“It’s my job.”
“I can see why you’re in demand.”
Morgan licked her lips. “You might never see my best moves.”
CHAPTER27
Awhile later, Morgan stood back and surveyed their handiwork. The pub garden furniture was restored, and the new-look table and umbrella even added a little extra kitsch that she was very much here for. Plus, they’d also made a plate of gingerbread stars, which Morgan and Ali had iced the edges of. A solid evening’s work.
“Not bad, even if I say so myself,” Morgan said. “For emergency baking, we did a lot of extras.” She glanced at the clock. 10.45pm. “You must be starving. How about a mince pie and a glass of Bailey’s before you go?” What’s more, they’d boxed up any sexual tension. For now. What might have happened if her parents hadn’t been in the house was anybody’s guess. Morgan sensed a wavering on Ali’s part, but that was all. They hadn’t chatted in any depth. All she knew was if she lit a match in this room, it might go up.
Ali eyed her. Now the baking was done, there was no more distraction. Was she thinking the same thing?
“You’ve been promising me a mince pie all evening. I’d like two and a Bailey’s, please.” Ali paused. “So long as you warm them in the microwave for 15 seconds and serve them with cream.”
“I’m not a monster.”
Ali laughed.
Morgan’s heart swelled. How she wanted to keep that laugh in her life. Morgan wasn’t sure how she could negotiate that deal, but her mum’s mince pies were a good way to start.
She grabbed two from under their glass dome, heated them, and squirted whipped cream on top. It melted immediately.
In seconds, Ali was by her side. She bit into one pie, made a sound that Morgan would like as her new ring tone, then turned to face her. “You didn’t warn me your mum’s pies were a new religion.”
“Now you understand why I have to come home. Mr Kipling mince pies, while lovely, simply don’t cut it.”
“I might have to come round every day now on some flimsy pretext just to have one of these.” Then Ali winced. “Which isn’t what I should say after everything I said. I know that.” She blew out a long breath. “This is why I wanted us to have a break from each other. It’s been very intense over the past few days, and I wanted to get some distance.”
Morgan let her finish, and didn’t fill the gap in conversation. Instead, she let Ali’s words hang.
The surrounding air throbbed with red-hot uncertainty mixed with possibility. Morgan wanted to wrap them both in it, squeeze out any doubts Ali had. But Ali had to work it out for herself. Morgan couldn’t force her to do anything, no matter how much she wanted to.
Ali ate another mince pie, then gave a satisfied sigh. She licked a bit of stray pastry from her lip.
Morgan followed its trajectory. She’d never been jealous of some buttery pastry before, but she was now. Ali’s face was a work of art she wanted to stare at for days.
“Can I steal some to take home with my gingerbread stars?”
If Ali kissed her again, she could take the family jewels as far as Morgan was concerned. “Of course.” She paused. “Shall we go to the lounge for a quick Bailey’s?”
When they walked through the door, Ali gasped behind her. Morgan understood. Her parents’ lounge was like a picture-postcard of Christmastime. A fully decked-out tree with presents spilling out from under it. An enormous fireplace with six stockings lining it for her parents, her sister and brother-in-law, Morgan, and her upcoming niece or nephew. The fireplace itself was a work of festive art, topped with greenery, candles, pine cones and ribbons. What’s more, the log burner still burned, giving the room a gorgeous focal point and a warm glow. A large cream rug nestled in front of it.
When Morgan turned to look at her, Ali shook her head.
“I mean, I know places like this exist, but it’s normally in a magazine. Your housebleedsChristmas.” Ali walked over to the mantelpiece and breathed in the scent of pine. She ran her fingers across the top of some red ribbon, then looked up.
Morgan did, too.
A sprig of mistletoe hung over the fireplace.
She lowered her gaze. “Is that what I think it is?”
Morgan nodded. “Mistletoe.”
When their eyes met, something clicked inside Morgan. Something that hadn’t clicked before. In that instant, she knew she couldn’t let this go. That it was too important. Thattheywere too important. She had to fight. Shewantedto fight.
Ali stepped towards her, her gaze lasering Morgan’s skin with its intensity. She reached out an arm and pulled Morgan towards her.
