Page 130 of The Duke Who Saved Christmas
Thomas laughed and got up. “Yes, sir. Thank you for the tea, but I must be off. As Sylvie so kindly put it, I am a busy man.”
“I’ll see him out,” I said, getting up and dragging him off the chair. “Come on. Let’s go. That’s enough happy family roleplay this morning.”
Gramps snorted. “Goodbye, grandson-in-law.”
“Bye, Gramps!” Thomas called back.
“Stop it!” I said, ushering him closer to the front door.
He chuckled as he put on his shoes and coat. “You’re breaking my heart kicking me out like this, do you know that?”
“I didn’t intend to kick you out, but I didn’t think they’d be back so early, either.”
“Or you’d have made me leave last night?” He raised his eyebrows.
“It sounds bad when you put it like that,” I mumbled, opening the front door. I stepped out onto the doorstep and closed the door behind us. “I just… didn’t exactly want them to find you here, that’s all.”
He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me in close. “I know.” He kissed the top of my head. “I’m sorry if staying has made it awkward for you, especially since it’s been a while since you’ve seen your parents.”
“It’s fine,” I said, leaning into him as I gripped his coat. “They’ll be more concerned that Hazel and I are fighting again anyway, so don’t worry about it.”
“Ah, the fate of not being the golden child.”
I prodded him in the side. “Don’t. Even the pig gets privileges I could only dream of.”
He laughed and once again pecked the top of my head. “You should go in before they start peeping through the window.”
“Yeah, they might get the wrong idea if they see you clinging to me like this.”
Thomas squeezed me. “Well, then we’ll have to stand here for a few minutes until they get the right idea.”
“We’re having two different conversations, aren’t we?”
He chuckled and pulled back to kiss me—this time, on my lips. It was far too slick and smooth to plant on me given the undefined nature of our relationship, but I wasn’t going to point that out.
He’d just tell me to shut up.
“I suppose I’ll let you go.” He sighed, taking a step back and pulling his car keys out of his pocket. “Are you sure there aren’t any non-existent sanitary products in my boot?”
I pressed my lips together. “The regrets just keep growing.”
“I’d be upset if I thought you meant that.” Thomas grinned and unlocked his truck. “What’s your schedule look like today?”
“Pain and suffering,” I replied. “I have a meeting with the bakery at ten-thirty, a phone call with the make-up artist right after, then assembling the festive decorating army at the venue. Why?”
“Because we need to talk. About us.”
I swallowed.Oh, no.
This was why I didn’t make impulsive decisions.
There were, in fact, consequences to my actions.
Who knew?
“I’m not sure there’s enough time in my diary for that,” I mumbled, glancing away.
“All right, fine.” He waved his hand and turned towards his truck. “I know how busy you are, and since I’m such a kind and understanding person, I’ll give you until the wedding is over.”
