Page 60 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
‘You look amazing.’ He bent and placed the lightest of kisses on my cheek as a small smile began to tug at one corner of his mouth. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a dress before.’
‘It’s not really my thing.’ My hands went to smooth the skirt again, unnecessarily.
Cal caught my hand, stopping the nervousmotion. ‘It really should be. You look stunning!’
I fiddled with my bag for a moment, keeping my eyes lowered. However much I wanted to be like Giselle and laugh prettily, accepting the compliment with the grace it deserved, I had no idea how to do that.
‘It really is cute when you blush.’ Cal’s voice was low and close to me.
I twiddled the chain of my bag. ‘It’d be easier on both of us ifyou’d stop saying things like that.’
‘I know.’
Even without looking I could hear the teasing smile in his voice.
‘OK. I apologise for making you blush but I don’t apologise for the compliment. Expect more.’
I risked a glance up to find him smiling down at me, warmth – and possibly something else I wasn’t going to even think about right now – dancing in those storm-grey eyes.
‘Let me get youa drink.’
‘I have one, thank you.’
‘You do?’
‘Yes. I got here a little early. I didn’t know what you might want so I didn’t get yours I’m afraid … and now I feel really rude. Oh God, I’m bad at this. I’m used to getting rounds in.’
Cal chuckled. ‘I love your femininity.’
I clonked him on the arm with my feminine bag.
‘Anyway, you’re not supposed to get mine. I’m supposed to get them.’
‘You do know what year it is, don’t you? A woman can buy a man a drink.’
‘I know, I know. I didn’t mean it like that.’ He rubbed a hand over his freshly shaven jaw.
‘Besides, this isn’t a date anyway.’ I fiddled with the straw in my drink for a moment. ‘Is it?
Cal didn’t answer.
‘I’d rather you just be yourself,’ I said, feeling the need to fill the silence between us.
Cal gave me a long look.‘Good advice.’ He lifted the non-alcoholic beer he’d ordered from the bar and raised a quizzical brow. ‘I’m not sure why, but you seem nervous tonight. More so than you did the other night.’ He bent close to me. ‘Don’t worry. I promise I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to.’ The uninvited thoughts of where that statement took me caused another rush of heat to my chest and face. ‘Isaid friends, and I meant it. So perhaps we should both just be ourselves?’ he finished.
I took a sip. ‘In that case, I need to nip home and put my jeans on.’
Cal grinned. ‘Don’t you dare! I love this look. I’m making the most of it.’
‘That might be a good idea because it’s unlikely you’ll see it again for a while.’
He slanted his eyes towards me. ‘You decided to take the job.’
‘What? No… I … I mean. Yes, I probably will but that’s not what I meant about the dress. I just don’t tend to wear them very often.’
‘Maybe you should.’ Cal held me in that gaze again and the hint of a smile teased the corners of his mouth. ‘Maybe you should try something different. You might find it suits you.’
With some effort, I broke the gaze. ‘The last time I tried something different it didn’tend well, so I think probably I’m just best at sticking with what I know.’
