Page 8 of Fake Christmas Date
Oh wow. Dylan strikes me as a meat-and-potatoes, straightforward, no-nonsense kind of guy. Hearing that he’s sentimental for his hometown is adorable.
We straighten up for the descent, as I review all the names and details I've learned about his family on the flight. His parents, Miriam and Mark. His brother Josh and his new wife Sadie, who got married just before Christmas last year. They sound lovely, but their wedding has increased the pressure on Dylan to start seeing someone.
There are various assorted aunts and uncles and cousins too, who are all jumbled in my mind. He doesn’t seem concerned about that, though. Apparently my job is simply to let Dylan's mother think we've been dating a while and that there’s potential of a future together, but also to make it clear that we’re in no rush. I’ll dance with him at the so-called “Christmas Eve Eve Ball”, and that will keep well-meaning family and friends out of his business for at least a year.
Sounds like a pretty straightforward assignment. I’m actually looking forward to it, since I can't remember the last time I've had a truly festive holiday. Plus, this is my first time flying first class. I feel like I'm floating as we disembark and collect our luggage.
"Okay," Dylan says as we walk toward the exit. "The elf might be gone by now…" He sighs and his shoulders slump. "Nope. He's still there."
"I'm sorry – the elf?" We approach the main entrance, where there's a giant backdrop painted with Christmas trees and a perky candy mountain. A portly man in a jolly red and green elf costume is busy taking photos.
"Yeah… Couples arriving for the holidays have to get their photo taken by the town elf. Is that okay?"
I'm already laughing. "Sure."
We wait our turn, then do a few silly poses. Standing back to back. Hugging. Pointing at the Christmas tree in outrageous delight.
The elf leans toward Dylan. "Hey, you guys have been fun. Can you give me something cool for my portfolio?"
"Sure."
I gasp and giggle as Dylan scoops me up in his arms, leaning me way back so my hair flies out behind me.
The elf snaps away. "Perfect. Now – how about a kiss?"
My arm is already slung around the back of Dylan's neck. He pulls me to his chest, and when our mouths meet, time freezes. The cameraman is forgotten and everything stops except this incredible overload of sensation. His strong hands underneath me cradle my body as if I weigh nothing at all. There’s an urgency in his kiss as he holds me tight to his chest, making the most of this opportunity, wanting to use any excuse to truly pretend this heat between us has been here a lot longer than twenty-four hours.
My fingers slip into the back of Dylan’s hair, my other hand landing on his shoulder as the kiss deepens, our mouths opening for each other as we lose ourselves in this perfect moment.
"Damn…" the elf drawls, snapping away and finally bringing us back to the real world.
Dylan sets me down, cuddling me in another hug for the camera. Then his head jerks up, staring at the doorway before he suddenly covers my ears.
I can hear the delighted shriek even through his palms. "Dylan! Oh my God, she’sgorgeous!"
The petite blonde woman barreling down on us must be his mother. Her white coat is open, revealing a red and gold sweater underneath. She’s also wearing Christmas tree earrings.
"You can only meet Emma if you promise not to scream, Mom."
She stops in her tracks, narrowing her eyes at Dylan playfully. Then she shoves her son out of the way to hug the daylights out of me.
"I'm so glad you came for the holidays, Emma," she gushes, thankfully at an almost normal volume now. "I’m Miriam. I hope you like cookies. When Dylan told me he was bringing a girl home for the holidays I got so excited that my baking might have gotten a bit out of control."
Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I return her wild grin. "Hey, what's Christmas without cookies? So nice to meet you!"
As I beam at this total stranger, a wave of emotion hits me right in the chest. Is this what having a loving, caring mother feels like? My breath is shaky as I step back, making room so Miriam can launch herself into Dylan's arms.
I roll the suitcases out of the way, thanking the elf as Dylan lifts up his mother and staggers out of the way of the backdrop. "Mom, I told you we were going to grab a cab home."
“Don’t be silly. I had to pop by the market again, so why not meet the plane? Besides, I don't get to drive you around very much anymore."
Miriam’s excitement continues on the ride home. Not to mention, she drives the Jeep as if the snow didn’t even exist. The two of them point out the sights on the way to the house. The entire town is wonderful to behold. Decorations and lights and the most perfect fluffy snow. It's like walking into a holiday card. So perfect it’s almost unreal.
Dylan leans forward from the back seat and murmurs in my ear. "I know it's a lot to take in. Don't worry – we can also do stuff like lounge on the couch and watch a movie with a glass of wine." His tone changes as he turns slightly. "Right, Mom? This is also our vacation, remember."
“Of course, of course." Miriam is still smiling as she pulls into the driveway of a beautiful house festooned with golden holidaylights. "We have plenty of visiting to do, so the house will be all yours here and there."
She turns off the car, then shoots me a look. "Although I'll also have to catch up with Dylan. So much has happened here since he moved to the city, you're going to be bored to tears with all the town gossip."
