Page 68 of Snow Balled

“Yes, I can. It’s kind of one of my specialties.” Carter winked at me, and I giggled.

“Uh-oh,” Tristan said, looking me over. “How much have you had to drink?”

“A glass and a half. Why?”

“Because you’re supposed to be offended by my colleague here when he’s like that, not laughing with him.”

“At him,” Drew corrected.

“No, it was with him,” I said. When the others looked skeptical, I shrugged. “He made me a good meal. And it was funny. What more can I say?”

“Clearly your pasta does make ladies melt,” Drew muttered.

“Told you,” Carter said smugly.

I couldn’t help grinning. We were all being silly, like we had been during the snowball fight, but the conversation was slightly more adult. Plus, we all looked way better. This was fun.

“So what’s next on our date-night agenda?”

Carter’s gaze fell on the pine-sprig centerpiece. “Judging by Tristan’s decorations, I’d say opening presents under the tree.”

Tristan elbowed Carter, and that got me giggling again.

“I guess, unfortunately, dishes come next,” Drew said. “But not for Carter, he cooked.”

“Date-night dishes don’t get done until the next morning,” Carter said, as if quoting local law.

“I like these rules,” I said.

“I’ve got more,” Carter began, but Tristan cut him off.

“No, you don’t.”

Drew was watching the two of them bicker with as much amusement as I was. “Shall we go into the other room?”

“The little one with the washer and dryer?” I asked, still laughing.

Drew shook his head. “What happened to the shy young woman who wouldn’t say more than two words in a row to us when she first arrived?”

“She gets to show her screenplay to a world-famous director,” I said immediately.

“Damn straight, she does.” Carter stood and offered me a hand. “Let’s go sit by the fire.”

I put my hand in his and he pulled me easily to my feet. With the high-heeled strappy sandals that went with the dress, I was taller than usual, but Carter still made me feel tiny. He put his arm around my waist, and we walked into the main room. I hesitated when he led me around to the sofa.

“What’s wrong?” His arched eyebrow was sexy as hell.

“If we sit there, we’re just going to light a fire and watch a movie, same as other nights.”

“There are other things people can do on a sofa,” Carter said in a soft and seductive voice, but Drew heard him anyway.

“She’s aware of that.”

My cheeks heated, but instead of retreating in embarrassment, I just smiled. “I just want tonight to be different.”

Tristan came up on my other side. “I think you mean special.”

“Exactly.”

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