Page 71 of Santa Baby

“Mason, what have you done?” I said into the phone, stifling an excited scream.

“So, you didn’t completely hate the carolers?”

I imagined him looking smug and proud of himself as he leaned back in his chair, probably still at his office across town.

“Um, that was a little shocking, to be honest.” I draped the dress over the couch to get a better look at it. “My neighbors loved it, but I’m pretty sure one of them has a picture of me in a bathrobe now.”

“You were in a robe?”

I nodded enthusiastically even though he couldn’t see me. “I’m getting ready now!”

“Why don’t I send Rex over to pick you up? You can get ready at my place. I’m about to head home anyway.”

“You’re leaving your office early?” I asked. “Who are you?”

“A man with a girlfriend, apparently.”

My heart stopped. I was sure his did, too. He cleared his throat, and I bit my lip. Nervously, I teased, “Who’s your girlfriend? I’d love to meet her.”

He chuckled, blowing out his breath. “I’m sure I’ll see her tonight. She’s supposed to be wearing this green gown with gold accents.”

I smiled to myself as I brushed my fingers through the beading. “Send Rex. I’ll have all my stuff gathered to get ready at your place in half an hour. I’m going to dry my hair really quickly. I’ll need your help getting into the dress, anyway.”

“He’ll be there soon.”

I had the sudden, overwhelming urge to tell him I loved him before I hung up the phone. It felt like the natural thing to do. But I didn’t. I bit down on my lip to stop myself from saying anything I’d regret.

Did I love him? Was that what this ache was? This all-consuming feeling in my chest whenever he was around?

It was something new, something I’d never, ever felt before. I used to tell Jake I loved him, sure, but had I? Had I ever felt like this for anyone other than Mason?

I quickly gathered a bag with my makeup and hair tools. I put the dress away and packed some clothes to sleep in, in the event I spent the night at Mason’s apartment, which I desperately hoped would be the case. I buzzed Rex up to my apartment exactly half an hour later, and he helped me carry everything down to the car. Before I knew it we were zooming off to midtown, the city a wash of snow and Christmas lights.

Tonight felt like the beginning of something.

I hoped I was right.

30

MASON

My breath caught in my throat as I stepped into the ballroom at Abigail’s historic mansion on Fifth Avenue. Houses like these always shocked me. Outside, it looked like every other Beaux-Arts, Gilded Era mansion, surrounded by modern skyscrapers and apartment buildings, but inside it was breathtaking.

Gaudy in the best way, a massive crystal chandelier sent sprays of golden light across the ballroom, highlighting the trees fanning the perimeter of the room. A fountain of champagne had a crowd surrounding it, everyone in the holiday spirit only a few days out from Christmas.

People began turning, eyes wide, as I entered the room. They weren’t watching me, though.

Fia took another step into the room, the light catching the beading on her dress. Her cheeks went pink, giving her a rosy glow. Her eyes swept the room before they landed on mine. I took her hand, squeezing her fingers.

“Everyone’s looking at us.”

“They’re looking at you.” I brought her fingers to my lips, brushing a kiss across her knuckles.

She held my gaze, smiling radiantly, and I led us into the party. I could take the credit for finding Fia’s dress. I’d been looking for a gift, something to celebrate our last official public event as a fake couple, and went to the shop, Vivaldi’s, where she’d bought the dress she wore to Deck the Decks. She’d made friends at that shop, apparently, because everyone knew who she was.

I had known the dress was the one the second I saw it. I didn’t bother to even look at the price tag. I was taking it home even if it drained my bank account.

Abigail spotted us from what felt like a mile away, despite her withering eyesight. Dressed in a deep crimson gown, she picked her way over, swinging her cane. She clicked her tongue at me as she looked me up and down, as if surprised by my presence even though she had, in fact, sent me an invitation and one for Fia, as well. Her eyes slid to Fia and lit up. The woman motioned to her dress.