Page 16 of Unwrapping Romance

“No, he didn’t. He’s deducting it from my paycheck. He said he couldn’t have his assistant homeless.”

“Well, I guess that was nice of him. Maybe he isn’t so grinchy after all.”

“Oh, no. He is. Trust me.”

“Well, so are you. You’re two peas in a pod. Can I go back to bed now?”

“Yes. Go on. We’ll talk tomorrow. Night. I love you.”

“Love you too. Night.”

As I was getting ready for work the following morning, my mind wouldn’t stop thinking about last night. I was early enough because I couldn’t sleep, so I stopped at Starbucks on my way to work for a coffee. When I walked in, I saw the dreaded holiday cups had arrived.

“Morning, will you be trying one of our holiday drinks?” The overzealous barista smiled.

“God, no. I’ll have a Grande macchiato with an extra shot of espresso.”

“Name, please.”

“The name is Sierra, and you can put her coffee with mine. I’ll have the same thing she’s having.” I heard Jack’s voice from behind.

Turning around, he stood there staring at me, looking as sexy as hell in his dark blue tailored wool-blend coat with specks of snowflakes in his hair. He pulled some cash from his wallet and handed it to the barista.

“You don’t have to buy my coffee. And what are you doing here?” My brows furrowed.

“I’m buying your coffee. You can buy mine next time. I’m here for the same thing you are.”

“Two macchiatos for Sierra,” the barista spoke, setting our cups down.

Jack and I picked up our coffees and stared at the cup.

“Already? Fuck,” he said.

“My thoughts exactly.”

“Gotta love this snow,” Jack sighed as we left Starbucks. “It’s too early for this shit, and it only amplifies everyone’s holiday spirit.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Did you take a cab here?” he asked, walking to the Escalade.

“Yeah. It’s over there. I told him to wait for me.”

“Go pay him, and you can ride to the office with me.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back. Can you hold this?” I handed him my cup.

After paying the cab driver, I slid into the back of the Escalade next to Jack. He handed me my coffee, and I immediately brought the cup to my lips.

“I have some meetings I need you to reschedule when we get to the office,” he said.

“Okay.”

“How did you sleep last night?”

“Great,” I lied. “You?” I asked.

“Fantastic. Again, I feel like I need to reiterate what we talked about last night. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I will never have feelings for you.”

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