your wheelchair’s more like it”