The front door to the apartment opened and in spilled Callie and Thea followed by Matt, who was laden with gift bags and wrapped presents. Thea held a giant cheese board, wrapped in plastic wrap and she seemed relieved when she put it on the counter.

They all exchanged hugs and kisses and Christmas wishes while Jules hung back. Then Callie shone her attention on Jules. “Oh, Jules! You look stunning! Stunn-ing! I love that dress! Happy Christmas!” Callie, who was at least a foot shorter than her in heels, somehow managed to wrap her up in a huge hug and all her shyness at being an interloper in their Christmas dissolved.

Callie stepped back. “We’re so glad you’re here. Don’t you just fucking love Christmas?”

Jules grinned back at her, riding the wave of Callie’s enthusiasm. “I do! I love it. Merry Christmas, by the way.”

Thea gave her a kiss on the cheek, less effusive, but just as warm as Callie, and they exchanged more Christmas greetings. Then there was no avoiding the obvious—she and Matt were next.

Her stomach fluttered as she met his eyes then quickly scanned him from head to toe.

When she’d first seen him a few days ago, she’d thought he was hot, but a little scruffier than the guys she usually went for. But this Matt … he was gorgeous. He was wearing a dark blue slim-cut suit, with a pale blue dress shirt—no tie—and his belt and shoes were the same deep brown. He was clean shaven, and his dimples punctuated a very sexy smile.

Jules could have sworn that the others were watching. When she glanced at Ash, she, Callie and Thea suddenly became very busy in the kitchen. “Merry Christmas,” he said.

“Merry Christmas.” Neither moved.

She saw him take in her outfit appreciatively and she silently thanked Ash. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. You too.”

“People will think we coordinated, though.” She cocked her head to the side, not knowing what he meant. He tugged lightly at his collar, and she realised that his shirt and her dress were the same colour.

“Ah, yes. I hate when you go to a party and someone is wearing the same outfit as you,” she said, smiling.

“Embarrassing.”

“Mmm.” She raised her eyebrows. “Even more embarrassing is that we both match the Christmas tree.”

She nodded in its direction and Matt threw his head back and laughed. “I didn’t even think of that.”

Jules held her hands out and shrugged. “What are you gonna do? This is the only formal dress I brought with me. For some reason, I had it in my head that an Aussie Christmas would be, like, super casual.”

“Nah, we like to put on a good show, you know?” Another expression to tuck up her sleeve. “It’s an incredible dress, by the way.”

“Thank you … again.” Flutter, flutter, flutter.

Then he stepped closer, leant down and kissed her cheek, his lips lingering just a little longer than a friendly peck. “We’ll have to get some pics together later,” he said, his face still close to hers. “For Chlo.”