Page 27 of The Christmas Gift

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her gaze dropped to his crotch then back to his face.

Cor laughed. “Have fun with the girls, I’ll be home in four hours tops. If you see Alayna, tell her we’ll have our gifts wrapped this weekend.”

“No problem.” She’d have to ask Blair to point out Alayna. She’d heard lots about the woman running the gift drive. It was inspiring the way Alayna helped the community.

Her eyes trailed after Cor until he disappeared from the room. Ivy closed her eyes, slumping against the pillows to quiet her raging pulse. Cor was an exceptional kisser, she smiled, basking in the aftermath of their kiss.

Between the mattress that hugged her curves and pillows made for snuggling, she didn’t want to leave the bed. She hadn’t had a chance to catch up with her friends, however, and really wanted to.

Sighing, she swung her feet to the ground. Quickly neatening the bed, she grabbed her phone from the nightstand. Ivy swiped away the latest IOS update alert from the screen and checked her emails before leaving the apartment.

The landlady had added even more holiday lights to the main lobby heightening the Christmas cheer. From what little she knew of the older woman, Fitz didn’t do anything small. She was the condo’s over-the-top eccentric matchmaker. Ivy smiled, knowing the woman was also a fierce protector of all her tenants.

Given the setting sun, the nip in the air, she suspected the café was crowded, or the tenants were holiday shopping.

A short walk later, she pushed open the doors to the café. The coffee shop was festive. Holiday music turned low became background music to the chorus of conversations. She recognized a few people from the condo and waved to a small group of ladies which included Dolly—the first of Blair’s friends she’d met—sitting at a corner table.

Sylvia, the café owner, was behind the counter taking orders. Blair was in her usual spot at the bar chatting with another group of friends.

“You’re alive,” Blair teased when Ivy reached them.

“So are you.” Ivy wiggled her brows towards the Henry Cavil look alike in glasses, chatting with a couple of guys at the window. “I’d say your handyman knows how to work his wrench.”

Blair blushed, making Ivy laugh. She had to hand it to Fitz, the older woman wasn’t half bad at matchmaking. She glanced around the café at the couples, most of whom were from the building. Condos were going to become vacant with all the visible hooking up evident in the café. Ivy had a twinge of sympathy for the new tenants. Any chance of not having their lives meddled with required finding a date for Fitz. Otherwise, the single tenants were going to find themselves matched.

“Hey, Ivy,” Sylvia said. “I haven’t seen you in a week.”

“You can blame Cor for that,” Ivy said. “Thanks for the morning beverages.”

“No problem. It was easy.” Sylvia winked. “Cor said you have a sweet tooth. What are you having today?”

Ivy glanced at the chalk-written board behind the counter. She already knew she would try the holiday special. “I’ll have the Gingerbread Crème.

“Got it. Whipped cream?”

“Let’s keep me honest. Make it double whipped. Extra hot, please.”

“You got it,” Sylvia set off to make her drink.

“Have you met Alayna?” Blair asked.

“No, but I’ve heard awesome things about what you’re doing in the community.”

“Thank you.” Alayna beamed.

“Cor says we’ll have our gifts wrapped this weekend.”

“You trust him to wrap?” Alayna chuckled.

“I’ll let him struggle a little.” She wouldn’t be surprised if Cor turned out to be an excellent gift wrapper. The man was seriously good with his hands.

“Eh-em.” Blair cleared her throat. “You’re flushed.”

It was so easy chatting with this group of women.

“Wait, did I hear correctly?Our gifts?” Blair cooed. “Does this mean it’s official?”

Of course, with her friend’s attention to detail, she’d cease on that little nugget. “He’s definitely a prominent part of every decision.”

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