The Merriest Magnolia (Magnolia Sisters #2) - Michelle Major Page 0,65
offered, leaning the tree back against the others. Carrie had a feeling he didn’t want to give Dylan a chance to change his mind.
“Let’s head over to the register and I’ll ring you up,” she told him.
“I’m probably going to lose my security deposit because of that tree.”
Carrie laughed and headed toward the makeshift counter where the register was situated. “I never thought you’d agree to Sasquatch.”
“Sam called our house home,” he said, and she could hear the emotion threading through his words.
Her heart seemed to skip a beat in response. Who knew vulnerability could be so damn sexy?
“You’ll make it work,” she told him.
They were silent as she processed his credit card, an AmEx Black. Her father had tried and failed for years to qualify for that level of plastic but had always been denied. It should have been a warning to Carrie that his finances weren’t nearly as flush as he pretended. Dylan didn’t seem to even register that his card was something special.
“What time are you finished here?” he asked as he took the credit card from her, his finger brushing against hers and sending electricity dancing along her skin.
She glanced at her watch and then to the sky. Anywhere except Dylan’s blue eyes. “The tree stand closes at six. I’ll be finished shortly after that unless Lily comes back sooner.”
“Then you can join us for dinner as well as tree trimming and movie viewing.”
“I don’t know.” She wrapped her arms around her waist, the cold that had disappeared standing next to Dylan seeping into her bones again. “It’s been a long day. I need a shower and to check on the litter of foster kittens I have at the moment.”
“Dinner at seven?” Dylan asked as if she hadn’t offered up the lamest, spinsterish excuses known to man. Washing her hair and taking care of cats? Could she be any more of a cliché?
She should decline the invitation. Spending time with Dylan made her feel too much. It made her want too much.
“Okay,” she answered after a moment, both because she liked spending time with him, and she didn’t want to be alone. “But only so that I can make sure you don’t convince Sam that Christmas Vacation is better than Elf.”
Dylan’s eyes crinkled at the corners. Would he call her out on the lie? Was it totally obvious that she couldn’t resist him?
“Whatever you say, sweetheart,” he answered and then leaned in and brushed a quick kiss over her lips.
“You can’t kiss me in public,” she whispered.
He flashed a cheeky grin. “I just did.”
It was pointless to argue with him, so she simply made a face then went to greet another family approaching the tree stand.
She congratulated herself for not turning back to look at Dylan again. As if that made her any less aware of him or his effect on her.
As if anything could.
* * *
DYLAN GLANCED AT the clock for what felt like the millionth time in the past ten—now eleven—minutes. Seven-eleven.
Carrie was eleven minutes late. Did that mean she wasn’t coming? His phone remained dark and silent on the kitchen counter. A direct contrast to the light parade of disappointment flashing inside him.
Had he pushed her too hard about coming over? Given her no choice but to ghost him once again?
Why did it matter anyway? He didn’t need her, or any woman, in his life. His hands were more than full with running the business and worrying over Sam.
Since the accident, he’d taken over the bulk of responsibilities in the company that had previously been split between his uncle and cousin.
In addition to his own duties and remotely, since he and Sam had moved to Magnolia.
There was no time for distraction, and Carrie sidetracked him on every level.
He watched the clock as another minute passed.
The doorbell rang a moment later. Before Dylan had gotten to his feet, the sound of teenage footsteps thundered down the stairs and Sam ran past him.
“We need to eat fast,” the kid called over his shoulder, “so we can start decorating.”
Worth it, Dylan thought to himself as he followed Sam to the front door. Even if their enormous, ill-fitting tree shed every one of its needles before the New Year, it would be worth it for Sam’s excitement tonight.
Dylan still didn’t believe in Christmas magic or any of that garbage, but he couldn’t deny the impact the holidays were having on Sam.
Just like he couldn’t deny Carrie’s effect on him.