Page 49 of Just Add Mistletoe

Her mind spun. Would Malcom leave Everly Falls, then? “What are your plans?” she asked in a careful voice.

“Good question,” he said. “I’ve set up my LLC. Austin texted me today and wants to meet tomorrow.”

This surprised Lori, but maybe she shouldn’t be. “As an architect, he probably has a lot of connections. Does that mean you’d be staying in Everly Falls?”

“I’ve never been opposed to it.” His gaze held hers for a couple of seconds.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to it either,” she said. “I mean, you already have friends. In fact, we’re doing a dinner tomorrow night at Everly and Austin’s place, and I’m on strict orders to invite you.”

“I could go,” he said, his gaze leveled with hers again. “Do you want me to go?”

“I’m fine with it,” she said with a smirk. “I told everyone that we’re strictly friends.”

“Right, strictly,” he echoed, a bit hollow-sounding. “Do you want a drink or anything?” He stood and moved to the small fridge.

“Water would be great,” she said. “I don’t want to put you out. I should have brought over some dinner. Are you hungry?”

“Not really.” He pulled out a water bottle from the fridge and handed it to her. “I seem to have lost my appetite after talking to my mom, although I did eat one of those cookies you dropped off.”

Lori took a sip of the water. “You talked to your mom too? Is she involved, or was she just concerned?” She winced when she realized how her question sounded.

Malcom leaned against the table, his arms folded. “Well, apparently, she’s separated from her current husband, and my dad is getting a divorce from his wife, and now my parents are back together.”

Lori stared. “What? I don’t get it, I thought you said your mom was finally in a great marriage and . . .” She stopped talking at the sight of the angst on Malcom’s face.

“That’s what I thought too.” He scrubbed a hand through his damp hair. “I’m not sure if I’m more bothered by my parents’ news or my brother’s betrayal. Heck, I feel betrayed by everyone in my family right now.”

“It’s a lot,” Lori said in a quiet voice. Her heart literally hurt for him, and she could only imagine what he must feel like. “Awful, really.” She stood and moved toward Malcom.

He watched her approach, and her heart seemed to tug her closer. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. After a couple of seconds, he pulled her close.

Lori tried not to let herself be distracted by his clean shower scent, or the warmth of his torso, or the strength of his arms about her. She should be the one givinghimstrength. The hug continued, morphing from comfort to feeling intimate. Then she felt tiny pricks on her calf and realized Tiger was climbing up her leg.

“Ow.” She drew away with a laugh and grasped his wriggly body. “You want attention too?”

Malcom took the kitten. “He’s just jealous that you’re hugging me.”

Lori laughed, her stomach feeling tight with nerves. Had the hug been too much? But then Malcom grasped her hand.

“Thanks for coming over,” he said in a soft voice. “I appreciate all you’ve done.”

Lori drew in a thready breath. His fingers were warm, steady, strong. “I’ve done hardly anything. I’m happy to go grab dinner for you.”

“How about we go together and pick up something, then eat at your place? Let Tiger loose?”

And that’s how they ended up sitting on her couch, takeout on the coffee table, with some random comedy show on the television, and Tiger sleeping on Malcom’s chest. When the show ended, Lori turned it off, thinking that Malcom would go home soon.

But they continued to talk for another hour, until both of them started to yawn.

“Looks like you’re spending the night on the couch again,” she said.

“It’s not like I have to get up early to work,” he said in an amused tone. “I have plenty of time to be a cat bed.”

Lori laughed. She loved that Malcom’s mood seemed lighter. They’d talked more about his parents and his childhood while they ate dinner. She could see the pain that the divorce had caused him, and now the confusion of his parents’ relationship. He also let her listen to the voicemails from Penny. His lawyer had told him to save them. The first couple were sickly sweet, then the last one full of threats.

Threats that had no power since Malcom was no longer part of the company.

“My couch is always available,” Lori teased. She reached over to pet the kitten lightly. Malcom grasped her hand and threaded their fingers, making her pulse thrum.

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