Page 8 of Whimsical Ink

At least there’ll be champagne.

3

DANIEL

December 23rd:The bach.

I pull into the driveway and park the car, steeling myself for the imminent interrogation. My sister’s staring out the window, eyes caught on Maddy, rapidly narrowing. Need to stop her before she ruins it all.

Maddy leaves the car and clutches her bag, shifting from foot to foot, looking unsure. Well, I can’t have that.

“Let’s grab the bags.” I wrap an arm around her and tuck her into my side. A whiff of vanilla invades my senses, and I barely stop myself from burying my head in her neck and inhaling.

My arm drops reluctantly when we reach the boot of the car and I open it, using it to cover us from Emma’s piercing glare.

Maddy’s eyes widen when she sees the bags stacked on top of each other crowding the space. “How much do you need for a few days?”

“When we’re celebrating a birthday and Christmas, a lot.”

The front door opens and I duck my head to reach Maddy’s ear. “Okay, follow my lead.”

Emma appears beside the car, brow furrowed, questions brimming in her eyes as she opens her mouth to speak, but I cut her off before she gets a word out.

“Emma! Told you I’d bring her.” I widen my eyes behind Maddy, attempting to signal Emma to play along with me.

Her eyes dart from me to Maddy, and her lips spread in a confused smile. “How are you, Maddy?”

“Good. Fine. How are you?” Her words rush together, but when I wrap an arm around her hips, she pushes closer to me and blows out a slow breath. I can’t help but swirl patterns on her hip.

“I’m good. Glad to be off work.” Her eyes scan us again, taking in the position of my hand and I’m worried about her next comment, but she decides to be neutral. “Are you excited for Christmas?”

“Sure.”

Emma snorts. “You’ve blown me away with your enthusiasm.”

“It’s her birthday tomorrow and I’m forcing her to celebrate it by dragging her here.”

“By kidnapping me,” Maddy responds.

“It wasn’t kidnapping.”

“Coercing me into your car and telling me you’re taking me home and then driving here against my will isn’t kidnapping?”

“No. It’s for your own good.”

“How is that not kidnapping?” Emma tilts her head towards Maddy. “Blink twice if you need help.”

“She was going to work on her birthday and didn’t have anyone to celebrate with.”

Emma winces. “That is bad. Why were you going to work?”

“My brother’s overseas, so I figured why not?”

“That’s depressing. Well, kidnapping or not, it’s time to relax. Are there groceries in there?” Emma asks.

“Yep.” I hand chilled bags to Emma and grab the rest before Maddy can take them.

She waits until Emma’s inside before rounding on me. “I can’t believe you have my rucksack. How did you pull this off?”

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