Page 39 of Chasing Kaylee Kringle

“Why?”

To his surprise and delight, she waggled her eyebrows and spoke in a British accent. “Because it’s naughty, and you’ll make fun of me.”

“No, I won’t. Show me.” He abandoned the rest of his groceries and came around the table, looking Kaylee over for where she might be hiding the book.

“It’s already in my bag, ready to go. Now, leave me alone,” she said, shrugging into her jacket.

“Fine, but you can’t hide from me forever.” He steepled his fingers, tapping them together like a supervillain. “After all, I’ll be here when you get back.”

“I’m surprised you’re not trying to follow me to book club.”

“Actually, that’s not a bad idea.” He quickly finished putting the groceries away and grinned. “Let’s go.”

“No, Rick, you’re not going with me to book club.” He ignored her, whistling on his way out the door as she continued yelling, “Rick? Rick!”

Even though this was supposed to be a job, Rick hadn’t had this much fun in years.

Chapter Twenty

Kaylee

Kaylee almost texted the group chat to tell them that she couldn’t make it to book club, but she figured there would be more speculation about why she was bailing than if she showed up with her uninvited guest. They stood on the doorstep of Marianne Crutch’s large four-bedroom house with Rick hovering behind her.

“This is a nice house,” he said, crossing to the railing and leaning against it, facing the yard. There was a light-up nativity set that included the three wisemen on camels, along with signs in lights that said HE’S THE REASON FOR THE SEASON and JESUS IS KING. “Does everyone decorate but you?”

Before she could tell him to get stuffed, the door flew open. Marianne’s blue eyes widened as she glanced from Rick to Kaylee.

“Hi,” Marianne said awkwardly. “I didn’t realize you were bringing a guest, especially a male guest.”

Before Kaylee could say anything, Rick broke in, holding his hand out to her. “I’m Rick, and I kind of invited myself along because I’m staying with Kaylee for such a short time, and well …” Kaylee startled when he grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze, and she looked up into an expression of pure affection on his face. “I don’t want to waste a moment away from her.”

That does not sound like friends! What the heck is he doing?

“Oh, that’s so sweet.” Marianne’s smile dampened, and she added, “I’m just not sure how everyone else will feel.”

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have tried to crash. I’m really sorry.” He took a step back and waved toward her yard. “I love your yard, by the way. Most of the houses have Santa and Rudolph, but it’s important to remember what Christmas is about. My abuela, my grandmother, had a nativity scene passed down to her, and I have it now. It is my favorite possession.”

Kaylee could tell the minute Marianne fell for his charm and almost gagged when she said, “That is beautiful. I understand what it’s like to be in the honeymoon stage, even though that was twenty-some odd years ago for me.” She laughed at her little joke and stepped back, clearing the doorframe. “I’m happy you could come.”

As they walked past the threshold, she pointed to a door to their right. “You can leave your coats and anything else in that room. We are hanging out in the living room, drinking some bubbly. If you need to go to the bathroom, it’s down this same hallway to the left.”

Kaylee could have told Rick that, but Marianne seemed to like playing hostess, as she started showing Rick the pictures on her wall, naming off her kids. Rick hadn’t relinquished Kaylee’s hand, and his palm was warm against her skin. While she told herself that she didn’t want to pull away and cause a scene, deep down, it felt good to hold hands with him, even if it was just pretend.

She scanned the living room behind her for Josie, who was clutching a blue book in her hands. Kaylee tried to signal her slyly, but she was too caught up in her discussion to notice.

“Well, I should probably get things rolling before Barny and the kids get back. Go ahead and grab some mimosas and snacks from the kitchen and join us in the living room.” She beamed at Kaylee, squeezing her arm. “I really like him.”

Kaylee gave her a small smile, unwilling to offend the mayor’s wife. When Marianne disappeared out of sight, Kaylee shook off Rick’s hand. “You’re diabolical.”

“What? We’re already the talk of the town.”

“Don’t remind me,” she grumbled.

“Anyway, I met the lovely Jolene, who thinks we’re already involved, or I have a sneaking suspicion she would be doing her very best to play matchmaker. So, if the town thinks I’m just a smitten college friend, then why not play the part?”

Kaylee nearly groaned aloud. Jolene had been trying to set her up since she’d gotten settled, but she’d given her a story about an ex-boyfriend she was still hung up on. Clearly, she thought Rick was the guy.

“Because I do not want to be in a relationship with you, even a fake one. I just want to live my life and talk about smutty Santa books.”