The Boss's Marriage Plan (Proposals & Promises 2)

“That’ll be fine. It feels kind of strange to work around two family schedules for Christmas, huh?”

“It does. My social calendar was much busier this year than usual.” Fortunately her family celebrated together on Christmas Eve, while his gathered for a big Christmas Day lunch, so the traditions hadn’t overlapped.

“Mine’s been packed, too,” he said. “But I’m not complaining. I’ve enjoyed the past weeks with you.”

“So have I,” she said.

Had he heard something a little odd in her voice just then? He wished he could see her face. He wished he could touch her. Kiss her. The intensity of the hunger that shot through him so unexpectedly shook him. It had only been a few hours since he’d seen her, but here he was missing her as if it had been days.

“Tess? We can have as big a wedding as you’d like, but I’d like to put it all together fairly quickly. I don’t know about you, but I’m hoping for a short engagement.”

She hesitated only a beat, as if surprised by the abrupt change of subject, then replied, “I don’t need a big wedding. Family and a few close friends are all I really want to be there.”

“That sounds about perfect to me. The sooner the better.”

“We’ll talk about it.”

“It’s late. I’m sure you’re tired. I’ll see you tomorrow—though maybe only for a few minutes at a time.”

“Okay. Good night, Scott.”

The pause then felt oddly heavy, as if she was waiting for him to say something more, while he felt as though there was something he should say. He settled for “Sleep well.”

And then he disconnected, feeling vaguely unsatisfied with the call’s conclusion.

Don’t screw this up.

Why did he feel the need to keep saying that to himself?

Chapter Ten

Christmas Eve was a great success so far, at least where Scott was concerned. For the first time, Tess had brought a bag and had spent last night at his house, a momentous occasion for both of them though they hadn’t expressed it in so many words. They’d made dinner together in his kitchen, then watched a Christmas movie afterward while her pear tarts for the next day baked in the oven. They’d held hands during the movie like giddy teens in a theater. Afterward, she’d stashed the tarts in the fridge, playfully slapping Scott’s hand when he tried to pinch a few. She had distracted him easily enough from the Christmas sweets by enticing him into the bedroom. It had been quite a while before they’d fallen asleep.

They’d talked of wedding plans that afternoon, and they’d agreed that a spring ceremony in his parents’ sprawling backyard would suit them nicely. It was where Jake and Christina had exchanged vows, and Scott said theirs had been a very nice little wedding. Eli and Libby had married in the big Catholic church in which she’d grown up and had treated themselves to a lavish celebration with a couple hundred guests. Also nice, Scott had admitted, but not to his taste. He’d been relieved, but not particularly surprised, when Tess had heartily concurred.

Now, as it grew closer to time to leave for her sister’s house, Tess donned the red dress she’d worn to the Holiday Open Home, and he was still struck by how good it looked on her. “You got your money’s worth out of that dress,” he assured her, looking at her in the mirror as he fastened his tie. “It’s really pretty.”

“Thank you. Sorry about the tie. Nina insists on fancy dress for her Christmas Eve meal.”

He chuckled. “I don’t mind. But tomorrow we get to be comfortable. My family’s not nearly so formal.”

“No surprise. I’m crazy about your family, by the way.”

He grinned in pleasure. “Thanks. They feel the same about you.”

It was all going so well, he thought in satisfaction. He must have misinterpreted whatever funny tone he thought he’d heard in her voice the other night. She seemed perfectly content with him now, visibly enjoying their time together. If there were moments when he caught her studying him with an expression he couldn’t quite interpret, fleeting impressions that she was waiting for something he couldn’t explain—well, this was all still very new for both of them, he assured himself. It was only natural that it would require a bit of adjustment on both their parts.

When they were dressed in their finery, he asked her to wait a moment in the living room before they left. They’d already loaded his car with the gifts and baked goods they were taking to her sister’s house, so all they had to do was collect their coats and her bag. She looked at him with a question in her expression.

“Have you changed your mind about going?” she teased, obviously knowing he hadn’t.

Still, he gave an exaggerated shudder. “And risk Nina’s wrath? I wouldn’t dare.”

She laughed. “Well, as least you’re getting to know my sister. Since she’s going to be your family, too, now.”

“I can deal with your sister.”

“Right.”