slapped them against the counter. “Next time you give me the choice.”
He’d hurt her. He saw that now. He’d been so focused on his own needs that he’d failed to consider hers. “I’m sorry, Anna. If you and Mitch want to come over tonight—”
“We’re celebrating with Mitch’s family this evening,” Anna advised. “But we’re free tomorrow.”
Seeing the unsure look in her eyes only added to Seth’s guilt. He smiled encouragingly. “Why don’t you come over in the morning. You can watch Ivy open her gifts, and we can all have lunch, maybe play some cards.”
“C’mon, Anna, say yes,” Lauren urged. “It’d be so much fun.”
“It would be fun.” Anna slanted a sideways glance at Mitch and he nodded. “What time?”
Seth thought for a minute. “Nine?”
“We’ll be there.” The light returned to Anna’s eyes.
Lauren squeezed Anna’s arm. “I’m so happy you’re coming.”
Anna smiled. “Me, too.”
Seth let his gaze linger on Lauren. She’d always been such a good, supportive friend to his sister. She’d always gone out of her way to be nice to him. Any regret over his impromptu invitation disappeared. He was glad she’d be spending Christmas with him and Ivy.
She caught him staring and smiled.
“Ready to go?” he asked. “I don’t want to keep Connie away from her own family any longer than necessary.”
Lauren grabbed her coat and bags from the counter. “We just need to stop by the house for my overnight bag.”
Overnight. The impact of what he’d done struck him. A woman would be spending the night in his home. Not any woman, he clarified, Ivy’s potential babysitter. The tightness gripping his chest eased.
Lauren gave Mitch and then Anna a quick hug. “See you tomorrow.”
The physical contact surprised him. He’d never thought of Lauren as the touchy-feely type. She’d always seemed more...businesslike.
Of course, she had hugged him in her kitchen only a few days earlier. The feel of her soft body pressed against him had brought all sorts of memories and feelings flooding back. Even though he’d told himself it was just a simple hug by his sister’s friend, his body hadn’t gotten the message. He was just relieved Lauren hadn’t noticed.
“Are you feeling okay?”
Seth looked up to find Anna staring. “Why do you ask?”
“You look a little flushed.”
He ran a finger along the inside collar of his coat. “That’s because you keep it like an oven in here.”
“Hot?” Mitch laughed. “Are you crazy? I can see my breath.”
“Speaking of temperature...” Anna turned to Lauren. “If you get cold in his house, don’t ask, just turn up the thermostat. My darling brother is like an Eskimo.” Anna shook her head. “I practically have to wear my coat inside his home.”
Granted Seth was most comfortable with the house cool, but Anna was exaggerating. “You didn’t wear your jacket when you and Mitch stopped out a couple days ago.”
“That’s because Mitch was there to keep me warm.” Anna cupped her husband’s face with her hand and planted a lengthy kiss on his more-than-willing lips.
“Not warm. Hot.” Mitch’s hands slid sensuously up and down his wife’s back. “I keep you hot.”
“You most certainly do.” Anna breathed a happy sigh before shifting her gaze back to Seth and Lauren. “That’s another option for you.”
“Option for what?” Lauren asked, looking perplexed.
Anna put her hands on her hips. “Must I spell everything out?”
The twinkle lurking in Anna’s eyes sent red flags popping up. A shiver of unease skittered up Seth’s spine. “That’s okay—”
“Spell it out,” Lauren said innocently, obviously not sensing the danger.
“Personal contact.” Anna offered a sly smile. “Why worry about the thermostat when you have in your power the capability to generate your own heat?”
“Anna,” Seth growled in warning.
“Are you suggesting I sleep with your brother?” Lauren sounded more amused than shocked.
“I’ll leave the specifics to you.” Anna’s lips curved in a sly smile.
“You have gone too far,” Seth spoke between gritted teeth. ‘To suggest—”
His words were drowned out by the sound of Lauren’s laughter. “Thanks for the great advice, Anna. If I get too cold, I’ll definitely consider your suggestion.”
Chapter Three
Lauren gazed down at the Trouble game board spread out before her, the bright primary colors creating a cheery pattern on Seth’s family room floor. As she prepared to take her turn, she wiped the beads of sweat from her brow. She couldn’t believe Anna thought Seth kept his home too cool.
Pushing the sleeves of her sweater up to her elbows, Lauren hit the Pop-O-Matic bubble to roll the die. Yellow. She moved her peg three steps forward. Behind her