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“It’s really not a big deal.” But the no big deal had her voice choking a little beyond what she was able to hide. Maybe her eyes really had watered.
“Christmas is just another day,” she continued, protesting a little too much perhaps. “I usually volunteer to work. I really don’t mind and really don’t need a ‘best ever’ Christmas.”
In years past, he’d volunteered to work as well so that others with children could be at home with their loved ones. He imagined he’d do the same this Christmas Day, too. His family all understood that he could be called away from celebrations at any time, but fortunately he’d always been at the family get-together for at least most of the day.
He loved the craziness of his family under one roof, of kids running around everywhere, shaking packages, wanting to know what Uncle Riley had bought them this year, and his mother warning that he’d better not have bought them anything that was going to cause a ruckus in her house. And, of course, he always did.
“My mom cooks a big Christmas lunch. My whole family goes. And I do mean the whole family. There’s a bunch of us—aunts, uncles, my mother, two brothers and two sisters, and more nieces and nephews than I can count these days.” He smiled at the thought of his family. “It’s a bit of mayhem, but in a good way. Maybe you’d like to go with me?”
Her gaze cut to his and a panicky look shone in her eyes. “Why?”
Why? Good question because Trinity going with him would raise all kinds of questions and expectations in his family’s minds. He’d never brought a woman home for the holidays.
“Because I’d like to take you with me.” Despite whatever teasing and questions her presence triggered, he knew he’d never spoken truer words. “I want you to spend Christmas Day with me, to be there with me and my family, to see what Christmas is really like.”
Because no way could she go with him and not be enchanted with the holidays.
Her eyes definitely a little misty, she sucked in a deep breath. “Like I said, I’ll probably be working, so I shouldn’t make any plans. Thanks, though.”
That was a cop-out if he’d ever heard one. Why was she being so stubborn when he was offering to include her in his life? Something past girlfriends had begged for. He was offering to take Trinity to his most important family get-together, one he cherished and had never risked an outsider disrupting, and she was tossing it back in his face?
“But if you’re not working, you’ll go?” He resented having to push when she should be happy to be invited, but he wasn’t going to let her be vague with her answer. She’d wiggle out of going if he let her.
“I’ll be working.”
He arched his brow. If having to work was all that stood in the way of her going with him, he’d find a way to get someone else to work in her stead. Even if it meant slipping someone a nice fat Christmas bonus out of his own pocket. He wanted Trinity with him and, as crazy as it was, he’d do almost anything to ensure she was. She needed to experience the magic of Christmas and what better way than with his family?
“Fine.” She relented at his look.
He could tell she was only agreeing because she didn’t think that whether or not she’d be working was an issue. She planned to work, would probably beg to work. A spark of annoyance flashed through him. Surely she didn’t think he’d let her get away with that?
“If I’m not working, I’ll go with you to Christmas dinner with your family.” She gave him a stern look. “But the next time you ask me out to dinner, there had better actually be food involved rather than shopping because, in case you couldn’t tell by looking at me, I’m not one of those girls who skips meals.”
He threw his head back in laughter. “Funny girl. You’re perfect just as you are, princess, and should never skip meals. No worries. I will feed you. Right after we buy your decorations.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
UHE LAST THING Trinity wanted in her apartment was Christmas decorations. She certainly didn’t want to waste her hard-earned money on glittery, glowing fake trees and wreaths and garlands. Just having to walk through the aisles of ornaments and bows made her skin crawl.
She fought the urge to throw her hands into the air and run out of the store. This was pure torture.
Telling Riley the truth about her childhood had been torture. Why had she done so?
She’d never told anyone. Not even Chase. She’d not wanted to see the look of pity in his eyes, hadn’t wanted anyone’s pity. She was doing just fine, had a good life overall. She didn’t need some man coming along and stirring up all kinds of childhood hang-ups to go along with the new ones Chase had hand-delivered two years ago.
She hadn’t liked the sympathy in Riley’s eyes. She didn’t need his sympathy. She hadn’t needed him to invite her to spend Christmas with his family out of pity.
“What about this?” Riley asked, pointing out a box of red glass balls. He’d already pointed out more than two dozen decorations, all of which she’d turned down. She could tell he was losing patience with her. Good. Hopefully, he’d soon take the hint that she really didn’t want to be doing this. Maybe she could fake a stomach growl to speed things along. She willed her stomach to let loose with a loud rumble, but didn’t even manage a tiny one.
Great, the one time she wanted loud body noises around a hot guy and she couldn’t even force one out. It figured.
Barely glancing at what he held, she shook her head. “No, thank you. Not interested. Besides, I really don’t need any decorations. Just dinner.”
“I’ve never met anyone who needs decorations more than you.” His frustration was obvious and rubbed her wrong.
“I think I’m offended by that comment.” She hadn’t asked him to take her shopping, had only agreed to dinner, not a stroll down holiday horror lane.
He raked his fingers through his hair, glanced around the aisle then faced her. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”
