How the Light Gets In (Cracks Duet #2)(49)

“Hey! I’m a great cook,” Conor protested, overhearing me where he stood chatting with his parents.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it,” I teased.

“Dylan’s actually doing most of the cooking,” Bridget replied. “I’ve given him a little guidance, but other than that I’m off duty.”

Speak of the devil, Dylan emerged from the kitchen wearing a green and red apron. I held back all the jokes I wanted to make, since we were in company and I knew I should behave. There was flour on the apron and I wondered what he’d been making.

His eyes landed on me first, his smile tender, and I remembered all the things he’d said to me in the car.

I might create them, but they’re all you.

Warmth suffused my body as he came and greeted us. “I see everybody’s met.”

“Yes, and we hear you’ve taken on the task of preparing the food,” Yvonne said. “How’s it going?”

“So far so good. I just finished the mince pies.”

Was it weird that I was aroused by the idea of him in the kitchen, cooking up a storm?

“Anyone for Baileys?” Conor asked and was met with a round of yeses.

“Let me show you both where you’ll be staying,” Dylan said, eyes on me. He pulled off the apron then led Yvonne and I upstairs. It really was a wonderful house. If Dylan ever decided to settle down, he should seriously consider buying the place.

Our room was on the second floor. It had a king-sized bed and a pretty antique vanity. I could just imagine some turn of the century lady sitting down to powder her cheeks.

“Wow, this is great,” I said and dropped my bag by the foot of the bed.

“The room is gorgeous,” Yvonne added.

“I’m just at the end of the hall,” said Dylan, like I needed reminding. Maybe he thought I’d sneak down there in the middle of the night. With the way I was feeling about him lately, it was a definite possibility. “And the bathroom’s just over here,” he went on, crossing the hallway to open the door to a nice-sized bathroom.

“Yeah, we remember,” I said, unsure why he was giving us the grand tour. We’d been up here before, though admittedly it was a while ago. Maybe he was just nervous. After our emotional heart to heart, I knew I was experiencing all kinds of intense feelings.

“Dad and Bridget are on the third floor, and Conor’s parents and Bethany are staying on the basement level.”

“You should’ve put us down there,” I chided. “We were the last-minute invite, after all.”

Dylan shook his head. “You haven’t seen the basement. It’s a separate little apartment with a door that leads outside. They’re staying until the 28th, so we thought it best they had their own space.”

Oh well, that made me feel a little better.

“Bridget seems nice,” I went on, curious about what he thought.

Dylan nodded. “She’s great. I like her. I was so worried she might be trying to use Dad for money or something, but she’s actually really lovely.”

I eyed him, dubious. “Because that’s the only reason anyone would be interested in your dad. You of all people should know he’s a catch.”

He narrowed his gaze, about to say something when he shook his head. “Nope, I’m not rising to it. You’re trying to rile me, I can tell.”

I smirked. “He’s in very good shape for his age. Isn’t he, Yvonne?”

“Oh yeah, a real silver fox,” she added, joining in.

Dylan put his hands in the air. “Still not rising to it. You both take your time getting settled. I’ll see you downstairs.” His eyes met mine briefly before he closed the door behind him.

Yvonne placed her bag up on the bed and pulled out a cardigan. She shook her head, smiling to herself. “You two.”

I shot her a look. “What?”

She sighed then levelled me with a fond expression. “He loves you very much, Ev.”

I looked away and busied myself looking around the room. Most of the drawers were empty, as was the wardrobe. When I didn’t respond she continued, “And you love him.”

I exhaled in exasperation. “Where are you going with this?”

“Just stating some facts. I’m not sure why you’re both dancing around one another when it’s obvious you should be together.”

Pot meet kettle.

I didn’t bother saying anything about her and Conor, because I’d already tried. She needed figure it out for herself. She pulled on her cardigan and went downstairs. I sat on the mattress, stomach turning over with butterflies as I thought about what she said. She was right about me loving Dylan, and I was certain he loved me back. What else could he have meant by telling me all his perfumes were inspired by me?

And why would he stare so deeply into my eyes and say he didn’t want to be with anyone else?





Chapter 16





When I finally went downstairs, there was a glass of Baileys waiting for me. I sat on the couch between Yvonne and Bethany, chatting for a while with Bethany about how she was studying nursing at college. I’d had to attend a few courses before I became Gran’s primary carer, so I could relate to a lot of the things she was learning about.

Dylan was mostly in the kitchen working on dinner. At one point he emerged, still wearing that ridiculously Christmassy apron. Our eyes met, and he walked towards me. He slid his fingers through mine and pulled me up from the couch.