“Just another Marzinski Christmas.”

Joe came in the back door and let it slam behind him. “Never a dull moment.”

“They think I’m your girlfriend,” Rachel hissed through her teeth as she sliced vegetables for Christmas dinner. She was peeved that his entire family thought there was something between her and Joe.

“So what?”

How could he make light of the situation? “Joe, you’ll have to set things straight. It’s—”

“I’m having too much fun,” he said with a roguish quirk of his eyebrows. “Besides, what’s the harm?”

“I just met you last night!” Rachel sputtered.

“Well, we did sleep together.”

Rachel almost gasped but it turned into a gulp. She looked around the room to see if any of his family had heard. “That—We—All we did was sleep!” She wanted to wipe that silly grin off Joe’s face. “I was tired because of the baby, and you were supposed to wake me up.”

“Next time,” Joe said, suddenly serious as he closed in on her, “I will.”