Wrapped in You by Kate Perry Read Free Book Online Page B

late.”
    “Hot date?” Gwen asked slyly, setting her tools down and standing to walk her out.
    She hoped, which was idiotic, because she should be keeping her distance from him. She was playing with fire. She glared at the scarf as she rewrapped it around her neck.
    “I’m glad you stopped by, even it if was like a drive-by,” Gwen said, opening the door. “I’m sure I’ll see you at Eve’s, but come by any time. You’re always welcome.”
    The woman meant it. If Trudy didn’t know better, she’d have thought Gwen viewed her as a friend.
    She felt something peculiar in her chest. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a girlfriend. Walking toward Mason’s, she tried to figure out how she felt about it. She wanted to think she didn’t need anyone, but underneath she had to admit it felt kind of nice. She was still thinking about it as she rang Mason’s door.
    “I got you something,” Mason said the moment he opened the door for her.
    Trudy groaned as she entered, but on the inside she warmed. Taking off her scarf and jacket as she followed him up the stairs, she said, “Tell me it’s not Santa socks or, worse, a sexy elf costume.”
    Mason glanced over his shoulder. “Would you wear a sexy elf costume?”
    She arched her brow.
    “It never hurts to ask, but, no, that’s not what I got you.”
    She couldn’t imagine what it’d be—she was here to bake gingerbread cookies. Normally, she didn’t cook at all, much less bake, but she’d been impatiently looking forward to this all day. When she’d gone in for her latte, even Eve had commented on how Trudy kept checking the time.
    He led her into the kitchen and picked up two boxes stacked on each other. “I got two things, actually.”
    She glanced between the smaller box and the larger one. “Do I get any clues?”
    “This one”—he handed her the big one—”is to wear to the holiday party. Because you don’t handle surprises well, I’ll tell you it’s a dress.”
    “Oh. Thanks.” Her heart deflated, and dread settled in the pit of her stomach as she accepted it. No one had ever given her anything that came close to suiting her. Her parents had known her forever and still couldn’t get it right. The last article of clothing given to her had been from her mother, and it’d been a blue knit dress, which was lovely but not her at all. She’d sent it to Matilda, who’d been thrilled to receive it.
    Mason nodded at the box. “Aren’t you going to open it?”
    “Maybe later.” She set it aside, wishing she could rewind the past few minutes and start it over, minus the gift.
    “Well, you have to open this one right away.” He shook it at her, and it made a tinkling rattle. “It’s integral to our goals for the day.”
    Sighing, she took it and tore the wrapping off. Ninjabread Men Kit , she read. She looked up at him in question.
    He shrugged. “You’re obviously not the gingerbread man type.”
    She hugged the box to her chest. “I’m not?”
    “Ninjas are your spirit animals. Any fool would see that, and my momma didn’t raise no fool.” He tossed her an apron. “You’re dawdling. Let’s get baking.”
    Shaking her head, she set the ninjabread kit on the counter, away from the dress, and shook out the apron. Before tying it around herself she looked at the front. It had two chess knights facing each other. One had a gag over its mouth; the other had holes shot through it. The caption underneath read: Silent Knight, Holey Knight.
    She snorted.
    “I knew you’d like that,” Mason said as he tied his apron around him. His had an owl wearing a Santa’s hat with “Owl I want for Christmas is you” written under it. He smiled when he saw her reading it. “I ordered them when I ordered the cookie cutters. We don’t want to get messy.”
    “Right.”
    He held out a piece of paper. “The recipe. You want to be in charge?”
    “Of course.” She took the paper and read the first instruction. Sift the flour? What