Page 44 of Jingle Bell Jilt
My eyes widen. How had this information not come up before now? “Really? Is he in the rodeo?”
She shakes her head. “No, but he owns a cattle ranch. Sometimes it’s necessary to catch a bull. And trust me, bulls rarely like to be caught.”
My head shakes. “You’re an interesting person, Shay Taylor.”
She grins and her cheeks pink. “I said my dad wrestles bulls. Not me.” Her smile widens. “At least not regularly.”
I twist my head and look at her through side eyes. Is she being serious right now?
She pulls her top lip between her teeth. “Okay, so what time do you want to leave? Do you want to go early this afternoon or this evening?”
“I don’t care.” I look down at my horrible sweater. “I just need to change out of this sweater and then I’m ready. Or we can wait and go this evening.”
Her mouth drops open. “What do you mean ‘change out of this sweater’? We wear our sweaters to the movie.”
“Not on your life.” I deadpan stare at her. Besides, she has to be kidding again, right?
Her head shakes back and forth slowly. “Uh, no. That’s the deal. We wear them all day on Christmas.”
“You want me to wear this outside of this house?” I point down to the Nutcrackers. “You must be insane.”
Her brow does that adorable crinkle thing, and again I push back the urge to kiss her. “You’re right. I’m taking it too far. You don’t have to wear the sweater.” I can see the disappointment in her eyes. Dang her! I don’t even think this one is a ruse. I think she’s genuinely disappointed.
“No, if that’s part of the tradition, then I’ll wear it.” I sigh.
“No, really. You don’t have to.” She lifts her hand as if that’s what will seal the deal.
“Are you wearing yours?” I ask.
She guffaws. “Of course. It’s Christmas.”
I run my hand through my hair, hardly believing what I’m about to say. “If you’re wearing yours, I’m wearing mine.”
Her whole face smiles and I mean her whole face. Her eyes crinkle and her nose scrunches up slightly. And her actual smile is huge. If this is what wearing this horrible sweater accomplishes, it’s completely worth it. Oh, man. I’m in trouble.
* * *
SHAY
It’slong past dark when we get back to Evan’s house after the movie. I fell asleep while he was doing the dishes, so we decided to do an evening viewing of the Tom Cruise movie.
It was good. I mean, there was a lot of driving fast and things blowing up. And Tom ran a lot, which I always find entertaining. He just has an interesting gait when he runs. His arms and knees stay at perfect ninety-degree angles. Nobody has form that perfect naturally. That’s all I’m saying.
I stand just inside the door as Evan turns to lock everything up. “Well, thanks for the movie. I totally could have paid my own way.”
He turns toward me and smiles. For a minute I think he might kiss me, and my stomach gets all fluttery and roller coaster-y. Does that mean I want him to kiss me? I don’t think I don’t want him to kiss me. But then again, I haven’t kissed anyone but Nathan in years. So the idea seems weird and scary and exciting all at the same time.
But then Evan steps around me and I realize that I’m worrying or anticipating for nothing. “It’s late, I think I’m going to turn in.” He grins down at me. “But not before I burn this sweater.”
I reach over and rub his sleeve between my fingers. “I’m pretty sure with this fiber content, it’ll be more melting than burning.”
“Melting?”
I nod. “I would not advise sleeping in it. I’m certain it’s not fire rated.”
He takes a step closer to me and again, my stomach goes into overdrive. “Don’t worry. I never plan to wear this sweater again.” He smiles down at me before he takes a step back and then turns and heads down the hallway.
I’m not a swearer, but I will admit that one popped into my head just then. I take a very slow deliberate breath, because Oh. My. Heck. What is happening to me? It must be the dim glow of the lights surrounding the tinsel tree. I mean, what else can it be?
