Page 13 of Christmas of Love

“And you’re not offering me any,” she said, patting my hands, still clutching the book. “So, who’s the fudge for?”

My cheeks reddened. “Hunter. You know, since he gave me a ride.”

Just saying his name gave me the butterflies. Just in the two times I’d spent with him last night, he’d seemed so… different. Friendly, even? I shook those thoughts right out of my head.

“Oh, right. Of course.” Her high-pitched giggle competed withSleigh Bellsfloating through my stereo.

“Strictly platonic, Millie. Don’t think I’m not onto you.” I could not give her or the other members any ammunition or they’d make the holidays a living, eating, breathing, matchmaking event. I’d been on the other side of this before. I knew what they were capable of.

I stared at Millie, not giving her the upper hand. “I just needed to get it to him before he goes back down to Madison.”

“Uh-huh.” Millie winked at me. “Well, I'd better be off. Jackson is waiting for me at the house, but I told him I’d bring him back a peppermint mocha.”

She wandered toward the door and opened it before turning around to look at me. “And Daisy, he is a really good guy who’s just had really bad luck with the women he chooses.”

I chuckled nervously. “I didn’t say anything.”

“You never would. Now, go put on that cute fuzzy sweater that hits your midriff and maybe those stonewashed jeans you have. His SUV is in the driveway, so I’m sure he’s home.” Before I had a chance to say a word, she closed the door, leaving me to contemplate my life’s decisions.

I watched the woman, nearly sixty years my senior, waddling down my walkway as if this was what she did every day of her life.

And come to think of it, maybe it was.

I glanced down at my flannel pajamas and scowled. Obviously, I wasn’t going to show up to Hunter’s in my flannel pajamas.

But I certainly hadn’t given any thought to what I was going to wear for the day.

Did it really matter?

I let out a groan.

This had to be why I was still single.

I was clueless.

No, I was single because I chose to be.

Maybe Millie was right, though. I could wear that sweater and just button up my coat so I didn’t freeze to death on the walk over to his house.

No, this was ridiculous. I was merely dropping off some fudge for a guy who’d done a favor for me.

The fudge would be set in about twenty minutes, which would give me plenty of time to shower.

Nerves flared through me unexpectedly, and I let out a huff of annoyance. Before Millie showed up, I’d planned on putting on a pair of sweats, delivering the fudge, and coming back home to decorate for Christmas.

Instead, she planted a little seed of something that I couldn’t shake.

Maybe it should matter what I wore to see him.

But why would it?

“Argh.” I stomped my foot and let out a chuckle as I made my way to my bedroom.

I ignored my closet, walked into my bathroom, and turned on the shower.

I wasnotgoing to be swayed by Millie or any other member of the Sunshine Breakfast Club. I was onto them.

All of them.