Page 18 of The Mistletoe Trap
Julie did a double take, and Dad shot him a smug grin with plenty ofI told you soin the curve.
“Kory’s not gonna know what hit him,” Gavin added to convey to his father that it was an objective statement, one that didn’t have anything to do with what they’d been discussing moments ago.
Sure, before they left, he might need a quick detour past that beach photo that every classmate and teammate gave him shit about. Still, he stood by what he said, and she should hear compliments like that more often. Only an idiot wouldn’t see how beautiful she was, and he wasn’t an idiot.
Everything was all fine and good, and he was going to stand up, grab the keys, and take her on a date. Er, drive her toherdate.
Now it almost felt as if he were delivering her to Kory, and if he thought too much about that, he’d end up taking her to the restaurant, only to be unable to let her go.
Chapter Six
Julie crossed one leg over the other, frowning at her skirt, and Gavin didn’t have to ask why. She had a habit of putting her feet up on the dash, and she’d obviously realized her outfit made it harder to pull off.
Not that he’d complain over seeing a flash of her thighs.
Gavin gripped the wheel tighter, squeezing so hard he wouldn’t be surprised if it cracked and crumbled underneath his hands. His phone rang from its holster on the dash, and he was grateful for the interruption—with any luck, it’d allow him a minute or two to get his thoughts back on track.
“Ooh, it’s Jason,” Julie said, her chipper tone over seeing his teammate’s name on the screen making him less appreciative. “Should I answer it for you?”
Gavin gritted his teeth to avoid giving away the inexplicable grumpiness he wished he didn’t feel. “I guess.”
Julie tapped the screen to answer. “Hey, Jason.”
“My, my, my,” Holt replied. “Your voice is higher and sexier than I remember, Frost.”
Julie giggled, and Gavin told himself this was a good thing. That a guy who’d flatter her and boost her self-esteem was just what she needed before her date with Kory.
“The better to lure in guys,” she said, and judging by the way she slapped a hand over her mouth, she’d surprised herself with that flirty gem.
Jason’s chuckle carried over the line, and a request to add video popped onscreen.
As Julie reached for the button that’d allow it, Gavin said, “No, don’t—”
“Sorry, too late,” Julie whispered in his direction. Then she turned that killer smile, dimples and all, toward Jason and waved. “Hey. I have you on speaker, and Gavin’s in the truck with me. If you need to have a private convo, though, just let me know.”
“Oh, I’d rather have a private chat with youby far.”
“Thanks, jackass,” Gavin said, and Jason laughed.
“Don’t act like you wouldn’t feel the same in my place. I mean, look at her.” Jason whistled. “Julie, babe, what are you all dolled up for?”
She fiddled with the end of her dangly earring. “I have a date.”
“Ah, so you two are finally going out. Guess I’ll hold back the rest of what I was gonna say so Gavin won’t reach through the phone and strangle me.”
“Not a date with Gavin,” she said, as if the very idea were absurd. “My parents set me up with the single son of one of their couple friends. It’s a thing my mother likes to do.”
“Sounds like I need her number. That way, I can be next on your list.” Out of the corner of his eye, Gavin caught Jason’s eyebrow waggle. Seriously, the guy was so over-the-top. Usually, he found it more amusing. Right now, not so much.
Julie gently patted his shoulder over the brace—he’d left his sling at home, mostly due to vanity reasons, but it made it easier to drive as well. “I roped Gavin into helping me out so I don’t put my foot in my mouth.”
“What I’m hearing is you’re flexible.”
Another titter, and what the hell?
“What I’m hearing is you’re shameless,” Julie fired back, the sassy side formerly reserved just for Gavin coming out.
“It’s one of my best attributes.”
