Page 53 of Stranded for Christmas with my Boss

Alyssa’s face nearly pales, her brow creasing with worry. “Like…our relationship?”

I can’t help but chuckle a little, making her expression relax. “About work. Obviously, us dating while in our current positions would look…questionable.”

Alyssa nods in understanding, the tension on her face moving to her shoulders. She tightens her grip on my hands. “I really like working at Soul Flames. I don’t want to quit, but…I want to be with you more.”

“You like me that much, huh?”

Alyssa rolls her eyes at me, a playful smirk crossing her face. “Maybe. I have no clue why.”

As much as I want to tease her, we still haven’t figured out a solution. It’s a serious situation. If we’re going to publicly date, it’s going to affect our professional relationship, and I just don’t think keeping her as my assistant is a good idea.

Even if she’s the best assistant I’ve ever had.

“I don’t want you to quit either, but there will have to be some sort of change,” I tell her as the air around us becomes stiffer andheavier, tension hovering around us and over us. It’ll be a tough decision, but it will be a necessary one.

Sacrifices have to be made.

Nervousness gleams in her eyes, but she nods. “I trust whatever you decide is best.”

I can see a flicker of doubt in her eyes, a worry that I’ve come to recognize.“But…do you think people will see it as favoritism?” she asks quietly, biting her lip.

“Favoritism?” I repeat. “Alyssa, you’ve earned everything. Everyone in the office knows how hard you work, how much you’ve put into this company, and how good you are at what you do.”

“But they don’t know…” she begins, her voice trailing off.

“They don’t know us,” I finish for her. “And they won’t, unless we decide to make it known. We’ll take this one step at a time. Together.”

She nods, but I can still see the hesitation in her eyes. I squeeze her hands tighter, wanting to chase away every single one of her fears.

“We’ll figure it out. I’m not going to let anything—or anyone—make you feel less than you are.” I kiss her knuckles, drawing a smile back onto her face. “I’ll just need to think outside of the box.”

“Go down a less traditional path?” Alyssa offers.

Her words make my thoughts stir, an idea beginning to bloom from the depths of my mind. It’s a tricky idea, but if I can pull enough strings and nature works in my favor, maybe I can pull it off.

“Exactly,” I reply before glancing over toward the kitchenette. “I’m pretty sure I saw some hot chocolate packets over there. Could you fix us some while I make a quick phone call?”

Her face brightens as it does when any sort of holiday activity is mentioned. She squeezes my hands before turning andbounding to the kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets for mugs.

I smile to myself as I make my way to the bedroom, shutting the door so that she can’t hear me. It’s best if I keep this to myself for now. If it fails, she won’t be disappointed. If I succeed, it’ll be the best Christmas surprise ever.

I pull my phone out of my back pocket and hit the call button on Austin’s contact, grateful that I’m still able to get service out here. The phone buzzes a few times before Austin’s voice sounds over the speaker.

“Are you still stuck up there, man? It’s Christmas Eve!”

He doesn’t have to remind me of my unfortunate predicament, but he may be able to help me fix it.

“The weather guy said the snow is supposed to stop tomorrow morning, right?” I ask him.

“That’s what he said, but weathermen aren’t exactly the most reliable folks.”

I have to put my trust in them now whether I want to or not. It’s not likeIcan make any sort of weather predictions while I’m stuck out here.

“I need a favor for tomorrow morning,” I tell him as my eyes flicker to the closed bedroom door, hoping that Alyssa can’t hear me from the kitchen.

“What kind of favor?” Austin questions me, confusion lacing his voice.

I’m glad he asked.

---