Page 29 of No Time for Traditions

“Okay.” Greg busied himself with his knot of lights. He didn’t want to get in the way of her family time, but at least he knew she’d be there.

“Why do you ask?” Brittany put down her set of lights and sat beside him.

Greg cut his eyes her way and then back down at the ball of lights. He licked his lips, as his mouth had gone dry. “I was going to see if maybe you wanted to go with me.”

“Oh.” After an awkward silence, Brittany continued, “Like a date?”

Greg lifted his head and met her eyes. “If that’s what you want?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Greg internally kicked himself. The last thing he wanted was to scare her away and undo any progress he’d made. So far, it had been much easier to unravel the lights than Brittany’s affections.

Brittany blinked and parted her lips. Greg fixated on her mouth. He really wanted to kiss her but didn’t want to rush things. The moment had to feel right for her, too.

“Why don’t you pick me up at five, and we’ll see how the night goes.” Brittany pressed her lips shut, and her cheeks reddened.

“Sounds like a good plan to me.” Greg smiled, content with that answer. Then he harnessed his excitement and used it to untangle those stupid lights.

* * *

Brittany jerkedoff her sweater and rummaged through her clothing once more. She put on a button-up flannel shirt with leather patches on the elbows and turned in front of the mirror. The red buffalo plaid felt festive, the flannel meant Greg would like it, and the leather patches satisfied her New York fashion sense. And it only took five changes to achieve this goal.

She smoothed out the shirt and started on her hair and makeup. Using a mascara wand was more cumbersome than ever. Her fingers refused to cooperate. Brittany’s stomach swirled as she fought to control her movements. If someone had told her a week ago that she would go on a date with Greg Tucker, she would’ve laughed. And yes, this was a date. Greg might not know it yet, but she did. She’d merely acted clueless last night to get a straight answer of his intentions. Against every sane cell in her body, she wanted very much to be with Greg. After days of internal struggles, her heart had won over her mind.

Brittany took a deep breath and shook out her arms. Then, she steadied her hand and completed her eye makeup before curling her hair. She glanced down at her phone. Knowing Greg would get here any minute sent a new surge of shivers through her nerves.

She’d like to think it was first date jitters. But it was more than that, and she knew it. She’d gone on plenty of dates before she’d gotten her last promotion. And New York had an abundance of handsome, well-off bachelors. Yet none of them made her melt the way Greg did. Even in camouflage coveralls and muddy boots, she found him more attractive than any man in an Armani suit.

After curling the last strand, Brittany took her fingers and smoothed through her long, brown hair, letting it fall in gentle waves. She rubbed her lips together and looked in the mirror. Other than Sunday morning church, she hadn’t put this much effort into her looks all week. Maybe Greg would appreciate the change from leggings and ponytails.

Brittany took one more deep breath and made her way downstairs. Halfway down, she heard a whistle.

“Well, don’t you look lovely.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

Scott and Scotty sat in the living room watching one of those reality shows where people competed to decorate with the most holiday lights.

“Say Say should be on this show.” Scotty turned back to Marty and grinned.

“Don’t tell her that. I’ll have to spend all my time on the roof next year.”

Scott and Brittany laughed.

“We’re just waiting on your mother, and then we’ll be ready to go.”

“Actually—”

As if right on cue, the doorbell rang. Brittany held up her index finger and walked toward the door. Greg’s face lit up as soon as she opened it.

“Hi.” Brittany smiled, pleased to see excitement in his eyes.

His hair was combed, and he smelled like cologne, rather than pine trees and winter air. A clean but very masculine scent. Fitting for Greg.

Brittany grabbed her purse and coat from the entryway table. “I’ll see you guys at the event.” She halfway glanced over her shoulder as she called out to whomever was still in the living room. Then she walked out, shutting the door behind her.

“I could’ve come in. We’re not in a hurry.”

Brittany shook her head. “You know everybody. Besides, it’s not like I need permission to go on a date at my age.”

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