Page 30 of Just Add Mistletoe

Malcom just gazed at her for a few more seconds, not saying anything.

It wasn’t fair that he was so effortlessly handsome. His hazel eyes were mostly brown tonight, and dark stubble peppered his chin and jaw. Lori couldn’t really blame Penny for her obsession with him.

“Maybe we could hang out sometime,withoutmy family as an audience,” Malcom said.

Lori’s heart thumped. “What did you have in mind?”

“You need to screen it beforehand?” he asked, his dimples appearing.

It wasn’t lost on her that she was still standing in his arms as the dancers moved around them. Both of his hands were at her waist as she rested her hands on his biceps. “Prescreening is a must for me.”

“Fair enough, I’ll come up with something you won’t be able to turn down.”

He released her then and slid a hand into hers. They walked back to the table to say their goodbyes, and Lori felt like she was walking an inch above the ground. Had Malcom just asked her out? Malcom had asked her out. Officially. Yeah, as friends, but there would be no trying to act fake around anyone.

Before they left the table, Penny said, “It was nice meeting you, Lori. Probably won’t see you again, so good luck with your little shop.”

Lori could only hope she wouldn’t see Penny again, but that would mean that she wouldn’t be around Malcom much, so she didn’t want to hope for that. “Good luck to you too,” she said with a wide smile.

Confusion marred Penny’s eyes, but her smile turned Cheshire.

Lori had never felt the need to compete over a man until tonight. It was ridiculous really, but Penny was bringing out the ridiculous in her. And Lori didn’t even know the woman, not really. Thankfully, they were leaving, and she could have Malcom all to herself. Well, not likethat,but just being away from Penny would be great. For his sake, of course.

As they waited outside for the valet to bring Malcom’s truck, she thought he’d release her hand. But he didn’t, and Lori found that she didn’t mind.

Might as well see it through to the very end.

Again, he helped her into the truck, then he shrugged out of his jacket and set it in the back seat before he climbed into the driver’s side.

Lori slipped off her shoes to give her toes a break. “Do you think Penny bought it?”

Malcom pulled out of the parking lot. “I don’t see how she couldn’t. I mean, you’re pretty fabulous, and I think I did a decent job too.”

Lori laughed, even though a tiny part inside of her was aching. “You were fabulous too. Is she always so nasty, or was it just special treatment to me?”

“She’s very . . . clingy toward me,” Malcom said. “But I’ve never brought another woman around her, so this was a first.”

“Hmm.”

“But I believe we were convincing. Not only to Penny, but to my brother. He’s already texted me, asking if we’re serious.”

“In only a couple of weeks?” Lori asked, surprised.

“He means . . . well, he’s asking if we’re sleeping together in not so many words.”

“Oh.” Lori bit her lip. “That’s kind of bold—even for a brother to ask. Did you tell him it’s none of his business?”

“I’m not answering, period.” Malcom reached for her hand. “I’d never confess that sort of thing to him anyway. And even if this were a real date, I wouldn’t want to mess things up by racing to the finish line.”

Lori looked down at his hand holding hers. “Is that what the kids are calling it now?”

Malcom laughed and squeezed her hand. It felt like a squeeze to her heart.

“Your stepbrother seems nice enough, but I got kind of a strange vibe from him.”

“What’s that?” His voice was filled with worry.

“Like he’s competing with you,” Lori said. “I’m probably reading into things, just because of your concerns. So that might have biased me.”

---