Page 58 of Just Add Mistletoe
“Need help with anything?” Austin asked.
“You can grab the drinks,” Everly said. “We’ll carry the rest in.”
Lori pulled out her phone and sent a text to the group.I’ll explain more later.
They all gathered at the table, then began to pass around the food. The potluck was a success because the food choices seemed to all go together. Maybe not in theme, but Lori’s casserole paired well with Julie’s salad, the fruit platter from Stephenie, Ian’s potato salad, and Austin’s peach pie—the only decent thing he could make, he claimed.
Through it all, Lori was hyperaware of everything Malcom. What he said, who he talked to, when he looked at her, when he smiled . . . basically, his very presence. It wasn’t really a question if shewantedto date this man, it was if sheshould. Because, right now, right here, it seemed the perfect scenario. All of herfriends enjoyed being around him. But their hearts weren’t on the line—not like hers.
“THAT WAS FUN,” MALCOM SAID as they pulled away from Everly and Austin’s house. Conversations he’d had with the various people still played in his head.
Lori smiled over at him. “I’m glad you had a good time.”
He reached for her hand, and she linked their fingers. That was a good sign, right?
He’d held off on any PDA during the evening because he didn’t know what her answer would be. And even if she’d told him yes, he didn’t know how she felt about PDA. Malcom didn’t want to press his luck in any form.
“You have a great group of friends,” he said. “You’re lucky to have that.”
“I am,” she agreed. “I should be more grateful more often. I mean, I am grateful, but I also feel like I should be more involved. They do a lot of stuff without me.”
“You’re kind of busy,” he said, rubbing a thumb over her fingers. This was nice. Being a couple. Did she think so too?
Malcom had put his phone on silent all night, and he was sure he had several things to address. Right now, he just wanted to spend more time with Lori—without an audience. But he also wanted to make sure he gave her space. So he said, “Do you want to catch dinner tomorrow after your shop closes?”
She glanced over at him as they pulled onto the road leading to her shop. “I’ll have to play it by ear tomorrow. I’m working at my parents’ house, then I need to get ready for Turkey Day.”
“What’s Turkey Day?”
“It’s like a Thanksgiving Fair at the community center,” she said. “I’m doing a booth this year. We’re hosting a craft, and I’ll hand out holiday shopping coupons.”
“I’m happy to help with any of it.”
Lori looked at him in surprise. “You don’t need to—I mean, you have so much going on.” She paused. “Did you leave your trailer door open?”
“What?” Malcom frowned and glanced over at his trailer as he pulled up alongside the curb in front of Lori’s shop. Across the way, he could see lights blazing inside the trailer, and sure enough, the door was open. Wide open. “That’s weird. I didn’t leave on any lights either.”
“Something’s wrong,” Lori said quietly.
Malcom felt it too. Something wasn’t right.
“We should call the police,” she continued.
But he shook his head. “It could be one of the construction crew. Maybe I didn’t lock the door. They came in to ask questions, and forgot to shut the door after leaving.”
“Let’s hope it’s that innocent,” she said. “I’m coming with you to check it out.”
If Malcom was wrong, he didn’t want Lori going into the trailer. He had no idea what he’d find. “I’ll go check it out, then call you. You stay here.”
“Malcom, I’m coming,” she said, her voice firm.
He met her steady gaze. “Let’s drive over, and you stay in the truck while I go inside. Okay?”
He saw her waver, but she agreed.
By the time he drove the short distance, his pulse was pounding.It’s fine,he told himself. Just someone forgot to shut the door. He’d probably left it unlocked even though he always double-checked before going anywhere.
Leaving Lori in the truck, he headed toward the trailer. Before he even stepped inside, he could see the destruction, and his heart sank to the floor.