Page 43 of The Christmas Lodge
“So get out of your own way,” Madeline responded, but her voice was gentle.
“I’m trying, I promise.”
“And,” Madeline continued, playful now. “Make sure you’re dressed to kill tonight. FaceTime me so we can pick an outfit.”
“Right now?”
“Right now. Isn’t he coming in like twenty minutes?”
Lacy glanced at her watch and gasped. “Oh my gosh, yes. I need to pick an outfit, stat!”
Lacy clicked the button to FaceTime and for the next five minutes the two of them sorted through Lacy’s meager supply of clothes to pick an outfit for the date. Finally, after much deliberation, they settled on an elegant and stylish black jumpsuit with heeled booties and simple jewelry. It was one of Lacy’s favorite outfits, one that she knew flattered her and looked dressy without being pretentious.
“You look stunning,” Madeline assured her after Lacy had put it on.
“Are you sure? I want to look perfect.”
“You do.” Madeline laughed. “And see? This is further proof that you like him. I’ve helped you get ready for dates before where you opted not to even change out of your work clothes. You actuallycaretonight. You really do like this guy.”
Lacy paused, not sure how to answer that. Luckily, a knock on her door saved her from acknowledging the truth of Madeline’s words. “I have to get that.”
“Good luck!”
“Thanks. Night!”
Lacy hung up, her pulse racing. Smoothing her hair and taking one last glance in the mirror, Lacy walked to the door.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
It was all Derek could do not to gasp aloud when Lacy opened the door. As it was, he only just managed to keep his mouth from gaping open, although he was pretty sure his eyes had widened enough to give away just how much she had taken his breath away. She looked absolutely stunning, like she had stepped from the pages of a New York fashion runway. Derek didn’t know much about fashion, but he definitely noticed the way the jumpsuit cinched at her waist, highlighting how petite it was and showing off her delicate hourglass figure. Her hair was loosely curled, brushing the tips of her shoulders and her eyes arrested him, lashes seeming to go on for miles. She had clearly made an effort, and it hit him once more with full force that this was a real date.
“You look… you look…” Derek could have cursed himself for how foolish and tongue-tied he sounded, like a schoolboy trying to talk to a girl for the first time.
“That bad?” she teased.
Derek felt his cheeks warm even as he laughed, breaking the tension somewhat. “I was going to say that you look beautiful.”
Now it was Lacy’s turn to blush ever so slightly, her cheeks pinking up so adorably that he had to keep himself from pulling her into his arms right then and there.
Keep it together, man,he told himself.This is your first date. Oh, and she’s leaving.
Lacy tucked her hair behind one ear, revealing an elegant and simple silver earring.
“You clean up pretty good too, Morse,” Lacy said, keeping her tone light, but the way she was looking at him told him she wasn’t feeling quite as casually about him as she was pretending.
“I showered and everything.”
Lacy pretended to sniff. “Oh, good, that means I can breathe freely tonight. Derek, you treat me like a princess. I’m honored.”
“Breathe away, your highness,” he replied, sweeping a low bow that set her off, her delightful laughter filling the air, much to his pleasure. “Your carriage awaits, at your leisure.”
“Excellent. I hope it’s not far, because I’m starving, and you have about fifteen minutes before I become an entirely different person,” Lacy joked.
Derek pretended to look afraid. “In that case, we have no time to waste.”
Without warning, he grabbed her around the waist and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and began carrying her down the hallway and into the lobby of the inn. Lacy squealed with surprise.
“What are you doing?” She could barely get the words out around her laughter. “People are looking at us!”
