Page 21 of Just Add Mistletoe

“Sorry I’ve been kind of a stranger,” he said, moving toward the counter where she stood. His navy ball cap hooded his hazel eyes. Everything else was his usual attire—T-shirt, well-worn jeans, and boots. “I mean, you’ve been a stranger too.”

Why was her pulse jumping about? And they were strangers—mostly. They’d had a few conversations, but she didn’t expect them to continue. She didn’t think they’d start hanging out or anything. “I’ve been busy, and I’m guessing you’ve been swamped.”

“Yeah.” He looked about the store again, and she almost laughed.

“I mean, I’m not busy at this exact moment,” Lori clarified. “But there’s always something to organize or restock. Plus, in about twenty minutes, this place will be crawling with teenagers.”

Malcom leaned a hand on the counter between them. “Oh, I believe you. I came at this time on purpose.”

She raised her brows at this. “Because you knew it was the dead hour?”

“I can be observant sometimes.” His voice was a low rumble, and her pulse leapt again. His gaze shifted from her face to her clothing. “I like your shirt.”

Lori looked down, even though she knew which shirt she wore:I’m Only a Witch in the Mornings.

“And your earrings,” he added.

She smiled and touched the miniature black-and-purple witch hats. “They match the shirt.”

His gaze roamed her face, and something in his eyes told her he approved. His scrutiny made her pulse jump. Soon, she’d be blushing.

“Have you been painting?” he asked.

How can he tell?Then Lori saw the paint streaks on her left wrist. “Oh.” She rubbed at it, making the paint flecks fall off. “Yeah. I was painting my old bedroom at my parents’ house. Decided to go with one color for the whole house—you know, instead of the green in my parents’ bedroom, the pink in my room, and the yellow in the kitchen.”

Malcom smiled, which showed off his dimples. “Color brings personality to the house.”

“Yeah, tell that to a real estate agent.”

He folded his arms. “You know, I could help out. Painting, or whatever else.”

The thought of asking him to hook up the new light fixture crossed her mind, but she shook it away. He was swamped with his own job. “In all your spare time?”

He winced. “Yeah, you and me both.”

Lori set a hand on her hip. “So, can I help you find anything? Want to decorate your trailer? Pick up some candy for trick-or-treaters?”

“No . . .” He glanced around again, then licked his lips.

Was he . . . nervous?

When his gaze landed on hers, she had the sudden urge to push up the brim of his ball cap to better see his eyes.

“I wanted to ask . . .” He exhaled. “To ask if you’re available tomorrow night to go to a gala thing with me. It wouldn’t be a date. I mean, you would be my date, but not like a date-date.”

Lori stared at him. What was he talking about? “What kind of gala?”

“Oh. Yeah.” He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Our company is getting some industry award and, uh, we’re all going. Me, my brother and his wife, and her sister Penny. I thought . . .”

Lori waited.

He cleared his throat. “Sorry. This is kind of awkward and embarrassing, but Penny is, um, very assertive in her interest toward me. Bronson thinks it’s all a riot, so he’s no help. If I show up without a date to this gala, and there’s drinking and dancing . . .” His voice trailed off again.

“Penny will be all over you?”

His face flushed, and Lori wanted to laugh. She didn’t though. She’d never imagined that this sturdy, confident man could be cowed by a flirtatious sister-in-law.

Lori folded her arms. “Why don’t you just tell her you’re not interested?”

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