A Billionaire Boyfriend For Christmas - Holly Rayner Page 0,31

reached over and closed the window shade. “That helps me.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly, embarrassed that he’d noticed.

The jet reached its destined height and leveled out, and it was then that Adison noticed how close Ken was to her. He’d moved into the seat across from her to close the shade, and now their faces couldn’t be more than a foot apart.

He must have had the realization at the same moment. His bright blue eyes widened, and he cleared his throat before sitting back in the seat.

She looked down, hating the butterflies in her chest. When were they going to get the picture and migrate on out of there?

She cleared her throat, desperate to start a new conversation but not knowing what to say.

Thankfully, Ken spoke up. “How is it going with the party decorations?”

“Good.” She met his gaze. “Corinne and I went to the craft store the other day. Once I get back from this trip, we’ll make the centerpieces for the cocktail tables. Something like this.”

She pulled out her phone and scrolled until she came to a picture of candles floating in water filled with glitter. The glitter and water had been mixed with glue and food coloring to distribute the glitter. “Except ours will be silver and red,” she said. “Winter wonderland.”

“That’s right. A perfect theme.” He propped his chin in his hand and gazed at her with what she was fairly sure was admiration. “Have you always been this good at decorating?”

“I’m not sure I’ve always been good at it, but I have always loved it. My mom was crazy for the holidays.” Adison hesitated, then continued.

“We always had three Christmas trees. One she would decorate all fancy, like something out of a magazine. That one went in front of the living room windows, so it could be seen from the street and was the first thing people saw when they entered the house.” Adison paused, picturing the tree in her mind and trying not to get misty-eyed before continuing.

“A second tree went in the family room. That one we’d decorate with family ornaments, those cheesy construction paper cut-outs with my picture on them and homemade garland made of strung popcorn. Best of all, the third tree went in my room. Each year I decorated that one however I liked, with items I’d find around the house. One year I had it covered in ornaments I’d made with cookie cutters, printer paper, and hung with paperclips.”

Adison finished with a laugh, and Ken chuckled as well. She hadn’t expected to share such a personal story, and it was probably the most she’d ever said in front of him at one time.

“Your mom sounds amazing.”

“She was amazing. She and my dad have been gone four years now. They died in a car accident.” Adison opened the blind. Fields and highways stretched out below, the cars little ants.

“I’m sorry.” His voice was thick and low. “My parents have also been gone for a few years, although I wasn’t nearly as close to them as it sounds like you were to yours.”

“Why not?” she said, then realized how rude she was being. “I’m sorry,” she added swiftly. “I shouldn’t have asked that. I don’t know why I did.”

“It’s all right. Some of us merely aren’t that lucky when it comes to family, I suppose.”

“I realize I was really fortunate,” she said. “My mom and dad…they were my best friends.”

“And now?”

“Now it’s Corinne…and Taffy.”

“Ah. How could we forget Taffy?” His eyes twinkled. “Where is she?”

“Staying at Corinne’s. Probably keeping her awake at night by running around the apartment.”

Ken ran his palm over his head, which left his hair ruffled a bit. “And you spend Christmas with Corinne?”

“I do. It used to be us and her parents, but since they retired to Florida, it’s just us. Not much of a party.”

“I bet it’s wonderful. Knowing you, it’s an event for the ages every year.”

“Oh, come on. Dressing in costume and singing Christmas carols door to door is completely normal.”

“Let me guess. You dress like you’re from a Dickens novel.”

“I’d asked you to join us,” Adison teased, “but I probably won’t have time to do that this year.”

“If the party is too much to handle, we could get you some help.” His eyebrows crept upward.

“Oh, no. No. I didn’t mean to suggest anything like that. I want to be planning this party. It’s been terrific.”

“Good, good. I’m glad to hear that.” He reclined in his seat, hooking one ankle over the opposite leg.

Adison