Page 69 of Not Just for Christmas

That was us. Sam and me.

I caught sight of myself in the mirror. I had the biggest smile on my face. I might be having a terrible day, but I wasn’t alone, I had Dylan. Doing his best to help me however he could. Starting with all the buttons on the back of this blouse.

‘Ta-dah!’ I came out of the bathroom and did a twirl.

‘I … I …’ Dylan stared at me and raked his fingers through his hair. ‘Just trust me, OK? I’ve gotta go, speak soon, buddy.’

‘Will I do?’ I walked towards him.

‘Beautiful.’ There was a tender look on his face that made my face heat up.

‘What about now?’ I pulled a goofy face to diffuse the moment.

‘Never change, Lucy Oakley.’ He shook his head, smiling.

I flipped round and lifted up my hair. ‘Could you do me up at the back, please?’

He stepped closer, fingers fumbling. ‘Man, these guys are impossible. How do you manage this by yourself?’

‘I don’t,’ I said simply. ‘I haven’t been able to wear it for a long time.’

‘Oh Luce.’ His fingers stilled for a second.

‘It’s no biggie,’ I said, my voice too bright, trying not to think of the last time I’d worn it. A rare date night with Jack two years ago. ‘I spend most of my time in jumpers anyway.’

‘All done.’ He squeezed my arms softly. ‘Hair next?’

I sat down at my dressing table and handed him my hairbrush. ‘Good luck.’

He gathered my hair, twisting it into a chignon. ‘Like this?’

‘That’s actually really nice,’ I said, staring at my reflection.

‘Don’t sound so surprised,’ Dylan laughed.

‘I’m hopeless at buns. My hair’s so heavy, it comes loose before I’ve even made it out of the house.’

‘You have beautiful hair,’ he said, tucking a loose strand behind my ear.

His fingers were soft against my skin. I hadn’t been touched by a man for so long that I’d forgotten how nice it felt.

I swallowed. ‘And you can do girls’ hair because?’

‘My sister did ballet when she was a kid.’ He let my hair slip out of his hands and fall to my shoulders. ‘Mom couldn’t make it smooth enough for Rachel’s liking, so I had to learn. Every Saturday for five years.’

‘I remember dancing with Rachel at a party once.’ I smiled dreamily. ‘She was so much fun, I remember wishing she was my sister.’

‘She likes you too.’ His face lit up as if I’d paid him a huge compliment. ‘I’ll pass it on.’

‘I forget you have a family like normal people,’ I said. ‘When I picture you, I think of you on stage, singing. Or on a beach …’ I stopped myself from saying surfing.

‘Think about me a lot, do you?’ He grinned at me in the mirror’s reflection.

‘Rarely,’ I teased. ‘Except when Sam asks about you. And I tell him you’re busy being famous.’

His smiled faded. ‘That makes me feel ashamed. I guess that’s why you invited me for the holidays, so he can get to know me better now he’s older.’

‘Kind of.’ I looked away quickly, willing my cheeks not to redden.