Page 8 of Merry Kissmas

“Go have a seat so it doesn’t look like you just got here.”Todd nudges my arm.

Good idea.I scramble to take a seat in the waiting area a few steps away, grabbing a magazine and holding it up in front of my face while I wait.

“Have a great trip.We’ll be in touch after the holidays,” Enzo tells Pierce.

“Oh no rush, enjoy your time with your family.Merry Christmas.”

From behind my magazine, I stick my tongue out at Pierce for sounding so relaxed and unfazed.

Why is he interviewing for a job in New York when he’s a professor in London?My gut twists with the knowledge that he has more experience than me.He’s older and teaches marketing for shit’s sake.But does he have life experience?

I bet not,mate.

I hear Todd and Enzo exchange words, but I’m too in my head about how Pierce probably just killed it in his interview to make sense of them.

A large hand lands on the spine of the magazine, startling me, and spins it around.“I don’t recall seeing ‘upside-down reader’ on your resume.”

It’s Enzo.Enzo Mancini.And I look like a fool.

My cheeks heat, and my hands tremble slightly.I have nothing to say.Nothing to excuse why I would be pretending to read a magazine.Panic flares in my veins.

“I was just checking out the ads from a different angle.”I inwardly sigh and wish there was a hole around here that could swallow me up.

He hums low in his throat.“Interesting.Enzo Mancini.”He sticks out his hand in front of him.The same hand Pierce just touched.

Jesus, get him out of my head.

“Brynn.Brynn Russell, but you know that.”

I hear Todd sigh as if I’m personally disappointing him.Maybe he sees the potential for our future lunches drifting away like I do.

“Good to meet you, Miss Russell.”

We shake hands, and I try to be firm, but not too firm, and not weak either.

Enzo smiles, but his eyes dart in the direction over my shoulder.“Pierce, did you need something?”

So, I’m Miss Russell, but he’s Pierce?I can already feel the favoritism.

“No,” Pierce says.

I circle around and find him standing still without his usual confident air about him.

Surprise.

It’s nice to see him a little off-kilter.

“I thought I forgot my cell phone.”He pats the inside of his suit jacket and retrieves it.“Got it.Have a Merry Christmas, and don’t forget to send me a picture of that suit, Todd.”

I shoot Todd a look accusing him of playing both sides, and he shrugs.

“I’ll tag you.”

“Be safe.Don’t break anything.”Enzo waves to Pierce.

Or do, I think, even though I have no idea where he’s spending his holiday.

Pierce’s gaze doesn’t leave mine at first, but then it slides down my body and warmth spreads in its path.By the time his green irises meet my eyes again, I’m ready to drip into a puddle like a snowman under a heat lamp.God, how can he still have that effect on me after all this time?

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