Page 41 of The Christmas Cookie Crush

“Tonight!” he crows.

I snort, and everyone else chuckles too. Ignoring him, I refocus on Ty. “It is a good thing,” I tell him. “I appreciate the concern, but I promise this isn’t going to be a disaster.” I look at Sarah, whose brow is wrinkled with concern. “I know,” I tell her. “I get it. I understand why you want to check on me, but I’m good. This is good. Austin’s not like …” I bite my lip, trying to figure out what comparison to make, and in the end I just shrug and let my arms drop to my sides. “He’s not like anyone else I’ve dated. He’s sweet and kind and caring.”

“And really cute,” Olivia puts in. “But not as cute as you,” she adds, wrapping her arm around Ty’s when he gives her a look.

Grinning, I shake my head at their antics. “Well, if everyone’s satisfied, I’m gonna get ready for bed. I know you lazy lot are on vacation, but I have to work tomorrow.”

“Hey!” Sarah protests. “I have to work too!”

“Then you should probably head home soon as well. Night, everyone.”

“Hang on!” Dylan calls after me. “I’m not satisfied.” But whatever he might’ve said never materializes, and I grin because at least my oldest two siblings are satisfied enough to keep Dylan from harassing me. At least for tonight.

Austin

What are you doing tomorrow night?

Spending it with you, I’m guessing?

I know your brothers are both here. Will you be able to get away? Possibly all night?

They’ll survive without me for one night. What did you have in mind?

Riverside Inn has a room available

Book it. Now

What a fantastic thing to wake up to. The knowledge that I’m spending the night with my boyfriend tomorrow has me grinning as I get ready for work. Not even Dylan can dampen my excitement.

“Seriously, Nor,” he grumbles at breakfast, “what’s going on with you and Austin?”

I pause with a half-chewed bite of breakfast burrito in my mouth. Then I glare at my brother. “Why areyoueating a breakfast burrito? You’re not working. You should be in charge of your own breakfast.” Mine is from the stash of meal-prepped burritos in the fridge. If he eats all the prepared breakfasts while he’s here … My eyes narrow involuntarily, already pissed.

He snorts, taking a huge bite. “I am,” he says around his giant mouthful of food, and I can only understand him because I have years of practice of interpreting my disgusting brother’s disgusting habits. “I made it myself.”

I arch an eyebrow and reach for my coffee, slightly mollified. At least he’s not eatingmyfood. Or Mom and Dad’s. “You talk with your mouth full like that around Lydia?” My eyes scan him down and up again, telegraphing how unimpressive I find him. “Because you could not pay me enough to date a man who behaves like you.”

He snorts, finishes chewing, makes a big show of swallowing, then glares at me. “Please. You’ve dated far worse than me.”

Sadly, he’s not wrong. “Yeah, well, after years of living with you, I thought it was normal. Thankfully, now I know better. I won’t make that mistake again.”

Another snort from my oh-so-classy brother.

“You getting a cold?” I ask. “Need a tissue?”

Rolling his eyes, he shakes his head, and I grin as I take another bite. “Back to your dating life,” he says, thankfully swallowing before speaking again.

“I thought we’d moved on from that,” I say. “I don’t want to date disgusting boys anymore. What else is there to say?”

“Please, Nora,” he scoffs. “You act like the guys were the whole problem. What about you? Your favorite pastime in high school was stringing guys along, making them lust after you, then breaking their hearts.”

My anger spikes at his comment, and I force myself to take a deep breath, finishing the last few bites of my burrito before responding, even though it now tastes like sawdust. “Look, Dylan,” I say quietly, staring at my plate and trying to keep my voice as level and calm as I can, “I know you think I’m some ditzy flirt who uses guys like tissues, but I’m really not. Yeah, I dated a lot in high school. And even in college.” I raise my eyes to his. “I like kissing boys. I like going on dates. Neither of those things are crimes. I never pretended to be anyone or anything that I’m not. Ineverled anyone on. I am not responsible for the delusions of hormonal teenage boys. And I’m not that person anymore. I want something real now. And while I get that you don’t like that I’m dating yourformerbest friend”—I place heavy emphasis onformer—“the fact is, he pursued me. So instead of getting your undies in a bunch, maybe talk to him, okay?”

Standing, I gather my dishes, down the rest of my coffee, and leave the room, ignoring my brother’s incoherent spluttering.

Dylan can think what he likes. But I really like Austin. And while I don’t know what the future holds, I’m confident that this relationship is a good thing, no matter what happens in the end.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

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