"You actually wore it!" greeted Richard Castle as he opened his door to Beckett, a slightly embarrassed smirk on her face.
"Well," she hesitated. Words escaped Kate Beckett as she struggled to explain herself. She wasn't about to tell Castle the truth: that she was utterly delighted he was trying to bring such fun and happiness to her life. No, that would give too much away.
The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled down at her. His smile was contagious. She couldn't help but give him a genuine smile in return.
"Castle, are you going to let me in?"
They had been standing in the doorway. His hand still on the door, holding it open just enough so his body inhabited the space between the door and the frame. She couldn't walk through until he moved.
"Yes," he stumbled, "your ensemble distracted me". He motioned up and down her body as he said this.
Beckett stood in the doorway in black leggings and a white long-sleeved V-neck. This wouldn't have been as eye-catching had she not topped off her outfit with bright red socks—spotted with triangular Christmas trees—pulled up over her leggings and stuffed into tan moccasin slippers and an oversized red sweater vest decked out with embroidered nutcrackers and colorful Christmas lights. The vest: Santa's gift. Beckett was thankful the lights on the vest didn't actually turn on.
