Page 53 of Maybe This Christmas
He couldn’t put his finger on why, but he felt different.
As he approached the dining room, music and laughter carried out into the hallway.Sabrina’s raucous laugh greeted him as he walked into the room.She and Emma were in the corner, drinks in hand.
“There’s the man of the hour!”Sabrina turned to Emma.“I hope this doesn’t weird you out, but I picked out his outfit for him.I figured it was better than the lodge uniform or his ratty work clothes.”
Emma grinned.“I don’t mind, but it appears that Caleb does.”
Instead of having an irritating conversation with his sister, he took a moment to take Emma in.She wore a pink dress embellished with tiny, glittery Christmas trees that twinkled in the dim light.Her dark hair was piled in an elaborate updo.
She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life.
Emma touched her hair.“Would you believe that your mom did my hair?I mean, I didn’t have much say in the matter, but I liked how it came out.”
“I had to tell her to take it down a little bit.”Sabrina brought her hands out to either side of her head.“You know mom loves her poufy hair.”
Brandon called Sabrina over to the other side of the room, leaving Emma and Caleb alone.
She reached for his hand.“I missed you,” she whispered.Before he could reply, she added, “But I’ve been having fun on my own, don’t worry.”
He squeezed her hand.“I hope my family isn’t too much for you.”
“No, they remind me of those last couple of years I had with the Hendersons before I left for college.The house was rowdy, but full of love.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.”Caleb worried about his sweaty palms—he pulled his hand away from Emma’s.“Sorry, my palms are sweaty as all get out tonight.I don’t know why.”
“How about we get you a drink?The bartender makes a mean Screwdriver.Because, of course, the drinks are all construction themed.”
“That sounds like a plan.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.“I’ll be right back.”
He watched as she maneuvered through the room, pausing to converse with the other guests on the way.
He couldn’t have taken his eyes off her if he tried.Maybe Carlos was right.He was down bad.
Chapter Eighteen
Maybe it was the booze, but Emma couldn’t recall a time when she’d laughed more.This rowdy little party was the opposite of the holiday parties her firm would throw.Or, god forbid, the ones she’d have to attend at Davis’ work.
“Emma is the newest person here.It’s only fair that she has to be the one to do shots.Last year, it was me,” Kayla said.
“Hey now, I’m not an employee!”She paused.“What kind of shots are we talking here, anyway?”
That had the whole group roaring with laughter.
Caleb reached for her hand under the table.“Trust me, this is an offer you want to refuse.”
“Too late!”Sabrina stood from the table and disappeared.
Emma groaned.“It’s not nice to haze newcomers, you know.”
“It’s only one shot,” Brandon said.“Each.”
“Each?”
Before he could reply, Sabrina returned with a wooden board with several shots lined up on it.
She nearly tripped on the carpet, but somehow, all the drinks were unspilled when she set them in front of Emma.
