“Well, then. I guess we’ll see you two there,” Rose said, flaring her eyes at Wynter and smiling as she wheeled her friend away from them. Based on the curious look Emerson was givingRose, more questions were about to be asked. But then Rose paused and glanced at them over her shoulder. “Let’s go pick out a dress. There are some real pretty options at the new boutique in town. Let me know when you’re available.”
“Of course.” Wynter watched them disappear around a tall set of shelves and grinned to herself. This was something to look forward to.
Marcus cleared his throat at her back, and Wynter stiffened. Then she forced herself to look up at him. The effort was excruciating, and she could feel the warmth spreading beneath her cheeks once more. That familiar spark in his gaze said it all. He wanted to know what it all meant.
She tore her gaze from him and coughed. “Sounds like fun, don’t you think?”
“Mm-hmm. And?”
“And,” she drawled, “something fun like a Christmas party is made even better when I can spend time with my best friend.”
“You mean Rose?”
Wynter blushed hotter. “No. I mean you.”
He squinted at her, and she could almost hear the thoughts in his head. Did she really think of him as a friend? Or were the tides shifting?
If she’d been asked a few days ago, she would have said there was nothing there but friendship. But now?
Unfortunately, she didn’t have an answer.
And that both terrified her and exhilarated her.
She placed a hand on his chest. “Is that okay?”
He arched a brow. “What? That we go on a date that isn’t?”
Wynter couldn’t help herself. She laughed. “Exactly.” And just like that, the tension mounting in her muscles eased. The expectation for more had been demolished, and that was all she needed.
15
MARCUS
This wasn’t a date.
Going out dancing, even though he was dressed in a suit, was definitely not a date.
Oh, who was he kidding?
Marcus couldn’t deny that in his heart, tonight would be his first official date with Wynter. He was about to pick her up. He’d spend time with her at the party. And then he’d bring her home. That sure sounded like a date to him.
Not only that, but his siblings were giving him that look he detested. Like they knew he was up to something, and they weren’t sure they approved.
Well, too bad for them.
Wynter was the girl of his dreams, and he could feel her resolve weakening. The more time they spent together, the more he could sense it.
He hurried up to the front door and knocked. A wave of déjà vu hit him square in the chest, nearly knocking the wind out ofhim when the door was pulled open. Instead of Mr. Delaney, it was Nora. And she was smiling as bright as ever.
“Well, Marcus, you look wonderful.”
“Thank you, Nora.”
She wiped at the moisture building in her eyes and let out a strangled laugh. Then she motioned for him to enter, waving him off before he could ask her if she was okay. “Wynter, Marcus is here.”
“How are you feeling?” Marcus nodded to the brace on her wrist. “How much longer do you have to wear that?”
She lifted it up. “Oh, this? It’s fine. I think I’ll be free of it sooner than you think.”
