One Fake Fiance - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,14

around the table. His gaze settled on Layla who was directly across from him at the other end, giving her a loving smile. “Our family is growing.”

Magnolia glanced at Lucas who was seated next to her, but his expression was too guarded to read.

“Let us pray,” Dylan said as he reached out to join hands with Lucas and Lexi, who were sitting closest to him. When Lucas caught hold of Magnolia’s hand, her breath hitched. His touch was more thrilling than she would’ve ever imagined. She tried her best to keep her expression impassive as she reached for Layla’s hand. Dylan offered a heartfelt prayer, expressing gratitude for the Christmas season. He mentioned that he was thankful to have Asher and Magnolia join them.

The light pressure of Lucas’s hand titillated her skin, shooting warm tingles through her. It was crazy how her body was reacting to him. Yes, Magnolia had been crazy about Lucas back in the day, but she’d moved on, hardly giving him a passing thought. Then, when she realized that he was the one Lexi was fixing her up with, the old hurt had risen up so fiercely that it had overtaken her reason. It was strange that she’d reacted so strongly to seeing Lucas again.

Dylan offered a hearty Amen when the prayer was over.

Lucas let go of her hand. Instantly, she felt a sense of loss. Interesting.

“Dig in,” Layla encouraged as everyone began passing around bowls of food.

Dinner was excellent. Lexi was an incredible cook. The cornbread was good too.

Conversation flowed easily around the table. Dylan asked Lucas about the ranch, and Lucas talked about everything he was doing. It was obvious that he derived great satisfaction from his work.

Dylan looked at Lexi and Asher. “So, how’s the music business?”

A look passed between Lexi and Asher. “Great!” Lexi gushed. “We’re going to High Cliff Records tomorrow to lay down some tracks for our new album.”

“We hope to get a good start on it before everything shuts down for the holidays,” Asher added.

“What type of work do you do?” Dylan asked.

It took Magnolia a second to realize that the question was directed at her. She’d just taken a bite of cornbread. The crumbs got caught in her throat as she coughed to clear it.

“You okay?” Lucas asked.

She nodded as she reached for her glass, taking a quick drink of water. “Yes,” she croaked. “Sorry.” She cleared her throat, patting the center of her chest. “That went down the wrong way.” An apologetic smile curled her lips. She swallowed before taking in a quick breath. “I’m an editor for an online fashion and lifestyle magazine.”

Dylan looked impressed. “Are y’all busy this time of the year?”

“We make a practice of staying a season ahead. We’re now working on our spring edition. We’ll work the rest of this week and next and will then break for the holidays.”

“Speaking of the holidays,” Layla cut in. “We need to make some concrete plans for Christmas.”

Panic rippled through Magnolia. She couldn’t very well announce that she planned to take Lucas to North Carolina where she hoped to marry him the day after Christmas. Her heart picked up its pace as she looked across the table at Lexi. Lexi wore an uncomfortable expression as she shifted in her seat. She glanced at Asher before moistening her lips.

“Um, Asher and I are planning on spending Christmas day with his family since we were here for Thanksgiving.”

Layla nodded in disappointment.

“But we’ll for sure spend New Year’s Eve and Day here,” Lexi added.

“Oh, good,” Layla said, her smile fixing back into place. “How about you guys?” She turned her gaze to Magnolia and Lucas.

Magnolia’s pulse hammered in her ears. She had no idea what to say.

“We’ll be heading to North Carolina to spend Christmas with Magnolia’s folks.” The words flowed easily from Lucas’s mouth.

“Really?” Magnolia turned to face him. “Are you sure?” She searched his handsome face, her eyes asking all that her mouth couldn’t right now.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” he said evenly.

Magnolia wanted to jump up and shout hallelujah. She couldn’t stop the jubilant smile from spreading over her lips. “Okay. We’re doing this.”

Lucas nodded.

“Doing what?” Dylan asked with a frown.

Magnolia blinked. Shoot! She should have taken more care to guard her words.

“Magnolia was asking if I could take her to North Carolina to visit her folks. I wasn’t sure if I could clear my work schedule, but I talked to Knox and Jaxson today, and they’re good with me taking a few extra days off.”

Magnolia’s jaw