Page 21 of Sweet Boys Love Christmas
“I don’t know.” He picks up the remote, his lips quirking. “Outback, maybe? I’m guessing you’ve never had a bloomin’ onion.”
“Definitely not.” There’s no stopping the grin now.
“Woman.” He drops his head back with a groan. “You haven’t lived.”
I think we’re flirting, but I’m not quite sure. I’m greatly out of practice.
“I’ll take you,” he murmurs. “But not as a date. I know you don’t want that.”
“Right.” My smile evaporates, and I lower my head. I did say that I didn’t want to date, so why am I practically on my knees begging him to spend time with me?
“Any preferences on movies?” he asks, kneeling on the floor in front of the TV.
“What do you have?”
“Um…” He opens a cabinet door, revealing rows of DVDs. Humming, he pulls a few out, then holds them up for me to see. “These. Or we could rent something on TV.”
“Unaccompanied Minors.” I read the title on one. “Let’s do that.”
With a nod, he pops it into the DVD player.
Jocelyn pokes her head into the family room, eyes ping-ponging between the two of us. “Go ahead and start a movie, you two. I’m going to hop into the shower first.”
Luke narrows his eyes at her, as if silently sayingI see you and I know exactly what you’re doing.
Undeterred, she smiles, then turns and disappears down the hall.
“Sorry about her.” He stands from the floor and puts his hands on his hips. “She likes to meddle.”
“I like it. I likeher.” And I mean it. “I wish I had a mom who cared that much about me.”
He rubs his jaw. “Don’t worry. If you let her, she’ll take you under her wing.” With a shake of his head, he settles into the recliner a few feet away, and while I think it’s sweet he’s trying to keep his distance, I stupidly want him closer.
“I don’t bite,” I tease, patting the empty spot on the couch beside me.
He arches a perfectly shaped brow. It’s annoying how well-manicured they look when I highly doubt he’s ever taken tweezers or wax to them. Meanwhile, I have to brush my eyebrow hair every morning so it’s not sticking in every direction.
Silently, he gets up and joins me on the couch.
I’m not sure what I’m doing, tempting fate like this, but I can’t help but revel in his closeness.
“Have you heard from your parents today?” Luke asks while a preview plays on the TV.
Hands clasped in my lap, I shake my head. “No. I didn’t expect to.”
He frowns, a flash of irritation momentarily marring his handsome face. “They suck.”
“They do,” I agree. There’s no point in arguing that point.
We’re about thirty minutes into the movie when Jocelyn joins us with plates of apple pie and ice cream.
The sound that comes out of me at my first taste is downright ungodly. Holding my breath, I duck to hide my heated cheeks.
Luke gives me a little smirk. “Told you it was good.”
“I’m so happy you like it,” Jocelyn says, a proud smile on her lips.
“Could you teach me to make this?” I point at the dessert with my fork, as if she doesn’t know what I’m talking about.
