Page 28 of Naughty Heart

I sent a shy smile his way.

Malcolm winked back.

It was the worst thing he could have done, because I couldn’t seem to focus on anything but that afterward.

Not wanting to look like a complete fool, and recognizing that Mina was likely waiting for a response, I found a way to speak. “I’m just grateful to be here, and I hope I can contribute something meaningful.”

“Well, if that’s the case, I have an idea for you,” she said.

“Oh?”

“Do you like the holiday season?”

“I love it,” I answered honestly, thinking this job might make it possible for me to get myself a small tree this Christmas.

Flinging her hand toward her brother, she advised, “Don’t let him keep things so gloomy here. Insist that he allow you to decorate both of your offices, so you can at least feel the festiveness of the season.”

I didn’t know how I would manage to decorate our offices if Malcolm didn’t have any such decorations, but the thought of it sounded wonderful.

“Alright, Mina. That’s enough,” Malcolm cut in gently.

“Fine, I’m going. It was very nice to meet you, Evelyn.”

“You, too.”

Mina turned, narrowed her eyes on Malcolm, and warned, “I think you should reconsider your plan before you get too far involved in something and make a big mistake.”

“I’ll consider myself warned.”

She smiled, looked back at me, and said, “See you later.”

“Bye.”

Once Mina walked away, Malcolm brought his eyes to mine. He held my gaze briefly before he pushed off the frame of the door, then made his way back to his office.

I lowered myself to my seat again, returning my attention to my work.

But I hadn’t gotten more than a minute into it when Malcolm was back in my office.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Here.” He held something out to me. My eyes dropped to what he was holding and widened.

“What is that?”

Malcolm jerked his head toward the exit. “It’s my card. I want you to take it and go purchase whatever we need to decorate, because I don’t have anything here.”

“I… um… what?”

“You said you like Christmas, so go get whatever you need to make it feel like Christmas in here,” he explained.

I shook my head. “Malcolm, that’s really nice of you, but it’s totally not necessary.”

“Evelyn?”

“Yeah?”

“Take the card.” His voice was stern, his tone indicating this wasn’t up for debate.