Page 43 of Holiday Hoax

“Thank you. I’m so glad you could make it today.” He drops his arms.

“I wouldn’t have missed seeing you dressed as Rudolph for a million bucks.”

“What about two million? I could cut a check right now.”

I fake gag. “I can’t be bought, McDuck.”

“McDuck?” Ian asks as he holds open my coat for me.

“It’s my childhood nickname for Ash.” I slide my arms in the sleeves and pull my hair out of the collar. “Scrooge McDuck, like from Ducktales.”

“Nico’s behind it.” Ash rolls his eyes. “She was eight and asked how rich my family was, and he piped in with the reference so she could understand.”

“It’s still accurate,” Nico hollers from the other room. “Because you’re rich and a grump.”

Ian laughs and shakes Ash’s hand. “Thanks for having us.”

Us.

The way the word came from Ian’s lips sounded very much like us meant the two of us together.

Asher eyes flit back and forth between the two of us. “Of course. Happy to host anytime.”

“Did you see that look?” I ask as soon as the elevator starts moving down.

“Yes. Do you think he thinks something is going on now?”

“Probably not.”

“Would it be the worst thing for people we know to know?” He grabs my hand, linking our fingers.

I draw a deep breath and look at him. His expression is vacant, as if he doesn’t want me to read what he wants and have it change my mind. He’s putting the ball in my court, and I respect that so much.

“I kind of like it just being you and me for now.” I look up at him, trying to gauge his reaction to my words, but I don’t get anything beyond a squeeze of my hand before the door opens out into the parking garage.

He leads me to his car and kisses me after opening the door. “I’m happy to move forward whenever and however you want.”

“Do you want me to spend the night?” I ask as he gets in the car.

“Yes,” he gives me a sideways grin. “How is that even a question?”

“Can we stop by my apartment, so I can get ready in the morning at your place?”

“I would love that.” He lifts my hand to his lips, placing a kiss on my knuckles. “Pack enough for the weekend.”

CHAPTER 15

IAN

“Miss Mia is so wonderful,”Marta says as she dusts my office bookshelves. “The best of anyone you’ve dated. She’s very special.”

I look up at her from my laptop. “I think so, too.”

I have to bite back a grin at my housekeeper’s nosiness. It’s very out of the ordinary for her to work in a room I’m in. And while she and I know almost everything there is to know about one another, she doesn’t ever intrude into my personal life. The fact that she is now says a lot.

I have to admit, though, waking up beside Mia two mornings in a row now feels incredible. Seeing her toothbrush and skin care products on my bathroom counter feels good. Actually, good isn’t a strong enough adjective. Right. It feels right, like that spot had been left open for her all these years.

Last night as we were laying on the couch watching a movie she mentioned how perfect the corner of my living room would be for a big Christmas tree. She talked about the little artificialtree she has to pull out of storage for her apartment which got me thinking. That’s how I ended up spending all day searching for urban tree lots to shop at in the city.

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