Chapter 3

3

DANIEL

December 23rd: The bach.

I pull into the driveway and park the car, steeling myself for the imminent interrogation. My sister’s staring out the window, eyes caught on Maddy, rapidly narrowing. Need to stop her before she ruins it all.

Maddy leaves the car and clutches her bag, shifting from foot to foot, looking unsure. Well, I can’t have that.

“Let’s grab the bags.” I wrap an arm around her and tuck her into my side. A whiff of vanilla invades my senses, and I barely stop myself from burying my head in her neck and inhaling.

My arm drops reluctantly when we reach the boot of the car and I open it, using it to cover us from Emma’s piercing glare.

Maddy’s eyes widen when she sees the bags stacked on top of each other crowding the space. “How much do you need for a few days?”

“When we’re celebrating a birthday and Christmas, a lot.”

The front door opens and I duck my head to reach Maddy’s ear. “Okay, follow my lead.”

Emma appears beside the car, brow furrowed, questions brimming in her eyes as she opens her mouth to speak, but I cut her off before she gets a word out.

“Emma! Told you I’d bring her.” I widen my eyes behind Maddy, attempting to signal Emma to play along with me.

Her eyes dart from me to Maddy, and her lips spread in a confused smile. “How are you, Maddy?”

“Good. Fine. How are you?” Her words rush together, but when I wrap an arm around her hips, she pushes closer to me and blows out a slow breath. I can’t help but swirl patterns on her hip.

“I’m good. Glad to be off work.” Her eyes scan us again, taking in the position of my hand and I’m worried about her next comment, but she decides to be neutral. “Are you excited for Christmas?”

“Sure.”

Emma snorts. “You’ve blown me away with your enthusiasm.”

“It’s her birthday tomorrow and I’m forcing her to celebrate it by dragging her here.”

“By kidnapping me,” Maddy responds.

“It wasn’t kidnapping.”

“Coercing me into your car and telling me you’re taking me home and then driving here against my will isn’t kidnapping?”

“No. It’s for your own good.”

“How is that not kidnapping?” Emma tilts her head towards Maddy. “Blink twice if you need help.”

“She was going to work on her birthday and didn’t have anyone to celebrate with.”

Emma winces. “That is bad. Why were you going to work?”

“My brother’s overseas, so I figured why not?”

“That’s depressing. Well, kidnapping or not, it’s time to relax. Are there groceries in there?” Emma asks.

“Yep.” I hand chilled bags to Emma and grab the rest before Maddy can take them.

She waits until Emma’s inside before rounding on me. “I can’t believe you have my rucksack. How did you pull this off?”

“The question is how you didn’t notice. Slightly concerning.”

“I wasn’t exactly expecting my friends to rob me.”

“Ah! You said friend. You can’t take it back now.” I drag her into a hug, careful not to hit her with the bags, and sway her gently back and forth.

She tilts her head to rest her chin on my chest and glares at me, but I don’t care. My arms are around her and her head’s on my chest.

“Slip of the tongue.”

“Don’t care. It counts.” My head ducks and I press a kiss to her cheek. Her soft and heated cheek, and it takes everything in me not to tilt my head and kiss her lips. But I control myself, release her, and stride to the front door. “See you inside, sweetie.”

Her scoff follows me inside, and I’m glad my back’s to her so she can’t see my grin. My sister does, though.

“Not a word. I’ll explain later,” I murmur. “Mum and Dad here yet?” I ask louder when I see Maddy enter the lounge.

Her bags are on her shoulder and she clutches mine in her hand. Warmth spreads through my chest. She probably doesn’t realise it’s my bag she’s holding, but it makes me feel good, imagining she thought of me.

“They’ve gone to get dinner.” She glances at Maddy. “They’ll buy enough for everyone.”

Maddy freezes and panicked eyes land on me as I take the bags from her and set them to the side. “Oh, I’m sorry to intrude. I can?—”

“You’re not. It’s Daniel’s fault for being useless.”

“But a nice surprise to see her beautiful face,” I say and watch Maddy duck her head.

“A lovely surprise.”

“Can I use the bathroom, please?” Maddy asks with a strangled voice.

“Up the stairs, first door on the left.”

I watch her disappear, and my eyes only leave her when someone slaps my arm. “Ow.” I rub my arm and find Emma with glee in her eyes.

“I can’t believe you finally pulled her. I thought for sure you would die alone.”

“Shut up.” I shove her towards the kitchen, away from the stairs and Maddy’s ears.

“How long has it been going on? I can’t believe you kept it a secret.”

I sigh heavily and put groceries away. “We aren’t really dating.”

“What do you mean? What’s with all the touching?”

“She thinks you guys think we’ve been together for six months.” I face the fridge, too terrified to see Emma’s reaction.

Emma swings me around. A frown mars her face. “And what gave her that idea?”

My cheeks burn. “I may have told her that.”

“What? How does that even come up in conversation?”

I shut the fridge and fill a glass with water. My throat’s dry and getting out the explanation is difficult. “I told her you were asking why I’m not dating anyone and I said I told you I was dating Maddy, so she needed to come today to make it look believable. Something about a bet we made.”

“A bet? I can’t believe you. Just ask her out.”

“No.”

“Why not?” she says sharply. “You’re lying to her and getting us to lie for you.”

“Because I don’t know if she wants that with me. I thought I’d see how this goes and then ask her out properly if it goes well.”

“That’s awful. I should drive her home.”

“She needs a holiday, and I want to celebrate her birthday. Her brother left the country and her friends are busy. She deserves to have fun on her birthday. The fact it’s on Christmas Eve shouldn’t factor in at all.”

“Why didn’t you invite her as a friend instead of lying and forcing her to pretend for you?”

A door closes upstairs. “Because I’m an idiot. Please text Mum and tell her.”

“What the fuc?—”

“Find everything okay?” I ask Maddy brightly.

“Yeah. Is there still stuff in the car?”

“I’ll get it.” And I escape the kitchen.

It doesn’t take long to grab the rest of the bags. They hold Maddy’s birthday presents and Christmas stuff for everyone. I set the birthday stuff beside the couch and everything else under the tree. Fairy lights add a soft glow to the lounge and bounce off the walls.

The others join me and I tug Maddy beside me, making sure she’s close. She shoots me a look, but I ignore it, especially when she settles deeper into the couch and leans on me. Her body’s warm against mine, her leg crossed over the other displaying bare skin her shorts don’t hide. If only I could run my hand up and down her thigh, but I think that would be pushing it.

Emma hands her a glass of wine and when she sips it, she sighs and wriggles around until she’s comfortable. Incidentally, pressing her thigh closer to mine.

I sling my arm around her shoulders. “Feeling relaxed?”

Her nose scrunches, but she can’t hide the humour in her eyes. “Maybe.”

“See, better already.” I snag her glass, sip the crisp wine, and hand it back to her. She huffs. “What? No one brought me alcohol.”

She drinks more and either forgets or doesn’t care that I drank from the same place as her. Tingles spread through my chest. If I kissed her now, we’d both taste like wine.

The door crashes open and my head whips to the sound. I was so engrossed in Maddy I didn’t notice Mum and Dad pull into the driveway.

“We’re back.”

“With pizza,” Dad says, coming into the lounge and putting it on the coffee table.

“I’ll get plates.” Emma rises and leaves the room.

I stand when Maddy does and take the glass from her when Mum approaches.

“Maddy, how wonderful to see you. How are you? How’s Oliver?” My mum enfolds Maddy in a hug and glares at me over her shoulder. When she pulls away and holds Maddy’s arms, she’s all smiles again.

“He’s good. About to get engaged.”

“How exciting. And Daniel finally brought you here. After everything he’s said about you. It’s good to see you again. I think the last time was when the company moved offices.” She sits across from us and Dad sits beside her, keeping silent.

“It’s been a while.”

“How’s the tattoo studio?”

“It’s good. This one’s forced me to close it.” She stabs a finger at my shoulder.

I glare at her and rub my abused skin. Her finger’s surprisingly sharp.

“I’m sure it’s for your own good,” Mum replies.

“Thank you! Told you.” I turn to Maddy whose nostrils flare and I laugh. She’s adorable.

Emma returns with plates, and we demolish the pizzas in record time. Wine is refilled and everyone relaxes.

Dad’s eyes twinkle as he turns to Maddy. “Maddy, are you joining us tomorrow for our annual cricket game to determine who the champion is?”

“Oh, no. I usually watch the games.”

“Liar,” I sing. She turns to me with pursed lips, and a smirk spreads across my face. No way am I letting her out of this. “I remember watching a very aggressive football game before you left uni.”

Her eyes widen when it dawns on her, and she laughs. “Well, she shouldn’t have pulled my hair.”

“No. And you’re joining us to determine who gets eternal glory.”

“Fine.”

I lean forward to whisper against her cheek, “You’re gonna lose.”

“You wish, corporate boy.”

“Like drawing pictures will help you.”

She smirks. “Means I’m good with my hands, no?”

I grin at her and nearly miss the hitch in Maddy’s breath. A small flush stains her cheeks, but it could be from the wine.

The conversation breaks off to gossip about the other families who have been on this street as long as us. We essentially grew up together, always here for the summer, always get a big update about their lives from Mum and Dad at Christmas.

This year I tune it out and focus on Maddy. She’s tired.

When she yawns for the third time, I decide it’s time for bed. She had a long day, and I don’t want exhaustion to interrupt her relaxing tomorrow. And I need her in top-notch form to demolish Emma at cricket.

“I think it’s bedtime.” I take the empty glass she’s barely holding upright and set it on the coffee table.

She rubs her eyes and sits up straighter. “No, I’m fine.”

“Come on.”

She glances at the others talking amongst themselves, and I click.

“Don’t worry about them. They’ll stay up for ages and probably put on an old cricket game.”

“I don’t want to be rude,” she whispers.

I lower my voice to match hers. “They don’t care if you’re tired and would rather sleep.” When she bites her lip and looks at the stairs longingly, I change tactics. “If you don’t stand, I’ll carry you.”

Her eyes snap to mine. “I’m up.”

“Thought so,” I say and cover my disappointment that I don’t get to carry her. To clutch her thighs and feel her head on my chest. Another time. Maybe at the wedding.

We stand and Mum waves at us while Emma says, “Good night. Let me know if you need anything, Maddy.”

“Thank you. Good night.” She hovers at the stairs, holding her bag to her chest.

Right. I never showed her my room.

Oh shit.

There isn’t a spare room.

There’s my parent’s room, Emma’s room…and my room.

I snag my bag and place a hand on her lower back to urge her upstairs. Away from everyone so I can break the news to her. Can’t believe I forgot. She’s about to hate me. My mind is spiralling too much to enjoy the feeling of my hand on her.

We reach the next floor and I take us left.

“Where am I sleeping?” she asks, and she must be too tired to realise, to not have clicked why we’re heading in the same direction. I remove my hand from her when I start sweating.

“Please don’t hate me.” I open the last door in the hallway and she steps inside.

She turns, and her eyes narrow when I follow her inside and shut the door quietly. “Why are you in here?”

I run a hand through my hair. “This is my room.”

“Okay, so why am I here? Where’s mine?”

I stay silent and wait as she connects the dots. And I know exactly when she does. Her lips turn down and she frowns, glances around the room, lands on me again, and gasps.

“You cannot be serious.”

“I am.”

“Daniel,” she hisses. “What the fuck?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think this far. I was too focused on getting you here. I forgot.” My words jumble together and my mouth is dry. Fuck. Why didn’t I organise something else? Or book our own place to give us some space.

“You forgot? How did you not realise?”

“I was distracted. I’m sorry. I’ll sleep on the floor or in the bathroom if you want. Whatever makes you comfortable.”

She huffs. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not going to make you do that. Just stay on your side, you dick.” She strides to the small attached bathroom, but whips around to face me. “And I swear to god, tomorrow better be the best birthday ever or I will steal your car and strand you here with your family.”

And with that, she slams the door shut and leaves me in the bedroom we’re both sleeping in tonight. In the same bed.

Double shit.

If I don’t sleep on the edge of the bed, away from her, I’ll drag her into my arms and wrap around her like the octopus she tattooed on me. Damn it.

I change while she’s in the bathroom and decide to wear a T-shirt, hoping it will make her more comfortable.

A few minutes later, she returns fresh-faced with her hair braided, but still in her shorts and top.

She stares at me perplexed. “Did you pack my bag?”

“No, Ella did. Is everything okay?”

“Yes.” She clears her throat. “She packed lingerie.” Maddy holds up a sheer red lacy thing.

I swallow thickly. “Oh.”

Must avert gaze before I imagine her in it with my hand fingering the strap, tugging it down her shoulder and revealing her nipples. Too late. Are they pink? Brown? Rosy? I don’t care.

“I don’t think our friendship is quite at the level of sheer lingerie yet, sweetie. Somehow, I doubt you’d want to see it.” She rolls her eyes and either doesn’t hear me or ignores my groan. “Can I borrow one of your shirts?”

“Of course you can.” I rifle through my bag to find the softest T-shirt I brought so it’s not rough on her skin.

I hand it to her and she closes the door again, leaving me too much time to imagine her in lingerie. At least Ollie isn’t here.

She strides into the room with her fresh face and braid, with the addition of my black T-shirt covering her to her thighs. Soft and cosy, as if we were a real couple getting ready for bed together. But if we were a real couple, I’d haul her on top of me, spin us around, and move down her thighs to give her a different birthday present than I’m planning.

That’s enough daydreaming tonight. I avoid her eyes as she gets under the covers and head to the bathroom. Seeing her products beside mine on the basin doesn’t help.

When I re-enter the bedroom, she’s lying down with the quilt barely covering her chest, her eyes following me as I walk closer and closer. Until I’m under the covers with her, at the edge of the bed, to remind myself this isn’t real.

She rolls to her side. Closer to me. “Another question. Why is all my skincare new bottles? You could have grabbed what I’m currently using.” She figures it out before I can answer. “Oh, but I would have figured out your plan. I hope Ella didn’t buy them?”

I clear the nerves from my throat and lock eyes with her. I say softly, “I bought them. Didn’t want you using weird stuff.”

Her eyes soften. She reaches her hand out and her thumb brushes across my cheek fleetingly before returning to her side.

“Thank you. My eczema would come back if I used your weird shit.” She smirks and then giggles when I shoot her a ferocious frown.

“Just because my skin doesn’t demand to be treated like royalty doesn’t mean it’s weird.”

She fake gasps. “Daniel can use the harsh products to save his youthful skin but uses three-in-one instead.”

“Wash your mouth. I’m more sophisticated than that.”

“Indeed. With your heavily fragranced products that suck the soul from your skin.” She settles on the pillow and tucks a hand under her head. There’s a faint smile on her face and I want to keep it there.

“How do you know my products have fragrance?” Red tinges her cheeks, and I can’t keep the glee from my voice. “Did you smell my products?”

“Maybe. But only to make sure you’re looking after your skin.”

I laugh and roll closer to her. “Shall I let you overhaul my skincare routine for your birthday present?”

She shrugs. “Your products would destroy my skin, but that doesn’t mean it’s ruining yours. Your three-in-one is doing all right.” Blue eyes scan my face. “Good night,” she says, and rolls over.

“Good night.” I flick the lights off.

Does she mean I don’t need to change my routine because she likes the way I look? Am I reading too deeply into this? Warmth spreads through my chest as I face her back, watching it rise and fall. The rhythm soothing.

Who cares? I’m taking it as a compliment.