Page 59 of Baking it Merry

“Freaking twinkly lights.”Tossing his coat down on the sofa, he immediately walked over to his liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of scotch.He didn’t drink very often, but tonight he felt like he needed it.

Glass in hand, he walked over to the Christmas tree and stared at all the ornaments.They were all very tasteful and he had a gold and white theme, but it was lifeless.He thought of Daphne’s tree and the bright and colorful ornaments.Some of them were definitely homemade and most of them didn’t match, but it was a tree of someone who lived.

“And what the hell am I doing?”he wondered aloud.He worked a job that wasn’t fulfilling.He lived in a house that lacked character.And he was a grown man who was so desperate for his father’s approval that he may have just ruined his chance at a meaningful relationship with a really great woman.

“I’m an idiot.”

Obviously there wasn’t anyone there to tell him he wasn’t, but he also knew everyone would agree with that assessment.He was rigid and uptight, and now he could add gutless to the list.

Turning away from the tree, he sat down on the sofa and tossed back the scotch, letting it burn his throat.It was no more than he deserved.He should be calling Daphne and apologizing.Hell, he should be driving over to her place and begging her to forgive him.

As if on cue, his phone dinged with an incoming text.Even as he pulled it from his pocket, he knew it was going to be her.

Daphne: Just got home.Hope you made it home safely.

Daphne: And again, I’m sorry.

Collapsing back against the cushions, he sighed.His emotions were too volatile tonight for him to call.So he took the coward’s way out—which would be a surprise to no one—and texted her back.

Tristan: Just got home too.Glad you made it home safely.

“God,” he groaned.“Why am I so damn lame?”

Tristan: Can we talk tomorrow?

Part of him figured she’d either respond with a yes or no rather quickly.

But she didn’t.

Hell, there was no sign that she’d even read his message.

So instead of sitting there waiting, he got up—leaving his phone on the sofa—and went and changed into a pair of flannel pajama pants and a t-shirt.

That killed four minutes.

Walking back out to the living room, he picked up the phone and saw there still wasn’t a response.

Now he went and put his glass in the dishwasher, properly hung up his coat, and turned off all the holiday lights.

Still nothing.

“Seriously?I know I was a jerk, but she could at least acknowledge my damn question!”And he was about to tell her just that in a text message when she finally responded.

Daphne: I think it would be best if we both took the rest of the weekend to calm down.I understand your reaction and I’m not blaming you for being upset, but…I’m upset too.

“O-kay…” Unfortunately, he couldn’t tell if they were going to be okay after this.Had he ruined everything?

Daphne: I’ll be back at work on Tuesday so we can talk when I’m done for the day.

That was almost three days away.Honestly, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to wait that long.

Tristan: Can I take you to lunch on Monday?I know it’s your prep day, but I can bring something to you.Please.

And that’s when he knew this woman meant something to him.It was a hell of a time to figure it out after he had started a fight with her.

Daphne: I honestly can’t, Tristan.I have so many orders coming up and I’m a little overwhelmed with everything right now.It will have to be Tuesday.I’m sorry.

Dammit, he hated that she was the one apologizing again, so he did what he knew he had to.

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