Page 88 of Holiday Hopefuls
Callie frowns, glancing down at her attire. “You’re an idiot.”
“I meant him.” Her brother nods in my direction.
Plastering on the fakest smile, I salute the biggest prick in the Rutherford family. And that’s saying something. “Good morning to you too, man.”
Casting a quick look my way, Callie swings her gaze back to him. “Chris, have you ever seen a naked person? Because that is clearly not what’s happening here,” she says, motioning to me.
Chris rolls his eyes. “Whatever. Mom wants to know if you’ll help with the cinnamon rolls this year since Imogene nearly burned the kitchen down last time.”
My love rears back. “Really?”
“For breakfast?” I ask, brow furrowing. “Those take hours to make from scratch.”
Callie sends a warm smile my way. “Whoever’s the designated baker of the holiday works on them throughout the day while everyone else is out, then we have them while we sit around the tree and thaw out from spending all morning in the snow.”
Unable to help myself, I grin at my girlfriend. “Now that sounds like a tradition I can get behind.”
Callie lifts a brow. “You won’t miss skiing or making snow angels?”
In a few short strides, I’m across the room and wrapping my arms around her. Placing a kiss on her temple, I say into her hair, “I’m not a big fan of the snow. Besides, if I do feel the need to be senselessly cold, you and I can just warm up together, later.”
Chris looks ready to vomit as Callie giggles. “Right, well. Everyone else is already up and out the door, which means you’re already late. So I’d move it, if I were you.” With that, Chris turns and stalks back down the hall as Callie closes the door behind him.
As soon as the door clicks into place, I ask, “Dr. Hotness?”
Callie groans. “Trust me, you do not want to know.”
“Oh, I really think I do.”
She sends me a side-eye that would make Nacho proud.
Lifting my brow in response, I fight to keep my amusement from showing.
Tapping a finger to her chin, Callie weighs something in her mind. The moment she decides is clear as day. Her lips curl up into a mischievous smile. “You know, I think I’ll keep that one to myself. But thanks for the offer.” With that, she turns to the suitcase lying open on the floor.
Shaking my head, I make quick work of grabbing some khakis and a sweater that happens to be Callie’s favorite color. As I head toward the bathroom, a moment of bravery shows itself. “Cal?”
Sitting on the bed, she glances up from the middle of slipping on her shoes. “Yeah?”
I know what’s supposed to come out, but instead I ask, “Do you know how to bake cinnamon rolls?”
Callie bites her bottom lip, shaking her head. “Nope. That’s what the recipe book is for,” she laughs. “Cooking, I can do. Baking, not so much.” Narrowing her eyes, she looks across the small space to me. “Luckily, I have a boyfriend who’s pretty awesome in the baking department.”
“I’d be happy to help.” Not that I could deny this woman anything at this point. “In fact, I’d prefer it.”
“Believe me,” she laughs, “my entire family would enjoy whatever you’ll make more than anything I could produce.” Callie turns back to find her other shoe.
Pressing my lips into a flat line, I try again. “Callie? One more thing.”
“What’s up?” Curiosity coats every flawless feature as she takes me in, still clad in my pajamas.
“Um, I’d like to talk later.” The anxiety weaving through my chest loosens as I search those warm, inviting brown eyes. “If that’s okay.”
A small smile lifts her lips. “We can talk now.”
“We need to get downstairs,” I shake my head, “and I don’t really want to rush this conversation.”
“Are you being drafted?”
