In a lot of ways that would only confuse things, and his life was already complicated enough.

But as he set up the tree under her mother’s watchful eye, Gabe realized that his version of complicated didn’t have to be the only one. Angi had a lot to deal with, but the love she felt for her mother and vice versa was palpable. They hung ornaments and her mom told a story about almost each and every one, with Andrew continuously asking for more details. So many memories of happy Christmases, memories Gabe didn’t have.

His mom hadn’t cared much about the holidays, other than when it came to whatever lavish gift she wanted from her boyfriend of the moment. There hadn’t been decorations, and some years she’d forgotten to buy presents altogether until the last minute. Gabe had gotten used to receiving random gifts obviously purchased from the chain drugstore that was open late on Christmas Eve. Gran had always sent something perfect, but more often than not, her thoughtfulness only seemed to infuriate his mom.

The more he compared Angi’s family traditions with those of his own, his gut began to clench. He was the worst option for a fake boyfriend because what did he know about what normal people did or acted like?

She’d been right to question his ability to have friends or act human. He hadn’t made friends easily as a kid, and his time in the military had just about pummeled the desire to connect with people out of him. He’d transformed himself from the wimpy kid who was a target for bullies far and wide to a hard and honed soldier, but the cost was too great.

He watched Andrew as he hung each ornament his nonna handed him with care and precision. Gabe mentally made a plan to show up at the elementary school the following morning and beat the snot out of those little punks who were tormenting Angi’s son.

Okay, he wouldn’t hurt a kid, but he was ready to scare them enough so that they’d be motivated to leave Drew alone.

The kid was valiant in his dedication to learning self-defense or karate or any kind of fighting moves in order to be tougher, but Gabe knew from firsthand experience that wasn’t the answer. Andrew was perfect just as he was, and Gabe wanted to protect that innocence. The way he’d wanted a protector.

As Angi met his gaze across the room, her eyes warm and filled with a gentle sentimentality, his heart leaped in his chest. He wasn’t fit to be the boy’s protector or her knight in shining armor or even a decent fake boyfriend. But damn if he didn’t want all three.

Gabe had learned at an early age that it was the wanting that led to heartache. Wanting made him vulnerable. Wanting made him an easy target. He’d crafted a life devoid of hungering for things he shouldn’t hunger for, and he wasn’t about to change it now.