Page 67 of Just Add Mistletoe

“Hot chocolate?” he murmured.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Are you packed?”

She turned in his arms. “I am. Did you bring a book?”

“For what?” he teased.

They’d already discussed this more than once. “I’m canceling your ticket if you didn’t bring a book.”

He drew her closer, and she breathed in his clean shower scent. “They don’t let other passengers cancel each other’s tickets.”

She scrunched up her nose. “There’s a first time for everything.”

He chuckled. Then he moved a hand to cradle her face. “I brought a book, and I know you’re going to love it.”

“Is it from my list?” She’d told him in order to take a real vacation, he needed to relax and read a book. So they’d decided—well, she’d decided, and he’d agreed—that they’d pick out a book for each other and bring it. They’d reveal their book gifts on the plane. She wasn’t taking any chances, though, and gave him her wish list.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Malcom said.

Lori frowned. “That doesn’t sound promising. I vote that if I don’t like the book you got me, then we’re going to switch.”

“You mean you haven’t already read the book you bought me?”

She bit her lip. “I have, but . . .”

Malcom pressed a kiss at the edge of her mouth, his gaze full of amusement. “You’d rather reread a book than trust my judgment?”

She hooked her hands behind his neck and rose up on her toes to kiss him. She wondered if there was anything better thankissing this man in the morning. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

The sound of a construction truck rumbled on the other side of the window. “They’re starting early,” she said. “Are you sure you can leave everything? You just got everything back on track.”

“Thanksgiving only comes once a year,” Malcom said. “Besides, some of my employees want the extra hours. Otherwise, I’d shut down for the entire holiday.”

“You’re a good boss,” she said, just as Tiger rubbed against their legs, giving a pitiful meow. One that said he’d been neglected far too long.

Malcom released her and bent to pick up the kitten. “The question is: Can you leave this little guy for so long?”

Lori took Tiger in her arms and kissed the top of his furry head. “Marci will take good care of him, and she promised to send me pictures every day.”

Malcom shook his head, looking amused again. “As long as you’re not video chatting with a cat.”

Lori shrugged. “That might happen.”

“Are you serious?”

She turned Tiger toward him. “Just look at this cute face. You have to admit, you’re going to miss him too.”

“Maybe a little, but I really don’t need photos from Marci or any video chats.”

Lori just smiled. “All right. You do you.” She set Tiger down and moved to the table. “What did you bring me?”

“Bagels—hope that’s not boring.”

“Food is never boring.”

As they sat to eat, Lori pushed back the nerves that kept trying to rise. She was excited that Malcom was coming with her to Florida for Thanksgiving. To meet her parents. Yeah, it was definitely a first for her—bringing home a man, so to speak. Though everything was going well with him, better than shehad expected or could have ever dreamed, she kept waiting for something to turn her off. Or for him to lose interest. But neither had happened.

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