Page 31 of Mission: Merry Christmas
She walked back into the living room to find Drew sitting on the floor next to the Christmas tree by himself.
“Did everyone leave?” she asked.
“Yeah. They have a big thing at the resort. We’ll catch up with them tonight. I hope you’ll come with me. Dinner, dancing. They even do fireworks.”
“Sure. That sounds fun.”
“I haven’t been this happy in a long time,” Drew said.
She sat on the floor next to him. Her thoughts did a news-reel version of the day: all their hard work turning the place into a Winter Wonderland.Mission accomplished.“Me either, and I’m glad you’re feeling back to your old self.”
“Better than my old self. Because of you.”
She could feel the heat climb from her chest and neck. “I like you this way. You’re a lot of fun when you’re not cranky.”
“Was I that cranky?”
“Not for long,” she admitted. “I just got off the phone with my folks. Tom delivered one of those crazy baskets to them. I think you’re right. He’s going to try to deliver me to you on a silver platter.”
Drew laced his fingers with hers. “Do I need him to make that happen?”
She looked at him, almost afraid to ask if he was teasing. “He can’t deliver me. I wouldn’t give him the time of day. There’s no amount of money that would persuade me to work for him again, no matter how iron-clad my non-compete is.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Think I could talk you into sticking around here for a while?”
“I have plans on New Year’s Eve at my sister’s house for a party, and then New Year’s Day at Mom and Dad’s.” She hesitated, then went all in. This was someone who’d won her time and attention, and in the process, her heart. She wasn’t going to let him slip away. “If you come with me, then I could stay until then, and come back with you after. I don’t have a job to get back to.”
“I like the sound of that.” Drew leaned over and kissed her. “Maybe you could be my personal sports therapist for the season. You know, just to be sure I don’t get hurt.”
“No.” She shook her head emphatically. “I have a rule about mixing business and pleasure.”
“Rules are meant to be broken.”
“I’ve heard that somewhere before.” She wagged her finger in his direction. “Was it you that said that?”
“I believe so. See how well it worked for me?” He pulled her close.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You do look very happy.” Happiness twirled inside her, too. “Fly to Vermont with me for the New Year’s Eve party at my sister’s.”
“Are you tempting me with a good time?”
Avery didn’t hesitate. “Kiss me at midnight under the mistletoe and you have a deal.”
“We definitely have a deal,” he said.
“I can be your personal trainer for the season...very personal.” Avery waggled her eyebrows playfully.
He kissed her on the forehead, then her nose, and then her lips, where the kiss became long and slow. “Like that?” he said against her lips.
She moaned in agreement. “Yes. Exactly like that.”
“Merry Christmas, Avery. I can’t wait to see what the year ahead looks like, but I know it will be a good one with you by my side.” He took her phone from her hand. “Oh, just one more thing.” He pulled up her contact list and blocked Tom Ware’s phone number. “Now, we’re sure to have a perfect year.”
“I like the way you think.” She hugged him, her forehead against his. “Merry Christmas, Drew.”
“A very Merry Christmas. I have one last present to unwrap,” he said with a playful growl.
“So this is Christmas magic.” Avery settled into his arms. “Merry Christmas to me.”
