Page 53 of The Naughty Or Nice Clause

Witnessing such an intimate moment of grief between them was an honour. Lyla’s heart warmed, knowing they had each other, Kevin and Mason. She never wanted anyone to grieve alone as she had.

A knock on the door interrupted the moment, and Mrs Klaus straightened in her chair and wiped her eyes. “I’m not going to ruin my mascara,” she said, forcing a smile.

“I’ll see who it is,” Lyla said.

“I’ll help you get into your dress, Lou,” Mrs Klaus said while Lyla put down the make-up brush to answer the door. Mason stood on the other side with a box in his hand, secured with a cream bow.

“I have something for you,” he said, looking over her robe-covered body. “Are you wearing my robe?” He looked rather pleased about it.

“Yes – it’s cosy,” she reasoned. “Was there something else?” She stepped closer. “Or are you going to ask me what’s underneath it?”

He raised his eyebrows and smirked. “For such a statement, I could keep you home tonight. We would have the whole house to ourselves.”

Lyla shook her head, trying not to blush. “You could, but you can’t. What do you need?”

“You can’t go tonight without a dress.”

“I’m going to borrow something of Sara’s,” she began, but Mason thrust the box towards her.

“And why would you have to wear hers when you have your own?” He smiled.

She held it in her arm and made to undo the bow.

“Wait – you can open it with the others. They should get a kick out of it.”

“Please don’t tell me it’s the orange atrocity,” she groaned, though she was still happy he had gone to the trouble of getting her something.

“You’ll have to open it and see, but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised,” he said, stepping towards her.

“I’m intrigued.” She stilled as he gently kissed her cheek.

“I’ll see you tonight,” he said, and she smiled.

“Tonight then.” He was already walking down the hall. “Mason,” she called, and he turned with a slight frown. “Thank you.”

“You haven’t seen it yet,” he pointed out with a grin that made her stomach flip.

“Regardless, thank you.”

Lyla closed the door and put the box on the bed as Mrs Klaus and Lou gathered around her.

“Mason bought you a dress?” Lou said, all astonishment.

Lyla shrugged. “He paid for something while we were in the dress shop, but I figured it was for his own suit, since we didn’t take anything with us.” She caught the glance Mrs Klaus gave her daughter.

“He’s never been one for surprises –not good ones, anyway,” Mrs Klaus said nervously.

“Pranks, on the other hand…” Lou said, and Lyla hesitated, suddenly worried something in the box was about to jump out at her. “I’m only teasing. Open it before I die of old age.”

Lyla undid the bow and pushed it aside. Lifting the lid, she gasped when she saw the beautiful satin dress she had worn in the dress shop.

“It’s beautiful,” Mrs Klaus marvelled. “Who knew my son had such good taste.”

“It’s perfect,” Lyla whispered as she removed the tissue and pulled it from the box. Perfect because it was no longer red, but a deep shade of green.My favourite colour.

“Strange he didn’t pick something red – that’s our family crest colour,” Lou commented, but Lyla brushed a stray tear from beneath her glasses, trying to rid herself of the overwhelming emotions.

“Green is my favourite colour. It was red; he must have had it dyed.” She couldn’t believe he’d remembered such a small detail from her home.

---