Page 35 of Prospect Year
She smiled and lifted the material to her cheek. She lifted her hand. “Thank you,” she signed.
Mia jerked from Lola and toward the door as it opened.
“Knock, knock,” a female voice called out.
He felt Mia tense up and jerk the gift to her chest.
“Just walk inside,” Mac demanded from the other side of the door.
Lola dropped his head with a shake as he listened to the couple banter.
“I can’t just walk in. What if he’s not decent?”
“The door’s open, walk in. And you sure wasn’t concerned about decency earlier today.”
“Mac!”
“Come in and shut the door,” Lola called out. “We’re right here,” he yelled again when they were both inside and removing their coats. “You guys on the wrong side of town, aren’t you?”
“Merry Christmas,” Lorelei greeted, holding a covered dish. “I brought some sweets.”
And my dad. He glanced toward Mia. They do have that parent timing down pat. “That was thoughtful,” he told Lorelei.
“I wanted to call. Are we interrupting?” Lorelei asked.
“You’re welcome anytime. No need to call,” Lola told her, then cocked his head toward Mac. “I don’t think I really have a choice, do I?”
“No. Wasn’t taking the chance of you avoiding me. So, here I am.”
Probably a good thing. Lola stood and pulled Mia to her feet. He slipped his fingers through hers and together they joined Mac and Lorelei. Not his plans for the day, but he had to admit, he wasn’t mad about it. Not really. Since their confrontation at the clubhouse, Lola had stopped judging Mac as harshly. But there were times when the resentment demon would raise its ugly head, causing Lola to pull back for a day or so. But he would struggle through and move on.
As the day came to an end, the house once again became quiet and dark. Lola showered, and with only a pair of joggers on, he eased from his room to check the house and grab a drink. Reaching the top step, he caught a glimpse of movement in the faint glow of the Christmas tree lights. Mia, in her new nightgown, sat against the wall, watching the twinkling and blinking of the lights. Quietly, Lola walked over and slid down the wall next to her. He draped his arm around her, and she leaned into him. Together they sat in silence.
This is what Christmas is about. He dropped his head to rest on hers. He wouldn’t change anything of the day. Not even his father showing up.
Chapter 16
Mia sat on her bed talking with Amber. It had been just another day of puttering around the place and keeping herself busy until this afternoon. The two of them had grocery shopped and retuned home with pizza to watch a chick flick. Mia switched off the television and Amber gathered the pizza box and paper plates.
Mia jumped at the sound of someone at her door. She hadn’t heard anyone come in the house.
The door eased open, and Lola leaned against the door jamb. “Well, damn. Thought I may catch some skin going on in here.” He flashed them a lopsided grin. “Isn’t that what a girls’ night is? Drink until the clothes fall off while dancing and comparing stories?”
“What would you know about girls’ night?” Amber questioned, sitting in the middle of the bed with her legs crossed.
“Not a thing. That’s why I’m crashing it,” he told her, grinning.
“Maybe we’re talking about you,” Amber shot back.
His smile grew cocky. “Then carry on. I’m here for the sampling.” He threw his arms to the side, then cocked his head. “Unless you two are planning to sample the goods together. In that case, I suggest we take the party to my room. That way, you can just leave me passed out in my bed when you’re done with me.”
Mia shook her head, and glanced toward Amber who rolled her eyes.
Lola leaned over the bed toward her. His finger glided up the bottom of her foot sending shivers through her body. “So, you want me in your bed,” Lola teased.
Amber pushed him away from Mia with her foot and he laughed. “Fine. I’ll go to bed alone and dream about you.” Straightening, he turned toward the door.
Mia tapped Amber’s knee and signed “stay”.