Cinderella Christmas by Elda Minger Read Free Book Online Page B

been a start, but telling Nick the truth about why she presented herself the way she did had been an even bigger change.
    She liked the fact that she could trust him.
    Eve was locking her desk drawers and gathering up her purse and Maurice’s leash when Nick came striding out of his office.
    “Watson! Have any plans for tonight?”
    “Nothing I can’t rearrange.”
    “I want to get that new resort up on our website as soon as possible. I moved our reservations to tonight. We can drive up after rush hour, check in, spend the next two days touring the place and come back Sunday afternoon. I think that should give us enough time.”
    She nodded.
    “They’re dog friendly, so Maurice can come, too. They even have a dog masseuse on staff.”
    “He might be a little scared, but we could try it.”
    “I’ll pick you up at your place in an hour, does that give you enough time?”
    “I’ll be ready.”
    #
    Honesty really was the best policy. So Eve decided that, before Christmas, she was going to come clean with Nick. As embarrassing as it would be to admit that Darcy was a creation of her imagination and not a real person, she couldn’t keep Nick in the dark. He was a good man and it wasn’t fair.
    She’d bought some non-frumpy clothing, which now was packed into her small suitcase. Eve had packed for many trips with Nick before and she knew the drill. You had to bring a wide variety of clothing because you never knew how many amenities a hotel or resort offered. You had to be ready for anything.
    But tonight was a night for more changes. No more Miss Dowdy for her. While she wasn’t going to morph into a va-va-voom Jessica Rabbit, she was done with the carefully tailored version of her former life.
    Eve had dressed carefully in nice jeans, boots, and a pale blue cashmere pullover. The last thing to go would be the minimizer bra. Her girls had gotten her in trouble in the first place, and old habits died hard. But she had a feeling that even this last piece of lingerie would go before the New Year.
    She was zipping up her suitcase when the doorbell rang and Maurice began his frantic barking. Eve’s heart started pounding and she wondered why having Nick see her townhouse apartment was so nerve wracking.
    She’d revealed more to her boss in the last few days than ever before – except for her one night as Darcy. But somehow, letting him into more of her life as just herself felt – right.
    Eve grabbed a wriggling Maurice and opened her front door. Nick stood there, his dark hair windswept, a jacket on over his pullover and jeans. He’d always dressed casually for their trips, while she’d stuck with her PA apparel.
    Not any more.
    His dark eyes widened slightly as he took in her new look.
    “Once again, Watson, you astonish me.”
    She let him inside and ushered him to the couch. “I just have a few more things to get, then we’re out the door.”
    “One of the things I’ve always liked about you, Watson. You’re one of the only women I know who can get ready in a hurry. You’re a spur of the moment kind of woman.”
    You can say that again.
    “If you can snap on Maurice’s leash, he won’t be such a pest.”
    “He’s fine. Take your time, make sure you have what you need. Don’t forget a bathing suit, I hear the indoor pool is state of the art.”
    “I’ll have to dig it out, I’ll just be – “
    “Go.” He motioned upstairs and she raced up to her bedroom.
    #
    “So, buddy,” Nick said, looking down at Maurice. “Ready for a little trip?”
    Maurice yapped happily, then snorted as Nick scratched his head.
    “Anything you’ve forgotten?”
    The bulldog jumped off the couch and ran over to the door of the downstairs closet. Snorting happily, he began to dig frantically at the carpet.
    “Whoa, boy, I don’t think Eve wants you tearing that up! What’s wrong, did you leave one of your toys in there?”
    Nick opened the closet door and the puppy raced in. When Maurice came back out into the