Page 80 of Just Add Mistletoe

“Is that why you bought her a gift?”

Lori smiled. “I saw it and knew it would be perfect for her.” She lifted a shoulder, then slipped her arms about his neck. “But a little appreciation always goes a long way.”

“Mm-hmm.” Malcom bent to kiss her.

She wished they could enjoy kissing a little more. But his parents were only steps away.

“Come on, let’s get to work,” she said, with a playful push to his chest. In a short time, she and Malcom had the leftovers packed away and the table cleared.

“Oh, by the way,” he said, snagging her hand as they crossed paths. “Bronson’s wife is two months pregnant, and Penny’s engaged to one of her exes. Not sure which one.”

Lori stared at him. “Wow. Those are both big things.”

“Yeah, really big.” Malcom ran a thumb over her fingers, which were still intertwined with his. “And it’s good news for me, for us. Maybe Bronson will finally take more responsibility in life, and well, good riddance to Penny.”

Lori smirked. “Are you going to miss being the obsession of another woman?”

He shook his head. “I don’t mind beingyourobsession.”

She lifted her brows. “You’ll never be able to prove it.” She might be playing hardball with him, but she pressed a kiss on his mouth, so maybe not at all.

“I need to tell you one more thing, though.”

“You’re making my head spin, Mr. Graves.”

He ran his free hand along her neck, then rested it on her shoulder. “I hope it’s in a good way, but I told my parents something. And I should have told you first.”

Lori waited, expectant.

He drew in a steadying breath and scanned her face. “I told them that I’m in love with you.”

Had he really said . . .Lori didn’t move, didn’t speak.

“I’ve known it for a while,” he continued in a low rumble. “Maybe when you offered to go with me to Montana to see my father. Or maybe when you agreed to be my fake date.”

“We’d barely met back then,” she said in a quiet voice. She blinked at the sudden moisture in her eyes.

“I can’t exactly define the moment, but it’s here.” He drew her hand to his chest, right over his heart, and she could feel it thumping. “You’re in my heart. And every time I’m with you, it’s like my entire being is filled up. I love you, sweetheart, and I hope that doesn’t scare you away.”

A tear fell onto her cheek, and she swiped it away. Where had this man come from and how had he ended up in her life? She marveled at everything he was. “Look up, Malcom.”

Confusion creased his brow, but he looked up. Above them dangled some mistletoe. In fact, there were multiple bunches of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling, continuing into the living room. “What have you done?” he asked with a laugh, although it sounded like his heart was in his throat.

“I’ve strategically placed mistletoe throughout the house so there will be no shortage of kissing . . . you.”

“Hmm,” he murmured, his gaze back on her. “So I haven’t scared you off? You’re giving me a lot of hope, and I like all of your ideas.”

Lori moved her fingers along the base of his neck, making goose bumps spread across his skin.

“I kind of wish my parents would leave now,” he whispered. “I’d rather have you all to myself. After the hot chocolate event, of course.”

“They can’t leave until I win them over,” she said, her tone mostly serious.

“I told you their opinion doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “They already know how I feel about you, and they’ll have to get used to it.”

She melted a little at his words and anchored her arms about his neck. She should tell him. He deserved to know. “It’s important to me, Malcom, because I love you too.”

He stared at her for a moment. His eyes focused on her, steady and true. “Really?” he whispered.

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