Page 25 of Baking it Merry

Daphne looked around.“Um…my coat was here on the sofa…”

“I put it inside.”And, with what he hoped was a boyish grin, he added, “You know, because I’m a control freak who doesn’t like anything out of place.”

She blushed but seemed to nod in agreement—either at his description or to staying so they could speak in private.

Motioning to the doorway on the far side of the living room, he let Daphne walk ahead of him.She came to a halt when she stepped into the room, nearly causing Tristan to bump into her.

“Why would you ask me to come into this bedroom?”she asked, spinning around to face him.

“This is where I placed your coat and purse.I knew they’d be fine in here.”

“Oh.Okay.”After letting out a soft breath, she looked at him expectantly.

“First, I’d like to apologize for moving everything around earlier,” he began.“And if it makes you feel any better, I realized it was a mistake, but then I panicked and couldn’t get anything back the way you did, so…I’m sorry.”

“Thank you,” she replied softly.“I’m sure that was hard for you to admit.”

“Second, I would genuinely feel better if you stayed for the party.I know you have plans, but…this is my first time hosting, and I feel like everyone’s expecting me to fail.”

“Why would you even think that?Clearly your mother trusted you with this or she never would have asked.”

“Because I’m the only single one.Everyone else is married and believe me, both of my sisters-in-law are amazing.They both have these incredible careers and every event they host is flawless.Do you really think asking me to host a dessert party was an accident?I mean…I’m sure they’re all expecting champagne and cookies and nothing more.”

“But…youweregoing to just serve champagne and cookies.”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he mentally counted to ten.“You get what I’m trying to say, right?Everyone’s going to be here with a bit of a critical eye and…”

“All the more reason for me not to be here, Tristan.Let them think you did this all on your own!”

“But I didn’t!Everything I tried to ‘fix’ was a mistake!I’m many things, but I’m not a liar.”Pausing, he took a step closer.“I’ll pay you double.”

“What?!”

Nodding, he explained.“I’ll pay you double what I already paid you if you stay.I just…I need a hostess, Daphne!Please!”

She bit her bottom lip—something that looked far more appealing than it should have—as she considered his offer.

“There’s no way I can be your hostess,” she said after a long moment.“That implies a level of…intimacy, and that’s not something we have.Most days, we can barely tolerate each other.However, I think we have a healthy respect for each other.But…all I’m going to end up doing is standing around feeling awkward.”

“That’s not…”

“And I saw the way you looked at my dress when I got here.Your entire face scrunched up like I was crazy.”

“You look a little like Mrs.Claus…”

Leaning in closer, she said, “And I have the matching hat in my purse.”

“What does this…?”

“No one is going to buy that I’m anything more than the caterer,” she argued.“Saying I’m the hostess is just wrong.Plus, youjustsaid that you’re not a liar.You don’t need me.You’re going to be fine.Trust me.”

In the distance, he heard the front door open, followed by voices.Apparently, his family was starting to arrive.“I really wish you’d reconsider,” he urgently blurted out.

Turning, Daphne walked over to the bed and scooped up her coat and purse.“Have a little faith,” she told him, but when she turned around, her heel caught on the small area rug he had under the bed, and she tripped with a small cry.Tristan immediately moved in and caught her in his arms, steadying her as they both straightened.

Her green eyes were like saucers, and they were standing so close that he could feel her breath on his skin.“Daphne, I…” he whispered.

“Oh my goodness!This is thebestholiday gift ever!”someone called out.

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