Page 6 of Mr. Merry Ex-Mas
“Relax. I've got you. I just needed to hear you scream my name.” He chuckles, then says a little lower, “Again.”
That’s it.
I hold onto the side of the ladder and carefully make my way down, then stomp around and get in his face. My heart is racingas I come face to face with the only man who ever made mefeel, which was fucking scary. I had plans, and Danny dissolved them every time. And when I point my finger in his face and he grabs my hand, lowering it, suddenly I’m back there again.
Back at the winery.
His birthday party that I didn't want to plan but then made sure everything I did that night was perfect. The night with the desserts and the bickering, the kiss that knocked the air right out of my lungs. The moment I let my guard down and let my perfectly planned world tilt on its axis so I could have him close once more.
Don’t.
“Hey,” Danny said, drawing me back to the present. “You okay?”
I blink and force a tight smile. “Just reminding myself I don’t look good in orange.” I pull my hand away and turn my back on him. “And calculating how many more things I have to do before this event so it doesn’t turn into a disaster.”
He claps his hands. “Tell me what to do. I know you love to boss me around. So here I am. Take full advantage.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“It’s what I do best.”
I ignore yet another comment and scan the room. The tables need tablecloths, napkins, and centerpieces. “You were in charge of putting the tablecloths on all the tables and folding the napkins. Please tell me you didn’t turn them into paper airplanes.”
“No planes. Just a classic banana fold. Very formal. You’re rubbing off on me.”
I snort despite myself and catch it too late.
His grin widens. “There it is.”
“There what is?”
“The snort laugh.”
I freeze, slightly embarrassed and slightly delighted. “You remember that?”
His expression softens. “I remember a lot.”
Silence falls between us, the air loaded with things left unsaid. But before words start sneaking out, I turn back to the boxes with the centerpieces.
Don't go there, Sadie. There can be no distractions.
But then Danny steps in close behind me, just enough that I feel his heat. He’s not touching me; he's justthere.He’s close and familiar, and I wish I could just wrap my arms around him.
I shake my head quickly, willing myself to step away from him.
“Let’s finish sorting these decorations,” I mutter. “The mayor’s stopping by tomorrow, and I’d like one thing about this gala to look ready.”
Danny nods, his jaw tight, but he doesn't push. He just picks up a roll of red velvet ribbon and moves to the other side of the room.
And me?
I hate how much I want to follow him.
5
SADIE
“You need a drink.”
