Page 82 of My December Darling

I cringe at the icy blue dress and all the wrinkles. The moment my parents see me returning to the house dressed like this, they’ll know all about how I spent the rest of my night.

Shit.

Luke stretches across the mattress. “I bet your sister has some clothes stashed in Aiden’s room.”

“Oh my God. You’re a genius!” I kiss his stubbled cheek before texting my sister in a rush to ask if she has anything I can borrow. Surprisingly, she answers right away.

Gabriela

YOU STAYED OVER?

Me

Yes.

Gabriela

Oh my God. You need to tell me everything!

Me

Can it wait until later?

Gabriela

Are you kidding? I’ve been waiting for this.

Me

That doesn’t sound creepy whatsoever.

Gabriela

You know I’m a romantic.

Me

Yeah, a hopeless one who is looking too much into this.

The text feels like a lie, but I’m not about to get my sister’s hopes up over something I’m still uncertain about.

Thankfully, Gabriela only follows up with an eye roll emoji before letting me know where to find her spare clothes.

Me

You’re a lifesaver!

Gabriela

I expect a full report while we get ready for the New Year’s Eve party.

I ignore her text and hop in the guest shower, scrubbing my skin with a soap that smells exactly like Luke before throwing on a sweater and a pair of jeans my sister left here. Her boots are a little tight, but I’d rather wear them than my heels from last night.

When I walk out of the bathroom, I find Luke sitting at the breakfast nook, sipping on his coffee while scrolling through his phone. He looks up, and our eyes lock before a shiver skates down my spine.

“Keep looking at me like that and I’m taking you back to bed.”

I all but skip over to the table and take a seat beside him. “Thanks for this,” I say before taking a sip of the coffee he made me.

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