“It’s on one of my Christmas playlists.”
I had a feeling.
I fight off a smirk—there’s no need for smugness now—as we sway.
The song is smooth, sensual, a holiday seduction. But I don’t listen closely for very long. Holding her is far more interesting. My hands fit perfectly around her hips. Her fingers on my shoulders heat my skin. I catch a hint of that cherry scent that drives me wild. When the couple next to us moves closer to each other, I thinkfuck it. That’s my cue to do the same.
I ease closer, curling one hand tighter around her. She rolls her lips together.
I rub my thumb in a small, lazy circle along her hip bone. Her eyes float closed for a second—a delicious second where I want to high-five myself.
Yes, Isla likes sexy holiday music and the way I touch her.
When she opens her eyes, they flicker with heat.
And Isla likes winning, too, so I lean into that. “You’redoing such a good job,” I say, praising her as the lead singer does his best Luther Vandross impression, crooning about pouring another glass of wine and lighting up the fireplace.
“At dancing?” she asks, sounding breathy, feathery.
“Yes, but resisting too,” I say, holding her close.
“Told you so.”
I shouldn’t want this. I shouldn’t tempt her. I should back off. Say goodnight. But if anyone’s dating Isla here in Evergreen Falls—fake, real, or practice—it damn well better be me.
Which is why I played dirty tonight.
Or really, I played to win.
“Isla,” I begin, taking my time saying her name.
“Yes?” She sounds a little dreamy.
“Remember that time at the Ferry Building when you told me you had playlists of Christmas music?”
A curious line digs into her forehead. “I do.”
“And one of them was top ten sexy holiday songs, right?”
“Yes. That’s one of them.”
“You’re not the only one who has a memory like a steel trap,” I say, as the song nears its end. “This afternoon I did a little googling. Looked up sexy holiday songs. Something I’d never done before.”
“That does sound like new territory for you.”
“Very new. I did some date research too. Learned The Mistle Bros were coming here tonight to play. I talked to the diner owners, and they said I could ask the band to play some sexy Christmas music.For you.”
Her lips part. Something like wonder crosses her eyes. “You…did?”
“You said you wanted me to be real. To show up when we practiced. This is me—showing up.”
There’s no sarcasm to cloak me, no frown to cover for me. It’s like putting on a pair of shoes that don’t quite fit yet. I’m not sure I can walk in them, but I’m trying.
Isla purses her lips, like she’s unsure what to say. For several seconds, I feel suspended in uncertainty until she tries and fails to fight off a sexy smile curving her pretty mouth.
“I like it when you’re real,” she says softly, and it sounds like an admission of something more from her.
Pride spreads in me, along with some other feeling, warm and bright. Something I can’t quite name. But for now, I don’t need to name it. I just need to dance with my matchmaker under the twinkling lights of the Candy Cane Diner.
