a dozen texts,” he moans with a frown as he checks his phone. Ella and I stand outside the bathroom door. “You go first.”
She arches a brow and toys with the doorknob. “You know, you didn’t have to let me win.”
I lean a little closer, let her sweet scent tease my senses. “You think I let you win?”
“I think you easily could have tackled me if you wanted to.”
“Are you saying you think I didn’t want to tackle you?” I tease.
“I don’t know what I’m saying, but now you’re stuck cleaning and cooking for an entire month.”
“I don’t mind. It’s better than taking a chance on hurting you.”
Her eyes drop, her face falling, a good indication that I already hurt her, which leads me to believe all the more that she’d come back for her phone. Fuck, I want to apologize, I want to explain, I want to make things right between us, but she backs up and closes the door, abruptly ending our conversation. As I stand there staring at it, I vow that before the night is over, I’m going to get everything out in the open.
After she showers, and heads back to her room, I jump in and pinch my eyes shut, trying to dispel the image of her in here naked, or think about the fact that the soap I’m using on my body had just been on hers. A groan crawls out of my throat and I resist the urge to tug one out in the shower. Brady is waiting for his turn, and it probably wouldn’t take long, but I’m going to wait. I’m going to make things right with Ella and she’s worth the wait.
I finish up, dress in a pair of nice pants and a button down, and meet everyone downstairs as Brady gets himself ready. Ivy and Ella are both in dresses, and her folks are dressed up too. Tonight, Ella has her hair down, and I love the way it frames her pretty face.
“How about a beer, son?” David asks as he cracks the can and hands it to me. I take a long pull, as Corinne pours three glasses of wine. She clinks glasses with Ella and Ivy and everyone takes a sip.
“I love having the house full for the holidays,” she says. “You know you’re all invited back for Christmas.”
“I’m sure their families will be expecting them home for Christmas,” Ella says, and as I look at all the food on the counters, Ella continues with, “Mom, did you know Landon is a great cook?”
Her mom’s eyes light as Ivy snaps, “How do you know that?”
“Oh, once when I was tutoring, I had some of his pasta.”
“Are you done tutoring?” she asks.
“When this term ends, I will be,” Ella says, and I catch something that looks like possession with a hint of anger in Ivy’s eyes before she quickly blinks it away. What the hell? I must be mistaken. These girls are sisters, and Ella would do anything for Ivy. Even steal, which of course is a big secret. She said the only thing she wanted that year was to see her sister happy, but I can’t help but wonder if there was something she wanted from Santa, and if she got it. Brady comes downstairs, interrupting my thoughts, and we all get ushered into the big dining room as Corinne carries in the dishes.
We talk about nothing and everything as we gorge, and underneath the table, Ivy puts her hand on my lap. My gaze instantly goes to Ella, but she’s busy saying something to Brady. I’m not with Ella, but I feel a huge amount of guilt at the way Ivy is touching me. I ignore it and take a big swig of beer, as conversation turns to Ivy and theater. I don’t follow along. No, I can’t settle myself, can’t stop thinking about what I have to say to Ella once the dinner dishes are cleared and I can get her alone for a minute.
Soon our plates are empty, and Corinne smiles at us all. “I hope you all left room for pie.”
“I’ll get it.” Ivy jumps up. Everyone seems surprised by that. “Landon, will you help me?”
“Sure.” I push from my seat and follow her into the kitchen. Once we’re alone, she tugs me to her. “About time I got you alone,” she says and I put my hands on her shoulders, about to push her away, tell her I can’t go there with