Rogue Beast (The Rourkes #12) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,82

out a red wooden soldier nutcracker. “Seems appropriate, huh, sonny?”

I shake my head. The meaning is not lost on me. Guess she’s hard on everyone. I grab a stuffed reindeer and a stuffed Santa. At least they’re cute. “Do you have any flowers or candy?”

“No flowers this time of year. Candy’s up front by the register.”

I take my gifts to the front register and scan the offerings. It’s just candy bars and gum. I push my plush presents forward and pull out my wallet. “This’ll do. Thanks so much.”

“You one of Harper’s Hollywood friends?” he asks.

“No. My sister-in-law’s an actress. We met through her.”

He rings it up. “Well, we’ve always been rooting for her here in town. Let her know I tune into Living Gold every week.”

“I’m sure she’d like to hear that. I didn’t catch your name.”

“Nicholas.”

St. Nicholas? I clamp my mouth shut over my little joke. “Thanks for your help today, Nicholas.”

I pay for the items, stuff them safely into my leather jacket, and continue on my way. I park in the street in front of her grandmother’s house and notice a dark blue Ford pickup truck in the driveway. Since I can’t imagine Mrs. Ellis driving this huge thing, I’m hoping Harper rented it. Only my churning gut tells me it’s a man’s truck. All of my warm feelings take a dive. This is what Harper needs to talk to me about—she met someone. But why would Mrs. Ellis tell me to come over, then? To force a confrontation? I know she’s not the cuddly grandmother type, but I didn’t think she was deliberately mean.

I ring the bell, leaving my gifts tucked into my jacket. It makes me look like I gained fifty pounds, but I’m not facing her new boyfriend holding a stuffed reindeer and Santa.

Harper opens the door. “Garrett! I didn’t know you’d be here.” She looks amazing, her eyes bright, her skin glowing. She’s wearing an oversized V-neck red sweater, black leggings, and black boots. I just want to scoop her up and carry her away.

“I called and texted you today, but you didn’t answer. I’m sorry it took me so long to get in touch.”

Her eyes go soft. “I turned my phone off at my grandmother’s insistence. She wanted my full focus on helping her decorate the tree. Come in.”

I step inside. A guy around my age is standing in the living room in a long-sleeved blue cotton shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Dammit, he’s good looking. Actor?

Mrs. Ellis rises from her chair. “Garrett, this is Drew, a friend of Harper’s. She’s known him her whole life as someone to count on. Strong and a good provider.” She smiles at him and then turns to Harper. “Special forces in the military, so he’ll keep you safe too.”

Red-hot jealousy spikes through me, and my hands form fists.

21

Garrett

“So this is your new guy?” I ask Harper. “Did you wait at all after we broke up, or did you just call him right away?”

Harper gasps and turns to her grandmother. “Are you trying to instigate something?”

The guy rubs the back of his neck. “I thought your heat wasn’t working. It seems warm enough in here.”

“Yeah, you’re not needed here,” I say. “You should go.” I jerk my head toward the door.

He ambles closer and narrows his eyes at me.

Mrs. Ellis claps. “You two should take it outside.”

The guy stares me down. “Who are you?”

I get into battle stance, legs wide, fists at the ready. “I’m the guy who’s gonna be with Harper long term.”

He shakes his head. “Fine by me. I’m here to fix the heat.”

“I can do that,” I say.

“There’s nothing wrong with the heat,” Harper says.

Mrs. Ellis plants her hands on her hips. “Well, if you’re not going to fight, we should all have cocoa and cookies to catch up.”

Harper goes to my side. “Drew, I’m so sorry she called you all the way over here for nothing.”

His lips twitch. “I should’ve known she was up to something.” He leans around her to address Mrs. Ellis. “Thanks for the offer of cocoa, but my family’s expecting me for our own Christmas Eve celebration.”

“Thanks for stopping by,” she carols, taking her seat. “Merry Christmas.”

“You too.” He lets himself out.

The moment he does, Harper scowls at her grandmother. “What in the world are you doing? Dragging Drew out here for a false errand on Christmas Eve!”

She smiles serenely. “I wanted to see if Garrett would rise to the occasion. Jealous? Check. Tough enough to go toe-to-toe with