Page 5 of Just A Dash of Holiday Magic
“Why didn’t you tell them the truth?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugs, her intense gaze never leaving me. “I guess it was something in your eyes that said you needed that more than me.”
I look down again at the necklace and then back up at her. I think we are both beyond the bullshit of me trying to spin some sort of story for her. So I lay it all out on the line.
“I do,” I agree.
“Do you have some debts from a bookie you need to pay off?”
I narrow my eyes at her assumption. I don’t like that she thinks I’m still what I spent the last year of my life starting to atone for. But she has no other reason to think otherwise.
“I needed the money.”
“That much is clear,” she scoffs. “I didn’t think you broke into my safe because you needed something pretty to wear to a holiday party.”
It’s my turn to laugh. “I suppose not.”
“You might as well sit down for a bit. I don’t think the officers believed our story. They are likely going to watch the place for a bit to make sure.”
I can’t help it, but I like that she says, “our lie.” Like we are a team working together.
Sitting down on the sofa, nearest the window, I watch as she moves into the kitchen and puts the kettle on the stove. She acts as if she is entertaining a guest and not a criminal that just broke into her home.
Neither one of us says anything until she returns and hands me a cup of tea. I don't miss the sparks I feel when my fingertips brush against hers. The little gasp she makes tells me she didn't either. She pretends to ignore it and sits down across from me. I can’t help but notice how her yellow hair complements her pale complexion. She’s gorgeous but in a subtle way. One that makes you take your time to notice her kind eyes and the soft lines of her full lips.
“I’m Marie,” she says, tucking a strand of blonde locks behind her ear.
I don’t hold back and tell her the truth. “I’m Will.”
