Page 12 of Twelve Dates of Christmas

Chapter Five

~ Holly ~

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, thinking about this afternoon and second guessing everything. We’d talked for over an hour today before I’d had to leave to pick up my niece from her sitter. When I was off, “Auntie ‘olly” was the bridge between daycare and her parents.

My sister was always encouraging me to quit my job and just become her nanny. I loved my niece dearly, but I just didn’t see that as being a good thing. My sister already tried to run my life. I couldn’t imagine what would happen if I actually worked for her. Yeech.

The phone rang, and I glanced at the clock, thinking maybe it was Rylan calling to cancel. He seemed so great—other than the job thing—but I kept waiting for the shoe of reality to drop.

But that job thing… He’d told me he traveled for work, but by all appearances, he didn’t actually seem to have a job. Anytime conversation veered toward jobs, he steered us in another direction. Either his work was a secret or he didn’t have a job. And really, in real life, here in the Midwest, who really had a secret job.

No one. That’s who.

My cell phone was still ringing. Not Rylan. My sister.

“Hey, Iris,” I answered nonchalantly.

“You didn’t stay for dinner.”

I usually did when I picked up my niece. “Yeah. I had a, um, thing.”

“A thing?” she echoed, her voice full of interest. I could picture her sinking onto her couch and curling up into the corner while she gave me her full attention and twirled a lock of her blonde hair around her finger. “Like…a date thing? Did you meet a guy at the speed dates?”

Here we go…

“Yes.”

“And? Come on, Holly! Tell me! Is he cute?”

Cute? What were we? Fifteen?

“I wouldn’t call him that. He’s hot, though. Geez, like movie star hot.”

She squealed. “And? What’s his name.”

“Rylan.” I purposely didn’t give her his last name. My sister could give stalkers lessons. She’d have his life story within a few clicks of the computer mouse. “And he’s going to be here any minute, so I’ve got to finish getting ready.”

“Call me afterward. Promise me!”

“I’ll text you. So you know I’m home safe and sound.”

“Okay. Don’t forget the code words.”

“I won’t forget,” I said begrudgingly. Sometimes, it was as if my sister was twenty years older than me and not just two. She’d insisted we have code words when we texted, so she’d know for sure that I was really home safe—not that I ever went out.

I jumped when a knock sounded on my door. “Gotta go! Love you!” I cried, dashing for the door then hanging up. I grabbed my coat, gloves and wallet-purse on the way.

“Who do you love?” Rylan demanded as I yanked open the door.

My smile fell slightly at the jealous look on his face. A little shiver went through me at his smoldering eyes. “I didn’t realize the walls were that thin. Sheesh. It was my sister, checking up on me.”

He swallowed visibly, though the possessive fire in his eyes didn’t diminish as he studied me. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yep. Excited, too.”

I really was. We’d had the speed dates then coffee, but this was my first real date. And it was with the most handsome man I’d ever seen, a guy who looked at me as if I were every Christmas present he’d ever wanted. The things I saw in his gaze were from more than excitement over a date.

His large hand settled on my lower back as he guided me toward his enormous truck.

---