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“Ah, you were counting!” he said, triumphantly.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lucy said, swatting him with a tea towel.

Dylan told her about his trip while she got food together and they ate.

“So, now you’re back, I guess Operation Starting To Make Christmas Memories is a go-go!” declared Lucy, as they cleaned up after dinner.

“A go-go? Really?”

“Yes, this is serious business, kindly take it seriously.”

Dylan nodded solemnly.

“I think we’d better start with decorating this place then,” suggested Lucy, looking around. “That’ll get us in the Christmas spirit.” She wanted so desperately to ask him what his plans for Christmas were, but would he think she was angling for her to spend it with him? How embarrassing would it be if he felt he had to let her down gently?

“That is an excellent idea. Have you got any decorations for in here?”

“No, I never usually bother to decorate because I go to my mum and dad’s, but we’re fixing that this year. That big garden centre that Mary loves has got real Christmas trees, so we could start with buying one of those and take it from there.”

“Let’s drive out there after you close up tomorrow. They’re open until at least eight.”

“That sounds awesome. Let’s take my car though. I don’t think you want a Christmas tree strapped to the roof of your Audi.”

“That is a very good point. I would be very sad if a Christmas tree was strapped to the roof of my precious girl.”

“Your precious girl?” Lucy raised her eyebrows.

“You’re just jealous because your car smells,” Dylan said.

“Don’t be rude, or I won’t let you use it.” In truth, it did smell a little, thanks to her unfortunate habit of eating in it and leaving the wrappers in there.

“Fine, but can I drive? I fancy a go handling your rust bucket.”

“If you’ll let me drive your car next time we go out,” Lucy challenged.

“You know I don’t let people drive my car . . .”

“Please?” Lucy exaggerated batting her eyelashes.

“Fine, you can drive it . . . sometime. Under supervision.” Lucy grinned with satisfaction as Dylan’s face screwed up with suggested worry, seemingly debating the wisdom of his decision.

“I’m going to check how high the ceiling is in the sitting room so we can get the biggest tree possible,” he announced. “Have you got a tape measure?”

Lucy shook her head affectionately as she watched him hurry out of the kitchen.

Chapter 19

Dylan had work to catch up on the next day but finished early, declaring he was ‘too excited’ to do any more, and she’d never seen anyone clean up the coffee shop so quickly. By half four, he was outside warming her car up while she was under strict instructions to get ready, and five minutes later, he was hurrying her out of the door and into the cold night air. He insisted on holding her hand as they walked along the garden path in case it was slippery, which only served to remind her of when he’d slipped on the path and what that had led to. Especially when he failed to let go of it even once she could officially be termed ‘out of danger’.

Like he had when they’d travelled together before, he held the car door open as she climbed in. He carefully closed it and got into the driver’s side. She’d never had anyone treat her like this before, and it was sort of nice.

Dylan leaned across her, sending her hormones into overdrive as the smell of him hit her. She tried to slow her breathing as he opened the glove box and pulled out a packet of watermelon flavour Candy Kitten sweets and handed them to her.

“I heard you tell Carrie these were your favourites once.”

“Thanks,” she managed to mutter as she ripped them open, remembering her manners enough to offer Dylan one before she fell on them.

The packet was demolished by the time they reached the garden centre car park. Dylan was round to her side of the car to open her door before Lucy had time to get out. He extended a hand to her.