“Huh? That makes no sense.”
“I was remembering how I was laid up in bed with the burns on my hands and you had to feed me.” Steve topped up their wine glasses as he spoke. “At least this time it’s white wine and seafood. Much better than water and Panadol.” He laughed, the sound a low chuckle. “Still, I wouldn’t change a thing. It was the best Christmas Eve ever.”
Corey met his gaze, both of them solemn. “It was, wasn’t it? I hate that you were hurt, but that was the night that brought us together.”
“And as they say, the rest is history.” Steve leaned over and took Corey’s hand, joining them across the table, his grasp warm and secure.
Corey looked at their linked hands.Now’s the perfect time.He glanced from Steve to the decorated tree and back again. “I—”
“I’ll get—”
They spoke at the same time.
“You go,” Steve said.
“No, it’s okay. What were you going to say?”
“I… ah… um…. I was just going to get dessert.” Steve squeezed his hand, then hurriedly pushed back from the table. “I’ll be right back.” He loaded his arms with the platters and headed to the kitchen.
Corey watched Steve’s retreating back.Damn! I should have said something.He had a bit of a sweet tooth, but for once he wasn’t interested in dessert. He had more important things on his mind. Maybe if he ate in a hurry….
Thank God Steve returned quickly, but it was what he carried that had Corey’s eyes widening. “It’s Christmas pudding,” Corey stated.
“Very observant, oh wise one.” Steve chuckled and placed a dish in front of each of them before sitting back down.
“But you’re not a fan.” After last year’s disaster with Steve burning his wrists while boiling a pudding following his mum’s recipe, Corey had been even more astounded to find out Steve didn’t even like pudding much.
“Let’s just say I don’t mind eating it once in a while. I’m definitely not a fan of making one, but I know you enjoy it, plus this is a special occasion.”
Corey looked at the huge serving on his plate. “So we’re celebrating Christmas Eve by eating pudding?”
“Uh-huh. If it wasn’t for that Christmas pudding—”
“That Christmas pudding disaster.” Corey laughed.
Steve nodded. “—then we wouldn’t be together.”
Corey picked up his spoon. “I have no doubt wewouldbe together, but it certainly sped things along.” He dug into the pudding and scooped up a large mouthful of pudding and custard.
“Hold on.” Steve spoke quickly before Corey could get the spoon to his mouth. “Be careful. There are coins in it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. You know, it’s an old-fashioned tradition to put coins in the pudding. If you find one, it’s meant to be good luck.”
Corey laughed. “Thanks for the warning. It wouldn’t be lucky if I choked or broke a tooth.” He took a tentative mouthful, chewing carefully. He didn’t feel anything foreign and swallowed. The pudding was delicious. “It’s amazing.”
A smile lit Steve’s face. “It should be. Mum made it. I wasn’t taking any risks this year.”
Steve took his own mouthful, looking pensive as he chewed. He broke into a grin as he reached to his mouth and held up a small coin.
“First go! You must be lucky,” Corey exclaimed.
“I hope so. I’m hoping tonight is my lucky night.”
He expected Steve to give a flirty waggle of his eyebrows to accompany his words, but his tone was serious. He stared into the depths of Steve’s warm brown eyes.
God, I hope it’s my lucky night, too.
