Page 6 of My Boyfriend Marks Trees
“How do I know this is real?”
“Google it. I’m legit. If you want, you can call my mom and sisters too. They’ll vouch for me.”
Greta returned, waving paper and scissors, the paper technically already used; one side had flyer info on it. Charlotte’s work had printed too many for a sale they were having, and rather than dump them in the garbage, she’d brought them home for arts and crafts.
“I gots it!” Greta squealed. “What are you gonna do with it?”
“Well, this tree is kind of naked, little princess. What do you say we give it some snowflakes?”
“Yesss.” Greta plopped down and watched as Ares joined her, showing her how to fold the paper accordion-style before trimming bits and pieces and then expanding it with a “Ta-da!”
“Pretty.” Greta fluttered it to the tree and draped it. “Let’s make another.”
“Your turn.” He guided Greta without touching, which Charlotte appreciated, and soon her munchkin had her own snowflakes on the tree.
It led to Charlotte murmuring, “I think we have some popcorn we can string too.” Might as well join in since the tree was staying.
An hour later and the tree had paper snowflakes, macaroni and popcorn garland, and Greta’s prized knock-off Cinderella princess sitting at the very top, courtesy of Ares, who finagled a way for her to stay up there. It was just missing lights, and her work had those for five bucks a strand. She’d just skip buying meat for a few days.
Greta rubbed her tummy. “I’m hungry, Mama.”
The late afternoon had turned into dinnertime, and Charlotte gnawed her lower lip because the right thing to do would be to invite Ares to stay for dinner, only the leftover casserole was barely enough for two.
“Why don’t you wash up, munchkin, and Mama will fix something.”
As Greta skipped out of the room, Charlotte’s cheeks heated as she mumbled, “I’m sorry, but I haven’t done groceries and?—”
“No need to apologize or explain. I know I’ve overstayed my welcome, or should I say, barging in? You’ve got a sweet kid.”
“I know.”
“Thanks for not poking me with your knife. I know I kind of took you by surprise.”
Her eyes widened. So he’d noticed it. “Thank you for not being a psychopath.”
His lips curved. “Just a weird dude who sells Christmas trees and makes cheese. I should get going now. Mom’s usually got dinner on the table by six-thirty, and it will take at least a half-hour to get home.”
“You live with your mom?” It came out a little judgey.
“Me and my baby sister. We don’t like Mom being alone, especially since the farm always needs something done. My older sister, Athena, moved out, but she comes by often.”
A man close to his family. Sweet and rare these days.
Greta skipped back in and saw Ares putting on his coat. “You’re leaving?” Her lips turned down.
“Yeah. But I had a fun time. Thanks for letting me help decorate your tree.”
“You’re welcome. When are you coming back?”
“I’m not sure, princess. I think that will depend on your mom.”
Charlotte hadn’t been interested in any man since the sour experience with Greta’s dad, so it surprised when she muttered, “Maybe he can come back for dinner another time.”
The smile he beamed her way almost impregnated her. Her ovaries certainly did a little jiggle. Jeezus, no way was he single. Or if he was, definitely a player.
“I would love to come back for a visit. ‘Til next time, little princess.”
Greta threw herself at his legs and squeezed. “Bye, Ares.”