His strained laughter made her heart do a wild flip in her chest. “To be fair, I bought the shirt before you made your conditions. But yeah, I imagine swimming with sharks would have been less terrifying.”
Gripping him tightly, she felt that strange glow start to spread within her. Whenever the feeling struck, she liked to imagine Kyle had somehow gotten inside her chest and lit more romantic candles there. “You get big points here. I love this shirt. I might need a few more because when I find a shirt I like, I usually buy more than one. Practical.”
“So you.” He kissed her cheek before swooping in for one of theirwhew, thank God the weird moment is overkisses.
She gave it her all, caressing away the tension in his back. “No one’s ever given me much, so it’s always a surprise, but I figure you get that,” she finally said when they eased apart. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He checked his watch. “Now, we really need to run.”
Grabbing her socks and boots, she rushed from the room. “Race you.”
He was laughing as he gave chase, which helped both of them fall back into an easier normal before they left for dinner.
On the way over, she caught him smiling out the window, an almost boyish grin on his face. She followed his gaze and spotted a well-dressed man walking a cute little dog. Was that the reason? She remembered him mentioning how he’d wanted one, as recently as when he was with Paisley. Huh. Something to think about…when her insides weren’t jumping with nerves.
When they got out of the Uber together later, she experienced a moment of panic. Everyone would notice they were arriving together…
But who was she kidding? She knew what her conditions had been, but the facts were undeniable. They were together,everyone knew, and despite the odd weirdness, they were happy. Her cooking was rock solid. Now she was wearing a shirt he’d bought her.
The sky hadn’t fallen.
While she wouldn’t say she was dancing on a cloud like Thea—because that was so not her—she was dancing to her own inner salsa beat. It was time to take another step. She grabbed his hand. He jerked in surprise, his head swinging toward her.
“This is me being brave,” she told him, putting on a tight smile.
He wove his fingers around hers, a huge grin spreading on his gorgeous face. “You don’t have to.”
“Your gesture deserved one in kind.” Someone buzzed them in, and she opened the gate. “Ready?”
“With you?” His blue eyes nailed her right in the center of her heart. “Always.”
Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed it in a stately way that reminded her of Sawyer, which had her chuckling. “I’m not laughing at you. I’m just glad you’re the one smooching my hand and not Doc.”
“Imagine Dean making this gesture.” He caressed her cheek as she playfully shuddered. “You’re smiling now.”
“I know.” She made a face. “Weird, right? Let’s go in before we get any weirder.”
When they stepped inside the house, Brooke immediately went in for a tight hug. Madison decided to give her a pass since the holidays had just passed, and all thatgood cheer, peace on earthstuff was still as common as candy canes and pine trees.
“You aren’t going to say a word?” she asked with an arch of the brow when Brooke finally released her with a soft smile.
“We’re so happy for you two, we don’t want to make youuncomfortable,” her friend said with a headshake so emphatic her blond hair shook too.
Madison lifted Kyle’s hand into the air. “I am holding Kyle’s hand, Brooke. You wouldn’t call that uncomfortable?”
“I love seeing it! Come inside. Everyone is here but Dean and Jacqueline.”
“That dog!” She glanced at Kyle, who only smirked. “Like we don’t know why.”
Brooke waved a hand. “I say, good for them. Maybe Axel and I will be late next time since everyone is keen on the round robin hosting.” She gestured to the coat closet. “Would you like to hang up your coats?”
“Sure.” Madison shrugged out of hers, freezing as Kyle helped her out of it. “Ah… That’s…nice. Thank you.”
Brooke pursed her lips, shoulders shaking like she was trying not to laugh. “Ah…new relationships. If you’ll excuse me a moment.”
Madison turned to Kyle. “Was that funny?”
“A little.” He hung up her coat alongside his. “Remember. These people are our family. They want us to be happy. If and when it gets weird, remember you have more ice cream waiting for you at home.”
