Susan Carlisle - Hot Docs On Call - His Christmas Wish

“Sounds wonderful.”

“YOU LOOKED AMAZING TODAY,” Cecilia told her as she ran a makeup pencil over McKenzie’s brow with the precision of an artist working on a masterpiece.

“Thanks to you and the fabulous work you did getting me ready for the mayor’s float,” McKenzie agreed, trying to hold perfectly still so she didn’t mess up what her friend was doing to her face.

“I have to admit, I had fun. Then again, I had a lot to work with.”

“Yeah, right,” McKenzie snorted. “Let’s just hope you can pull off another miracle for tonight, too.”

“For your work Christmas party?”

“Yes.” She cut her eyes to her friend. “What did you think I meant?”

“You’ve never asked me to help doll you up in the past for a mere work party.”

“This one is different.”

“Because of Lance?”

Because of Lance. Yes, it seemed that most everything this week had been because of Lance. Lots of smiles. Lots of hot kisses. Lots of anticipation and wondering if tonight was the night they’d do more than “mouth-to-mouth.”

“I suppose so. Can’t a girl just want to look her best?”

“Depends on what she’s wanting to look her best for.”

“For my party.”

“And afterward?”

“Well, I’m hoping not to turn into a pumpkin at midnight, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“No pumpkins,” Cecilia promised. “Wrong holiday. But what about that mistletoe this morning?”

“What about it?”

“You’ve gone to dinner every night this week, ridden on a Christmas float with him, and you are going as his date to the Christmas party. That’s big, McKenzie. For you, that’s huge. What changed?”

“Nothing.”

“Something has to have changed. You were saying no to the guy left and right only a week ago.”

“You were the one who said I was crazy for not going out with him.”

“You were crazy for not going out with him. He seems like a great guy. Lots of fun, hot, and crazy about my bestie. I like him.”

“You’ve only been around him twice,” McKenzie reminded.

“During which times he helped save a man’s life and made you laugh and smile more than I’ve seen you do in years.”

There was that.

“I was in character.”

“Yeah right.” Cecilia threw McKenzie’s words back at her. “If I’d been you, I’d have used that mistletoe for more than a kiss on the cheek.”

“I’m sure you would have.”

“But you didn’t need to, did you?”

“I’m not the kind of girl to kiss and tell.” Which was hilarious because Cecilia had been her best friend since before her first kiss and she’d told her about pretty much all her major life events. Plus, she had already told Cecilia that she and Lance had kissed.

Cecilia leaned back, studied McKenzie’s face, then went back to stroking a brush across her cheeks. “Even if you hadn’t already told me that you kissed Lance on the night of the Christmas show, I’d know you had.”

“How would you know that?”

“I can tell. The same as I can tell that, despite our conversation the other day, what you still haven’t done is have sex with him.”

Could Cecilia see inside her head or did her friend just know her that well?

“And how is it you know that?”

Cecilia’s penciled on brow arches. “Am I wrong?”

“No,” she admitted. “I’ve not had sex with him.”

Not that he’d made any real plays to get into her bed. He hadn’t. Which surprised her.

“The tension between you two is unreal.”

“Tension? We weren’t fighting today.”

“Sexual tension, McKenzie. It’s so thick between you two that you could cut it with a knife.”

There was that. Which made his lack of pushing beyond their nightly kisses even more difficult to understand.

“I see you’re not denying it.”

“Would there be any point?”

“None.” Cecilia leaned back again and smiled at what she saw. She held a hand mirror up for McKenzie to see what she’d done. “Perfect.”

McKenzie stared at her reflection. Cecilia had done wonders with her face. McKenzie rarely wore more than just mascara and a shiny lip gloss that she liked the scent of. Cecilia had plucked, brushed, drawn and done her face up to the point where McKenzie barely recognized the glamorous woman staring back at her. “Wow.”

“How much do you want to bet that when Lance sees you he’ll want to forget the party and just stay here and party with you?”

“Not gonna happen.” Not on her part and, based on the past week, not on his part either. But anticipation filled her at the thought of Lance seeing her at her best. “Help me into my dress?”

“Definitely. I want to see what underwear you’re wearing.”

McKenzie’s face caught on fire. Busted. “What?”

“You heard me,” Cecilia brooked no argument. “I’ll know your intentions by your underwear.”

McKenzie sighed and slipped off her robe.

Grinning, Cecilia rubbed her hands together. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

“This doesn’t mean a thing, you know.”

“Of course it doesn’t. That’s why you aren’t wearing granny panties.”

McKenzie stuck her tongue out at her friend. “I never wear granny panties.”

“Yeah, well, you don’t usually wear sexy thongs either, but you are tonight.”

“Works better with the material of my dress. No unsightly panty lines that way.”

Cecilia had the audacity to laugh. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“Fine. I will. Think what you like.”

Cecilia laughed again. “Here, let’s get you into your dress, let me do any necessary last-minute hair fixes, and then I’m out of here before Dr. Wonderful shows up.”

“He’s not that wonderful,” McKenzie countered.

“Sure he’s not. That’s why you’re a nervous wreck and wearing barely-there panties and a matching bra.”

Cecilia laughed and slid McKenzie’s sparkly green dress over her head and tugged it downward.

“A real best friend wouldn’t point out such things,” McKenzie pointed out to the woman who’d been a constant in her life since kindergarten. “You know, it’s not too late to trade you in for a less annoying model.”

Cecilia’s loud laughter said she was real worried.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look?”

“Only about a dozen times.” McKenzie ran her gaze over Lance. He had gone all out and was wearing a black suit that fit so well she wondered if it was tailor-made. He’d washed away all traces of his Christmas parade costume. His hair had a hint of curl, his eyes a twinkle, and his lips a constant smile. “Have I mentioned how handsome you look in your suit?”

“A time or two.” He grinned. “I’m the envy of every man in the building.”

“Hardly.”

“It’s true. You look absolutely stunning.”

“Cecilia gets all the credit. She’s the miracle worker. I sure can’t pull off this…” she gestured to her face and hair “…without her waving her magic wand.”

“Your fairy godmother, huh?”

“That’s what I’ve called her this week.”

“She’s definitely talented,” he agreed. “Then again, she had a lot to work with because on your worst day, you’re beautiful, McKenzie.”

“That does it. No more spiked Christmas punch for you.” She made a play for his glass, but he kept it out of her reach.

“Is the punch really spiked?”

“It must be,” she assured him, “for you to be spouting so many compliments.”

He waggled his brows and took another drink. “I don’t think so.”