“I’ll sort the coffee.” Dylan rolls his eyes, guiding me towards the doorway. “You get changed.”
As I move towards the stairs, my sister follows me, and we hurry into her room.
“What is he doing here? On Christmas morning!” Cassie hisses as I quickly brush my teeth. “After yesterday too!”
“I know,” I mumble through the toothpaste. “Grab me an outfit, would you? He wants me to go somewhere with him! Do you mind?”
Cassie gapes at me as I strip off, using her en suite shower.
“No, of course not! Bloody hell, I wish Dylan Charmer would wantmeto go somewhere with him. These kids are draining me.”
I giggle, jumping into the shower and washing as quickly as I can. Cassie is nowhere to be seen when I get out, but there’s a cute red dress and black tights awaiting me on the bed. Beside it is a tube of lipstick, and I can’t help but laugh.
Ruby Red,the sticker on the base declares.
“What does she think I am, Mrs Claus?!” I mutter, getting changed.
My heart is pounding so hard in my chest I’m sure I’ll have a heart attack. My legs aren’t even properly dry as I yank the tights up, but I’m conscious that Dylan is waiting for me downstairs.
I’m probably overreacting. I kissed the man yesterday, and heleft,for goodness sake!
But still.
It’sChristmas morning!
You’ve got to have a little faith on Christmas Day, right?
When I’m dressed, I bypass the red lipstick, sending a silent apology to my sister. Somehow,Ruby Redjust isn’t me.
I pull on my boots, remembering Dylan’s reaction to them the first time round. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I didn’t have any footwear equipped for this climate.
I skip downstairs to find Dylan waiting for me in the kitchen, his eyes lighting up upon seeing me.
“Very Christmassy.” He grins, watching me pull my long black coat on. “All you need is red lipstick, and you’ll look every inch of Mrs Christmas.”
I button my coat up wordlessly, sending a glance down the hall to where my sister and Tom are standing grinning in the doorway, lifting their coffee cups excitedly.
“Well, I’ll be back soon,” I say, looking up at Dylan, who nods.
“I’ll have her back for Christmas Lunch. Promise.”
He guides me towards the door as I exchange one last glance with my sister, who looks like she’s going to burst into song.
She better not.
“Merry Christmas, guys!” Cassie calls after us, and I grin at Dylan, who reaches for my hand.
“You’re wearing those daft boots. You’re gonna need to hold my hand, Mrs Christmas.”
“Miss, actually,” I correct him as he sweeps his blue gaze over me.
“Yeah, you are. Miss Christmas.”
I flush at the name but decide I quite like it.
“Who are you then? The Grinch?” I laugh as he studies me, looking away when I move my gaze to his.
“Not quite. You’ll see.”
