Page 12 of In Stockings
I nod with a huge smile on my face. “That’s so cute. Although I’d have to dispute the size of my nose. Is it really that big?”
“No, you have a cute nose.”
My eyes leap to his and then back to the card. I open it and read inside. The handwriting is big, with some of the letters back-to-front.
To TwinkleToes.
Pleas cum to our Christmas party. My daddies really lik you.
Love
Lyra
“Oh,”I say, my gaze leaping from the words to Craig’s face. “I … is this …”
Puzzlement floods across the alpha’s face.
“Oh shit! What does it say?” He attempts to snatch it from my fingers. “I didn’t check. She thrust it at me as I was rushing out the door.”
“It’s nothing. Just …”
“Read it to me.”
I cough, my cheeks so hot you could fry an egg on them. I read the words.
There’s a long pause in which the only thing I can hear is my heart pounding in my ears.
“You’re very welcome to come, Astrid, if you’d like.”
Pity. What every woman dreams of from a hot guy. Urgh!
“Oh God, no, I wouldn’t want to intrude on your family time, and I have plans –”
“I haven’t said when it is.” He shifts the unicorn box from one arm to the other. “Lyra obviously has a girl crush on you. She’ll be devastated if you don’t come.”
I frown at him. “Do you always use your daughter to emotionally blackmail poor defenceless women?”
“Only the ones I like.”
My heart flips right over in my chest, and for a moment, I think I might actually faint straight to the floor.
“When is it? The party.”
“Friday night. Here, give me your number,” he says, pulling out his phone. “And I’ll text you the address.”
I rattle it off, and he inputs it into his phone. “Bring something to hang on the tree,” he says as he slides his phone back into his pocket. “We’re going to decorate it. And,” he winks at me, “adorable elf costumes are completely optional but encouraged.”
My jaw drops open as I watch him walk away.
Did I just get played? Was that a set-up?
* * *
The restof the week drags because I’m an overly excited and horny mess.
On Wednesday I buy a new outfit. A slinky black dress with heels.
On Thursday, I take it back.
