Page 64 of Just Add Mistletoe

After hanging up with her mom, she texted her friend group about Malcom moving in. She wanted to pay back some of his kind deeds.Moving party tonight for those who can make it. Malcom’s going to rent my parents’ house. I’ll order some pizzas.

What???Brandy wrote back.You’re kidding me! Let me pick up my jaw off the floor.

It’s just practical. Austin suggested it,Lori said.No need to flip out.

Brandy sent a GIF of a gymnast doing a floor routine.

My husband’s a genius, Everly wrote, adding heart eyes.

Cal and I will be there,Stephenie texted.Can’t wait.

I’ll find a sitter,Julie wrote.Should be fun.

Thanks, everyone,Lori added.I’ll let you know the exact time when it gets closer.

She set down her phone and climbed up on the stepladder. As she began to tape the edge of the kitchen cupboards with painter’s tape, she felt, for the first time in a long time, she was not a third wheel—or a fifth wheel. She was looking forward to everyone hanging out together, everyone helping Malcom, aman who was becoming more and more important to her. And she didn’t mind who knew it.

IT WAS TRUE THAT MANY hands made light work. Malcom was pretty sure his moving stint had broken all moving records in history. He stood in one of the back bedrooms, surveying the work.

The bed was set up, and his desk. He’d brought over the furniture he’d collected over the years—even though nothing really matched. He’d worry about that stuff when he had a more permanent place one day. In a corner sat a stack of boxes that he’d dumped all the files in—out of order for now. He still didn’t know the extent of the damage from the break-in the other night.

For now, he could live here and get his business up and running.

“Are you hungry?” Lori asked, coming into the room.

When the pizza was delivered, everyone had congregated in the kitchen, where conversation and laughter came from now. But Malcom wanted to finish stacking the file boxes.

He looked over at her. She wore a T-shirt that saidBe Thankful, and well-worn jeans. He was impressed how she gathered all her friends to help him move. It wasn’t a big job or hard job, but he appreciated the help and support.

“I am hungry,” he said.

Lori smiled that beautiful smile of hers. “Then what are you waiting for? Come and eat.”

Malcom walked toward her. “I was just appreciating how my girlfriend is taking care of me.”

Her brows lifted. “Oh, I’m your girlfriend now?”

“If you want to be.” He stopped right in front of her, nearly toe to toe.

She looped her arms about his neck. “Let’s see how this dating thing goes first.”

“You’re already messing with my heart,” he said close to her ear as he settled his hands about her waist.

“Hmm,” she murmured, her warm breath a flutter against his skin. “What are your plans for Thanksgiving?”

This surprised him, and he drew back. Thanksgiving was coming up, but it had been the last thing on his mind, despite thinking of the holiday every time he saw Lori.

“I think I’ve been uninvited to my brother’s, and you couldn’t pay me to go to my mom’s—uh, my parents’.”

Lori moved her fingers into his hair. “Well, I have a backup plan if you need it.”

“I need it.”

Her mouth lifted into a smile, and he was about to kiss her when she said, “Come with me to Florida. My mom is dying to meet you. My dad too, although he won’t admit it. You could talk about tools together.”

Malcom smirked. “Tools? I’m sure that will take at least a whole day’s conversation.”

“It is what it is,” she said with a shrug.

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