The Billionaire Who Bought Christmas
Page 42
She heard the bedroom door open and turned to see Jack approach the en-suite.
“Ready?” he asked through the doorway.
The second she heard his voice, the night before came flooding back in all its reckless, sensual glory.
She instantly realized she wasn’t ready to face Jack or anybody else.
“Kristy?”
She swallowed. Should she acknowledge it? Pretend she’d forgotten? Hope he’d forgotten that she selfishly went to heaven and back in his arms?
“Kristy?” he repeated, taking a couple of steps into the room. Then he stopped behind her, gazing for a long second at her reflection in the vanity mirror.
“Please don’t be embarrassed,” he finally said.
What else could she possibly be?
“You were beautiful,” he said softly, bringing his hands down to rest on her shoulders.
“I’m sorry,” she muttered, covering her face with one hand.
A smile came into his voice. “Well, I’m sure not.”
She dared to meet his eyes.
“Never,” he assured her. “Not even for a second.”
There was something comforting about his tone and his touch. She found herself relaxing.
“Besides,” he said, giving her a squeeze, “I don’t know if you noticed, but we’ve got bigger problems downstairs.”
So much for relaxing. “I noticed,” she said on a sigh.
“Then buck up,” he advised. “Because your in-laws are waiting.”
She nodded, finishing her lip gloss and chasing down a surge of butterflies that collected in her stomach.
She reminded herself they weren’t really her in-laws. She didn’t have to win them over for life. All she had to do was smile, nod and try not to spill anything.
Jack gestured for her to go first. “My mother’s name is Liza. My sister is Elaine. Then there’s my aunt Gwen and my cousin Melanie, Hunter’s sister.”
Kristy repeated the names to herself as they made their way along the hall and down the main staircase.
Garlands of fresh cedar adorned the railing and banisters. The charming scent filled the air.
A small group of people stood chatting in the great room. Hunter asked Jack a question as they walked through the door. Kristy could see Cleveland in a conversation in the middle of the room, a crystal tumbler in one hand, and Dee Dee parked by his feet. He was sporting a Santa hat, perched jauntily atop his head. Leaving Jack behind, she moved closer to Cleveland, then she crouched down slightly.
“Dee Dee,” she sang softly to get her dog’s attention.
Dee Dee raised her head, but didn’t come to her feet.
“He’s spoiled her,” came a female voice next to Kristy.
Kristy straightened and smiled at the young woman. “I may have to leave her here when I go.”
She was a brunette, twentysomething, and she arched a finely sculpted eyebrow. “You’re going somewhere?”
“London,” said Kristy easily. Then she held out her hand. “I’m Kristy Mahoney.”
The woman gave a gentle handshake. “Not Osland?”
Kristy shook her head.
“Well, I’m Elaine Osland. We appear to be sisters-in-law.”
“It’s good to meet you.”
“You, too.” Elaine took a sip of her martini, watching Kristy closely. “I hear it was a small wedding?”
“About as small as you can get.”
“In Vegas?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Out of the blue I take it?”
“It was a whirlwind courtship.”
“That’s not like Jack.”
“It’s not like me, either.”
“More like his grandfather.”
Kristy laughed, but it sounded nervous even to her ears. “Really.”
“I hear you’re into fashion design.”
“I am. And what do you do?”
Elaine waved a dismissive hand. “Let’s talk about you.”
Kristy paused. “I take it you’re the interrogation committee?”
Elaine had the good grace to grin sheepishly. “That’s because you haven’t met my mother yet.”
Kristy glanced around the room.
“In the green sequin jacket,” said Elaine.
The woman’s shrewd eyes met Kristy’s gaze, and Kristy quickly looked away.
“Any tips?” she asked Elaine.
Elaine chuckled. “Stand up straight, don’t let her intimidate you and always tell the truth.”
“Are there any electrodes or heart-rate monitors involved?”
“Only if you make her suspicious.”
“Suspicious of what?”
“Your motivations for marrying my brother, silly.”
“I had no motivations.”
“See, she’s going to wonder.”