Page 12 of Say Yule Stay
Because he’s awesome.
And currently my number one best friend.
I wonder how Murphy is gonna react…
“Why are you smiling?” Lacey says on a hiccup that’s high-pitched and adorable, her cheeks flushed and her eyes a little glassy.
“Thinking about telling your brother he’s my second best friend right now.”
Sucking in a breath, she shakes her head. “He’ll be devastated,” she says with mock sympathy.
“I know,” I gloat. “He deserves it.”
Yawning, Lacey stretches in her seat and I glance at the clock on the microwave. I have to squint, because apparently I drank more than I thought, but finally realize it’s after midnight.
Thank God we put the cookie dough in the fridge.
Lacey definitely needs to rest, but tonight has been one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time, and honestly, I don’t want it to end.
“You’re falling asleep.”
“I am not.” Her protest is accompanied by another yawn, and I snort as I push back from the table, taking a second to steady myself before offering her my hand.
“Let’s go.”
“You trying to get me into bed, Walker?” She grins and I chuff out a laugh.
“Yes, but we’re going to sleep.” With a pointed look, I add, “Tonight.”
Tomorrow is a whole new ballgame.
11
LACEY
Ican already tell that my hangover is going to hurt before I even open my eyes. I don’t want to be awake, but Walker is throwing off heat like a furnace as he holds my back securely to his chest.
I’d love to rub my ass against his very impressive erection, but I have to pee and hopefully locate a bottle of water and something to stop the pounding in my head.
“It’s too early,” Walker complains when I try and ease myself out of bed.
“I know, but I need to get up.”
“I like you in my bed.”
His gravelly admission sends a flutter—the good kind—through my stomach, but I really can’t focus on that now.
“Yes, well, someone made me chug a bottle of water before we went to sleep and now I need to pee.”
He grunts and releases me before rolling onto his stomach and burying his face into the pillow.God, he’s gorgeous.
He’s shirtless, the muscles in his back flexing as he stretches, and for a second, I forget what I’m supposed to be doing before turning on my heel and heading for the bathroom.
With the first order of business out of the way, I pull my hair back with the elastic on my wrist and stare at my reflection.
I look tired but also…happy.
If I’m being honest, it’s been a while since I was happy. I really did love my job, for a while at least. I thought if I kept working hard and bided my time, that I’d be rewarded for my efforts.
