Page 21 of A Holly Brown Christmas
Just the thought of that depressed her.
“I get what you’re saying and I appreciate your concern, but I’ve seen a different side of Lucas this week—sides that he doesn’t show here at the office. Every year at the Christmas party, he’s just so much more relaxed and personable, and it’s been that way this week when I went to his house. I think he has to put on a professional front here at work, but that’s not all that there is to him.”
After taking another sip of her tea, Crystal shrugged. “Like I said, I just don’t want you to get hurt. If you feel you can handle this, then I believe you. Just remember, he might be a little vulnerable right now and his focus has to be on his family and that whole mess. Don’t let him take advantage of you.”
“Crystal…”
“And you shouldn’t take advantage of him, either.”
“What?!”
“You know, don’t jump his bones or anything because he’s all sad and whatnot.”
“I would never do something like that!”
But now she was thinking about it.
No! Bad Holly! No jumping!
“Okay, okay…that’s the last thing I’m going to say about it.” She smiled brightly. “So, when do you want my neighbor to come and hang all the lights? I told him about the house and he said it would probably take him and another guy a few days.”
“Oh, great! I’ll have to ask Lucas when a good time for them would be to come over. Do you happen to know their availability?”
“Henry’s? He said he’d love to do it over the weekend. I don’t know if that specifically meant this weekend, but…?”
“Hang on. Let me text Lucas right now, so we don’t waste any time.” Pulling her phone out, she quickly typed up a text.
Holly: Hey, it’s Holly! Any chance you’d be okay with the exterior lights being hung this weekend? The guy who can do it might be available this weekend and I’d hate to miss an opportunity!
Putting her phone back down, she looked at Crystal. “I’m not sure if he’ll see this right away, but hopefully this afternoon I’ll be able to…”
Her phone dinging with an incoming text interrupted her, and she felt giddy when she saw a response from Lucas.
Lucas: This weekend will be fine. I have plans for Saturday afternoon, so I’ll be gone for a few hours. Any chance you’d be willing to be at the house in case he has questions?
Don’t appear too anxious….
“You’ve got it bad,” Crystal teased. “You are blushing and smiling and practically have little hearts shooting out of your eyes!”
“Stop! I do not!”
But she was fairly sure she did.
“He just asked if I’d mind being at the house on Saturday because he has plans that afternoon.”
“Do you think he has a date?”
Her smile instantly fell and it felt like she’d been kicked in the gut. “Why would you even say that? I didn’t think it before but I am now! Jeez, Crystal! Way to bum me out!”
“I’m sorry! It just slipped out!”
“Well, stop it! Ugh…”
This time, she angrily typed her text.
Holly: That would be fine. I wouldn’t want to disturb any of your plans. Just tell me when you’re leaving and I will get there before you go.
Pushing her phone away, she looked up at Crystal again. “Can you text Henry and confirm that this weekend works?”
