Page 47 of Christmas With the Jerk

“I’ll think about it,” I reply, cutting into my waffle.

We eat in a comfortable rhythm, talking about the storm and the chaos of the last few days. Thorne brings up the bombing, both of us still shaken by how close we were to it.

Riding the elevator down earlier, I scanned through an update on my phone. The investigation into the bombing had progressed. It wasn’t Faber-Ward, my father’s company, who planted the bomb. Instead, it was retaliation against them.

It appears it was a group trying to send a message, taking aim at the airline because of its ties to Faber-Ward. Apparently, the bomb had been intended to disrupt services, not cause casualties. But no matter the intention, the recklessness of it all makes my blood boil.

I get why they did it, why they hate my father's company. I’m right there with them. But violence? It’s never the answer, no matter how righteous the cause.

I look away, as we continue to talk about it. “People could’ve died.” This is the part that really gets to me.Icould have died because of what he is doing. “How does one wrong right another?”

Thorne nods, his expression hardening. “It could have been so much worse. I can’t imagine how it must be affecting you, knowing it is tied to your father’s dealings.”

My stomach twists at the thought of all of it.

“It just reminds me of why I want nothing to do with them,” I add quietly. “What’s scary and maddening is that even though I’m completely cut off from them, his dealings still have the ability to impact me, to seep into my life and possibly harm me.”

Thorne squeezes my hand, pulling me back from my thoughts. “You’re nothing like them.”

I exhale, trying to shake off the unease. I’m ready to change the subject. If I never have to think about that again it will be too soon.

“I wonder how the little girl from yesterday is doing?”

Thorne nods, his fork pausing midair. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about them too. That whole situation was so scary. I’m so glad she was found safe. Hopefully it was a lesson for all of them and they can put it behind them to enjoy the holiday.”

There’s a sense of relief in knowing the worst of the storm has passed, but the conversation continues to remind me of all of the tough things we have been through in these few days. It feels good to talk, even about the hard things.

Oddly enough, being stuck here doesn’t seem like a burden anymore. There's no rush, no pressure to be anywhere but here.

Thorne stretches back in his chair after a while, looking more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. “This isn’t the worst place to be snowed in. And, the company’s not so bad, either.”

I smile, nodding. “No, it’s not. Especially now that things look like they are working out. Now, we just need to get Thom into the office today and then catch a flight out.”

He raises his coffee mug in a mock toast. “To rescheduled pitches and happily-ever-afters.”

I clink my glass of orange juice against his coffee cup, chuckling. “Amen to that.”

Just then, the little girl from yesterday walks by holding her mother’s hand, her bright eyes locking onto Thorne. She smiles widely and waves enthusiastically, her tiny hand flapping in the air. It looks like they are heading toward the exit, maybe it is finally safe for them to head home.

Thorne gives her a warm wave back, a small grin tugging at his lips. Her mother smiles gratefully at him, mouthing a quiet “thank you” as they pass. My heart softens at the sight, and I glance over at him.

“You jumped into action so quickly yesterday,” I say, my voice soft. “You are the superhero, you know?”

He shrugs, a modest smile playing on his face. “She was scared. Anyone would have done the same.”

But the thing is, not everyone would have. It was freezing out there, the wind was howling, the snow was coming down in sheets and he took charge. When he learned she walked out in that weather, there was zero hesitation.He knew he had to go out there to find her.

My hunch has been growing, but that’s when I realized there’s more to Thorne Chilton than the gruff, arrogant exterior he wears. Underneath it, he’s someone who cares deeply about others.

Before I can say anything more, my phone buzzes on the table. I pick it up, seeing a text from Thom. My heart skips a beat as I unlock the screen and read the message.

At least three of us, including myself, can make it into the office by 4 today. The roads should be clear by then. Can you two make it work? Apologies for the late time, but safety first. Let me know.

I glance up at Thorne, excitement bubbling in my chest. “Looks like we’ve got a meeting today!”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Today?”

“Yeah, four o’clock. Thom and at least three others can make it in. Hot damn! Let’s go close this shit!”

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