Page 48 of The Christmas Romance Wish

“Depends on who you ask.” She taps her chin. Then, as if singing a melody, she links in a few lines from the Christmas hit, “Santa Baby.”

“A convertible? A yacht? Something from Tiffany’s?” My grandmother’s favorite movie comes to mind along with one of the main things Tiffany’s is known for selling.

Much like Emmie, it sparkles...and like mentioned in the song, it’s often made of platinum.

Emmie reminds me a lot of the actress Audrey Hepburn who plays the leading role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, except my girl has longerhair and is more confident.

Once more, our eyes lock and in addition to the heat radiating between us, a silent question seems to hover, linger, and begs to be spoken aloud.

“Oh by golly,” I whisper.

“Fa la la la,” she replies.

Amusement on my lips and with her eyes crinkling at the corners, we both burst into laughter.

Her ringing phone breaks into our hysterics.

“It’s my brother Ryan. I’d better take it.” She answers on speakerphone.

“Ho, ho, ho, hooray. I hear you’re coming down to visit your beloved bros, but not until New Year’s. I was hoping Santa would throw you down the chimney and put you under the tree.”

“That sounds violently unpleasant. I was trying to get there sooner, but the bad weather is messing up flights.”

I have to admit, she doesn’t look too put out about it. I’d like to think it has something to do with me but don’t get the sense she has an “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” situation.

“We want to get you home, Emmie. Can we book you out on Wednesday?”

“Ry, I can handle it. Don’t worry. I’ll be there on New Year’s.”

“Fine, but make it a promise.”

She rolls her eyes.

“Emmie...”

“Fine. Pinky-promise-saurus.”

“Good. Did you know that Luke calls CJ Uncle Dino?”

“He gets to be Uncle Dinosaur? I called dino dibs. That’s so not fair.”

“You snooze, you lose.”

“Is that like dino-snore?”

Ryan chuckles. “Luke can call you Auntie M like from Wizard of Oz.”

“You’re well aware that movie gave me nightmares.”

“How are you sleeping? Eating? Do you have everything youneed? Are you safe? Do I need to run a wellness check or come out there myself and drown someone in a milkshake?”

“No, and we settled this. Milkshakes are only good for one thing.”

“Yeah, yeah. They’re good for drinking. But Mark Slawkowski had that coming.”

“He was hardly even wearing flirting training wheels. More like riding a tricycle.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t like the way he was looking at you.”

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