Page 67 of The Mistletoe Makeover

“What are you doing here?” I ask, gripping the collar of my robe, pulling it shut. Of course, it’shim.Because running into anyone else would be too easy.

“I’d like to ask you the same thing,” he says, his eyes dropping to the short robe I’m wearing before flicking to my face. “Especially since you’re in my changing room.”

“I thought this wasmychanging room,” I say. “I lost my way and ran into you.”

“I noticed.” When Jace smirks, his dimple deepens and that little fluttering feeling brushes against my chest. “But that still doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

I feel like a kid who’s been caught playing hooky from school. “My friends encouraged me to take a day off. But I promise I’ll still get my work done. And I honestly didn’t know you were going to be here.”

For a moment, Jace studies me in amusement. “I’m not taking attendance, Mia.”

“Then why are you here?”

Jace shoves his hands in his pockets and leans against the wall, like he’s posing for a photo shoot. The man doesn’t even need to try to look hot, he just does. “Ella was the one who asked me for spa recommendations, and I gave her the name of this place since I’m a regular here. Guess I forgot to lock the door.” He lifts a shoulder, and his mouth curls on one side, while my heart spins like a pinwheel.

“Anyone could have walked in on you,” I say.

“But they didn’t.Youdid. Guess I got lucky.”

I’m the lucky one.“If I move into your guest room, we’ll have to be more careful so it doesn’t happen again,” I say with a blush, thinking about the idea of living that close to Jace.

“The invitation’s still open,” he says. “And it would make it easier for us to work together. Allan is only there a few days a week, and I’m practicing during the day, so you’d have the house to yourself.”

I bite my lip. I can’t believe I’d choose sleeping on a sagging couch that gives me a neck ache over staying in Jace’s luxury home. I’d be crazy not to take him up on it.

“I guess we could make it work. Just lock your door, okay?” I half-tease.

“Got it,” he says with a grin. “Are you free to move in tonight? My chef prepped an amazing meal, and I’d hate to see it go to waste.”

Everything in me feels knotted up, tight. “If I have time to pack tonight. I still have work to do and an endless list of emails to respond to.”

“I’ll send someone over to help. The sooner you can move in,the better for your neck.”

Does this man have a small army I don’t know about? It’s like he snaps his fingers and things get done instantly, like royalty.

I rub my neck and feel the dull ache from last night. Despite my better judgement, the answer tumbles out before I can stop it. “In that case, I’ll be over tonight.”

There’s a familiar knock at the door, and the same hostess I met earlier glances into the room. “Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Knight. I thought you were alone.”

Whatever this lady thinks, she hides it well, keeping her expression fixed. “Will both of you be indulging in our detox bath today?”

Heat floods my face as I realize what she’s suggesting.

“No!” we both say quickly.

“We’re not together,” I stammer.

Then I tighten my grip on my robe and hurry past her, unsure how I’m ever going to get Jace’s image out of my head.

SIXTEEN

Jace

Inviting Mia to stay with me might have been a little rash. Especially when I’m determined not to get involved in any complicated relationships since the whole Ava blowup.

“Too late now,”I mutter as her car pulls up.

I’m suddenly thrust back to feeling like an awkward, gangly seventh grader. I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans and glance at my open grey flannel layered over a T-shirt.

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